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Raw Cacao Cupcakes - A slightly more healthy Easter treat

A Slightly More Healthy Easter Cupcake Recipe

Published on March 24, 2016 โ€ข Last updated January 28, 2019 by Elizabeth Atia
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A somewhat more healthy chocolate Easter treat made with raw cacao.

Raw Cacao Cupcakes - A slightly more healthy Easter treat

Wednesdays are pudding nights in our house. This (in theory) stops the kids from asking for sweet things after every meal through the rest of the week. In theory. It doesn’t actually work like this, but I do try.

Some of you might have noticed that I’m on a healthy eating kick at the moment with my strength and fitness training for my upcoming epic 250 mile mountain bike cycle and mountain climb this summer (please consider sponsoring me – I’m raising money for the RNLI!). I’ve never been so aware of what’s been going into my body, and I’ve never felt stronger or more fit. I’m feeling on top of the world, to be honest!

I still love chocolate though, and sweet treats, but I’m trying to make them a bit more healthy. Small steps.

Raw Cacao Cupcakes - A slightly more healthy Easter treat

These cupcakes are made with golden wholegrain plain flour from Marriage’s, which is a sweeter, milder wholemeal flour with a lighter colour, ideal for biscuits and cakes. It provides all the goodness and fibre of wholemeal flour, but it’s still quite light and resulting bakes are not stodgy like a lot of wholegrain flour bakes are.

It’s also made with dark brown sugar (just the supermarket variety, nothing special), instead of refined caster sugar. Even though it’s still sugar it’s sugar with a lot of the nutrients still in it, like potassium, calcium and iron. They’re present in minimal quantities, but it’s still better than white sugar which has no nutritional value whatsoever.

I’ve reduced the butter, and therefore the fat content and I’ve also used some superfoods raw cacao powder, kindly given to me to play with by BioGlan. Raw cacao provides a whole host of nutrients and it’s been used for generations in Mexican, Central and South American cultures for it’s invigorating and healthy properties.

And it tastes fantastic.

These chocolate topped cupcakes were my second attempt at making some Easter cupcakes for the kids. For the first lot my husband had specially picked up, at my request, some Easter coloured cupcake cases from a shop in town. They were rubbish! The cupcakes, when baked, hid the colour of the cases. They looked horrid before I’d even decorated them.

Raw Cacao Cupcakes - A slightly more healthy Easter treat

My attempts at naturally colouring the buttercream frosting with spinach powder from Absolute Spice, although successful in taste and texture, were wholly unsuccessful in the decorating department as I ran out of piping bags and have discovered that freezer bags are not a good alternative. Oh, and whizzing up freeze dried fruit with some butter in attempts to make coloured frosting doesn’t work either. As for using yogurt coated peanuts as ‘Easter egg’ decorations? I liked them, but the kids were not so enamoured. They picked off the decorations, scraped off the icing and just ate the cakes.

My second attempt at icing was a bit more healthy, and it’s a recipe my husband prefers. Vita Coco organic coconut oil is mixed with raw cacao and sweetened with some Canadian maple syrup and a touch of vanilla bean paste and decorated with raw cacao nibs. I used a fork to mix the ingredients, but you could always whiz it up in a blender for a smoother texture.

As an afterthought I stuck some Caramel bunnies from Hotel Chocolat on the top, but you could always decorate with whatever you fancy. They ate the chocolates, still scraped off the frosting (who doesn’t like frosting?!) and devoured the cupcakes with glee.

Pudding night. Sorted. Even though my husband said the chocolate frosting looked like the rabbits had had a bit of a messy poo on the top of the cupcakes (the the rabbits themselves slightly remind me of The Cat in the tv series Mad Dogs).

The cupcakes themselves are approximately 145 calories each, without the icing and decoration, or 214 calories with the frosting.

Raw Cacao Cupcakes - A slightly more healthy Easter treat

Raw Cacao Easter Cupcakes

A slightly more healthy chocolate Easter treat made with raw cacao.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Author: Elizabeth

Ingredients

for the cupcakes

  • 150 grams plain wholegrain flour I used Marriages
  • 150 grams dark brown soft sugar
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 115 ml water
  • 30 grams raw cacao I used BioGlan Superfoods
  • 60 grams butter
  • 1/2 tsp Madagascar bourbon vanilla bean paste I use Neilsen Massey
  • 75 grams full fat milk
  • 1 large free-range egg

for the frosting

  • 80 grams coconut oil solid form
  • 20 grams raw cacao I used BioGlan Superfoods
  • 2 tbsp Canadian maple syrup
  • 1/4 tsp Madagascar bourbon vanilla bean paste

decorations

  • raw cacao nibs
  • Chocolate decorations as desired
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This recipe card may contain affiliate ingredient and equipment links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 170 C (fan), 190 C and line a 12 hole muffin tin with cupcake cases.
  • Sift together the flour, sugar and bicarbonate of soda and set aside.
  • Place the water, raw cacao and butter in a small saucepan and gently heat until completely melted.
  • In a measuring jug, measure the milk and add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined.
  • Add the cacao mixture and the milk/egg mixture to the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until well combined.
  • Spoon into the prepared cases and bake for 15- 20 minutes, until well risen and a skewer inserted into the centre of one of the cupcakes comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • To prepare the icing, beat the solid coconut oil, cacao, maple syrup and vanilla together until creamy. Spread over the top of the cupcakes and decorate as desired.

