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+ servings
chocolate cupcake with a thick creamy frosting

Chocolate Football Cupcakes (vegan, dairy-free, whole grain)

Author Erin Dooner
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16 cupcakes
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 58 minutes
These moist chocolate football cupcakes have a simple chocolate fudge frosting, naturally dyed green coconut grass and a chocolate peanut butter football truffle on top!

Ingredients

For the cupcakes:

  • 1 1/2 cups (355 ml) unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) melted refined coconut oil or another oil of choice
  • 2/3 cup (133 grams) brown sugar or coconut sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar or raw sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon espresso powder see notes
  • 1 1/2 cups (188 grams) flour see notes
  • 1/2 cup (58 grams) Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the frosting this yields 1 cup of frosting:

  • 1 cup (170 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/4 cup (56 grams) refined coconut oil or butter for a non-vegan / dairy-free version
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup (40 grams) powdered sugar sifted if lumpy
  • pinch salt

Instructions

For the cupcakes:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and line two muffin pans with a total of 16 cupcake liners.
  • In a large mixing bowl, stir together the almond milk and vinegar. Let sit for 5 minutes. Then stir in the melted coconut oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract and espresso powder.
    1 1/2 cups (355 ml) unsweetened almond milk, 1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar, 1/2 cup (113 grams) melted refined coconut oil, 2/3 cup (133 grams) brown sugar, 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon espresso powder
  • In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add this to the wet mixture and stir just until combined.
    1 1/2 cups (188 grams) flour, 1/2 cup (58 grams) Dutch-process cocoa powder, 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda, 3/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Fill the liners slightly more than half-way full and bake for 16-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean or with some moist crumbs (not raw batter). Let cool for 5 minutes and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

For the frosting:

  • In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, mix together the chocolate chips, almond milk, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Stir until melted and then gradually whisk in the powdered sugar until completely smooth. Let the pan cool for about 15 minutes (or until cool enough to place in the refrigerator) and then place the pan in the refrigerator for about 10-20 minutes, stirring after every 5 minutes, or until firm enough to spread on the cupcakes. Spread 1 tablespoon of frosting on top of each cupcake.
    1 cup (170 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/4 cup (60 ml) unsweetened almond milk, 1/4 cup (56 grams) refined coconut oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/3 cup (40 grams) powdered sugar, pinch salt

For decorating:

  • Sprinkle about 1 1/2 teaspoons of coconut grass over the frosting. Stick a toothpick in the football truffle and place on the cupcake. Can be kept at room temperature for about 4-6 hours. Then place in the refrigerator. Let come to room temperature (about 1-2 hours) before serving.
    16 chocolate peanut butter football truffles, 1/2 cup naturally dyed shredded coconut

Notes

  • I prefer refined coconut oil, which doesn't have any coconut taste. If you use unrefined coconut oil, there may be some coconut flavor in these cupcakes and the frosting.
  • The espresso powder just enhances the chocolate flavor. You can't taste any coffee in the cupcakes.
  • For the flour, you can use whole wheat flour, white whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour for a non-whole grain version. 
  • Use dairy-free / vegan chocolate chips, if necessary.
  • The nutrition information provided is calculated as a courtesy and is only an estimate. I am not a licensed nutritionist or dietitian. For the most accurate nutritional data, consult a professional or use your preferred calculator. Values don't include the truffles or the shredded coconut.

Nutrition

Calories: 214kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 188mgPotassium: 133mgFiber: 2gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 6IUCalcium: 36mgIron: 2mgNet Carbs: 32
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