LIGHTER CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES, healthier, lower-sugar & preservative, butter-free, budget friendly, portable

Are your kids begging for an indulgence while you're trying to keep them healthy? 

first posted 2017; updated 2025

Lighter, Healthier, Lower-Sugar Chocolate Cupcakes
perfect for lunchboxes or an after school treats 

These light chocolate cupcakes could be the answer.  For one thing, there's only enough batter for 6-8 medium cupcakes, reducing temptation.  For another, it's a one-bowl wonder and easy enough for the kids to make.  

They're also healthier than most: 

• no butter
• wholemeal flour
• free of common wheat if you use spelt flour
• some sugar replaced with dried unsweetened coconut 

The ones in the photo were for a special occasion; they were iced with melted chocolate and sprinkled with with nuts & candied ginger.  For an ordinary family treat, a light dusting of icing sugar or dribbles of melted chocolate would be enough.

Cost: £2.50'ish, more for spelt flour and plant milk

Feeds: 6-8 but recipe multiplies easily

Ingred:  

   

    65gm/2 1/3 oz self-raising wholemeal flour (add 1/2 tsp baking powder if flour is plain)
    20gm/3/4oz white flour
    2 generous tablespoons cocoa (not drinking chocolate)

    1/2 generous tsp baking powder

    1/2 tsp instant coffee (opt)

    50gm/1 2/3 oz sugar

    15gm/1/2 oz unsweetened dried shredded coconut

    75 ml sunflower or light veggie oil

    75 ml dairy or plant milk

     1 large egg

     1/2 tsp vanilla 

     

 Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350f/180c/170f; line 8 muffin tins with paper liners
2. Place all ingred in a deep bowl
3. Beat with electric beaters, a stand-alone mixer, or a whisk until well-blended, 2-4 mins
4. Fill paper liners 2/3 full
5. Bake 18-20 mins; a toothpick in the centre should come out dry
6. Cool completely before decorating 

Toppings: 

Melt about 35gm dark cooking chocolate:

• spread melted chocolate over cupcakes; add chopped walnuts & sugared ginger or drained ginger in syrup
• Add a tablespoon or two of milk to the melted chocolate; dribble over cupcakes

OR for dairy free, lightly dust cupcakes with icing sugar 

                                                               More kid-friendly baking onNav Bar: Recipes1 

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This recipe has been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  It may not be reproduced without the author's written permission