Environmental Information

Tried this recipe?Mention @TangoRaindrop or tag #elizabethskitchendiary - we'd love to see what you've been making!

Click here to view the nutritional information for this recipe.

OTHER SLIGHTLY MORE HEALTHY EASTER TREATS YOU MIGHT LIKE
Chocolate Dipped Salted Figs by Celery & Cupcakes
Nettle, Lemon & White Chocolate Cupcakes by Tin and Thyme
Roasted Beetroot and Raw Cacao Cupcakes by Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary
Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns by Fab Food 4 All
Gluten and Grain Free Hot Cross Buns by Simply Sensational Food
Superfood Cake Bars by Veggie Desserts

LINKING UP WITH SOME FOOD BLOGGING CHALLENGES
Recipe of the Week by A Mummy Too
Alphabakes “C” by Caroline Makes and The More Than Occasional Baker
No Waste Food Challenge by Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary (my flour was out of date!)
Simply Eggcellent by Belleau Kitchen
We Should Cocoa by Tin & Thyme, guest hosted by Lancashire Food
Treat Petite by The Baking Explorer and Cakeyboi

If you want to be kept up to date on my recipes, occasional craft tutorials, adventure stories and giveaways then please subscribe to my weekly newsletter; it gets sent out every Monday morning if there is new content. Your email address wonโ€™t be passed on to anyone, you will never be spammed and you are free to unsubscribe at any time, no questions asked. Make sure you confirm your subscription or you won’t receive the newsletter – if it hasn’t arrived check your junk mail folder.

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With thanks to Marriage’s, BioGlan, Absolute Spice, Hotel Chocolat and Vita Coco for all the product samples. This is not a paid post, although it does contain Amazon affiliate links, highlighted in orange. Any purchase you make through these links (even if it’s not the products mentioned) will earn us a small commission, and you will be directly helping pay our car garage bill, because the bleeping thing has broken down. Again.

Category: All Manner of Sweet Things, Cake, Chocolate, RecipeTag: cacao, chocolate, cupcake, Easter

About Elizabeth Atia

Daydream adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Calls Shetland home.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Riz

    October 17, 2016 at 4:55 am

    Healthy cupcakes??! Okay. That’s it. I’m declaring it! You win at life.

    Reply
  2. Kelly Simpson

    April 10, 2016 at 10:18 pm

    These look yummy and really healthy too!

    Reply
  3. kim neville

    April 10, 2016 at 1:55 pm

    The bunny cupcakes look too nice to eat

    Reply
  4. Emma White

    April 3, 2016 at 11:54 am

    oh wow these look incredible and I can get away eating more as they are healthy love that idea

    Reply
  5. bakingaddict

    April 2, 2016 at 3:12 pm

    Good luck with your moutain bike cycle and mountain climb! These cupcakes are super cute especially with the caramel bunny on top. Love that you’ve made the cupcake healthier – I’d happily eat one or maybe two of these! Thanks for entering AlphaBakes.

    Reply
  6. ashleigh allan

    April 1, 2016 at 11:48 am

    These look amazing!

    Reply
  7. Natasha Mairs

    March 29, 2016 at 1:59 pm

    I am loving these Elizabeth! And the bunnies are so cute. WE had some of them from Hotel Chocolat, the kids loved them

    Reply
  8. Divya@Divya's Culinary Journey

    March 29, 2016 at 1:32 pm

    These cupcakes look cute! My kids will love them!

    Reply
  9. Alexandra Ashton

    March 29, 2016 at 11:29 am

    Mmmmm these look delicious, the caramel bunnies from Hotel Chocolat especially! I need to bake more x

    Reply
  10. Sarah

    March 29, 2016 at 10:44 am

    How yummy do these look ๐Ÿ™‚ I love the little touch of little rabbits on top too. Look delicious and beautifully presented ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  11. Katerina

    March 29, 2016 at 9:05 am

    Our Easter is in two weeks so I have plenty of time to make these cuties!

    Reply
  12. qualitypoint

    March 28, 2016 at 8:14 am

    Wow!!Looking so beautiful
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAN5SnpxGVs

    Reply
  13. Sally - Mycustardpie

    March 28, 2016 at 5:37 am

    So pretty. With you on the natural colourings – the bright vivid type laden with chemicals always look so unappetising to me.

    Reply
  14. William Gould

    March 27, 2016 at 8:40 am

    We have some raw cacao powder we’ve not used. I’ll bookmark this page and show my wife later. They look really yummy!

    Reply
  15. Laura Hartley

    March 26, 2016 at 5:18 pm

    This.. is healthy? Seems too good to be true!! I’ve heard so much about cacao and cacao nibs so I’d be curious to cook with them. I’ve only ever had the nibs once before and that was in guacamole! (an interesting addition..)

    Reply
  16. Kat (The Baking Explorer)

    March 26, 2016 at 2:48 pm

    It’s fantastic to see a healthier twist on Easter treats as it can be such a carolie heavy season! Best of luck with your bike ride and climb. Thanks for entering these into Treat Petite!

    Reply
  17. Rebecca Smith

    March 26, 2016 at 2:24 pm

    They look delicious – and the fact that they are healthier is a bonus!

    Reply
  18. Jessica McDonnell

    March 26, 2016 at 1:46 pm

    Those cupcakes sound so yummy and look great, I’d love to try making these.

    Reply
  19. Charli Bruce

    March 26, 2016 at 11:29 am

    These look amazing, I am always so jealous of everything you post! They sound like they would taste absolutely amazing too x

    Reply
  20. Helen at CAsa Costello

    March 25, 2016 at 10:26 pm

    You are so much more organised than me to have a dedicated pudding night – Even if it doesn’t always work! I use wholemeal flour quite a bit in my baking – makes me feel so virtuous. Those bunnies are super cute toppers too!

    Reply
  21. Dom

    March 25, 2016 at 9:04 am

    I mean there is nothing sexier than a ‘slightly more healthy easter cupcake’ right? I love these and it’s very good of you to bring those calories down a little. I find I suffer terribly from a sweet tooth when i’ve been sugar free for about three days. I’m on a low-carb diet during the week and it’s killing me! These are so pretty and a welcome addition to Simply Eggcellent, so thank you and Happy Easter x

    Reply
  22. WhatLauraLoves

    March 25, 2016 at 2:45 am

    Great to see a healthier option as theres so many over indulgent sweet treats around at this time xxx

    Reply
  23. Emma T

    March 25, 2016 at 12:57 am

    Yum, they look good. I’ve got some raw cacao powder, but haven’t made anything with it yet. Really should ry it out

    Reply
  24. Rhian Westbury

    March 24, 2016 at 11:56 pm

    These are so cute and really yummy, I always use wholemeal flour in my cakes because it’s better than normal flour x

    Reply
  25. Camilla

    March 24, 2016 at 11:39 pm

    These cupcakes are so cute and great that they are slightly healthier. Good luck with your cycling adventure and thanks for linking up to my Hot Cross Buns:-)

    Reply
  26. Mandi

    March 24, 2016 at 10:53 pm

    Half of mine scrape off the icing and the other half only eat the icing, so it works out quite well, the bunnies look lovely, and the fact that they are healthier, can only be a good thing.

    Reply
  27. Oliver Long

    March 24, 2016 at 10:51 pm

    OMG how good do these look!! Thanks for the recipe… I’m not great at baking but I’m saving this one for when I try. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Oliver โ€ข http://suedeandsymphony.com

    Reply
  28. Liz Mays

    March 24, 2016 at 10:49 pm

    Super clever ingredient picks! The cacao cupcakes are really cute and they sound good too.

    Reply
  29. Leila Benhamida

    March 24, 2016 at 10:29 pm

    Wonderful recipe.

    Reply
  30. Stella

    March 24, 2016 at 9:36 pm

    You are so good at this. I wish I could bake all these.

    Reply
  31. Lynette

    March 24, 2016 at 6:19 pm

    Well I would have no problem scoffing these cupcakes and eating all the icing ๐Ÿ™‚ Yummy!

    Reply
  32. Lancashire Food

    March 24, 2016 at 5:52 pm

    So cute, almost healthy and I’m with you who doesn’t like frosting. Thanks for linking up to we should cocoa

    Reply
  33. Sarah Bailey

    March 24, 2016 at 5:42 pm

    Oh wow they look absolutely wonderful – I would just love to take a bite and ohh yummm <3 x

    Reply
  34. gingey bites

    March 24, 2016 at 4:47 pm

    These are great although I think the first ones looked ok too. You’re so clever to come up with something chocolatey and a treat but still healthy(ish). V impressive!

    Reply
  35. rachael

    March 24, 2016 at 4:32 pm

    they look delicious and im pretty sure that much like christmas, chocolate at easter doesn’t count ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  36. Choclette

    March 24, 2016 at 3:59 pm

    Oh no, still giggling from your husband’s description Elizabeth. I’m saying nothing! I actually really like your spinach icing with yogurt nuts, they look really elegant. I’ve heard of marriage’s flour and would be interested to try some, though I’m trying hard not to be offended by the idea that all my cakes are stodgy ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Thanks for linking to my nettle cupcakes and Happy Easter.

    Reply
  37. Urvashi

    March 24, 2016 at 3:24 pm

    Some lovely healthy links here. Thanks for sharing. I think both batches look cute x

    Reply
  38. Chris @thinlyspread

    March 24, 2016 at 2:43 pm

    I shall be making these immediately! I love that yours scraped the icing and decorations off, that is exactly what my lot would do too! I’m judiciously ignoring the ‘looks like poo’ bit – so many food stuffs do look a bit dodgy, I’d never eat anything!

    Reply
  39. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry

    March 24, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    Healthy easter cupcakes – Now heck yeah.

    Reply

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About Elizabeth

Adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Loves bikes. Calls Shetland home. Read Moreโ€ฆ

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