Vegan Chocolate and Cherry Cupcakes with Cream or Black Forest Gateau in vegan cupcake form! Bursting with cherry flavour with a rich chocolate base and topped with dairy-free coconut cream.
Cherry season is here! And I'm celebrating with my favourite way to use cherries... Black Forest Cake!
Or in this case, cupcakes. It's like a condensed version of Black Forest Gateau and it's AMAZING.
Whether you're vegan or not, you will love these cherry chocolate cupcakes. They're rich, chocolatey and completely indulgent!
They're also been tested with gluten-free flour (I used Dove's all-purpose gluten-free flour blend) and it turned out great!
Despite containing no actual chocolate, it's the most chocolatey cake I've ever tasted!
I have to say, I think my adapted version is even more chocolatey.
I think I'm going to have to try and make this into a full Black Forest Gateau next time, for a real show-stopping cake! Stay tuned to see how that goes...
I did intend on making my own jam for these cupcakes, originally but the weather has been so unbearably hot these past couple of days that I couldn't stand the thought of using the stove for any longer than 5 minutes!
Plus, you can find some delicious fruit-sweetened jams at the supermarket.
I think I will try creating my own jam recipes when the weather cools down.
There's something very satisfying about homemade jam.
I would recommend preparing the whipped coconut cream in advance.
Chill it in the fridge overnight, follow these easy instructions on how to make it and then chill it a bit longer before piping it or smoothing it onto the cakes.
It's not strictly necessary, as the cream should stay stable at room temperature, but it does make it easier this way and gives a cleaner look, I think.
These cupcakes are:
- Dairy-free, eggless & vegan
- Easy to make gluten-free (just use gluten-free flour in place of the plain - tested and approved!)
- Free from refined sugars
- Nut-free
- Soy-free
- Can be made kid-friendly - just leave out the Kirsch!
- Ultra chocolatey and rich
And a bonus moody shot because I couldn't resist taking more photos on my second recipe test.
📖 Recipe
Vegan Black Forest Cupcakes
Delicious, rich chocolate cupcakes filled with cherries and topped with coconut cream. Super indulgent and flavourful. Easy to make gluten-free (tested with Doves gluten-free flour).
Ingredients
- 175 g plain flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 1 tsp bicarbonate soda
- A pinch of salt
- 50 g cocoa powder
- 225 g light brown sugar
- 275 ml hot water
- 60 ml sunflower oil, or other mild-tasting vegetable oil
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (to react with the bicarbonate soda)
For the filling
- Black cherry jam, I used a fruit-sweetened one
- optional A few drops of Kirsch or brandy
For the topping
- Whipped coconut cream
- Fresh cherries
- Dark chocolate, grated
Instructions
- To make the chocolate cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 180c. / 350f. and line a muffin tray with 12 cases.
- Mix the first five ingredients together until well combined.
- Stir in the remaining wet ingredients until the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
- Divide the mixture equally between the 12 muffin cases and bake for 15 minutes. Use a cake tester or skewer to test the middle of the cupcakes come out clean. If not, bake for a further 5 minutes.
- Leave to cool then cut small holes in the centre of the cupcakes. You can use a cupcake corer, apple corer or a small sharp knife to hollow out the centres.
To fill & decorate
- Fill the cupcake holes with the cherry jam (and Kirsch, if using).
- Make the coconut whipped cream, according to these instructions, then pipe or dollop onto the tops of the cupcakes.
- Decorate with a single cherry then serve!
- These are best kept refrigerated and can be stored for up to 3-4 days. Enjoy!
The Vegan 8 says
Wow girl, these look GORGEOUS!!!
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
A dollop of whipped cream and a cherry sitting atop a rich chocolate cup of cake--that is the stuff dessert perfection is made of <3 In there whole form they are adorable. Sliced in half with that jammy center exposed they are so elegant and decadent and so dang ENTICING! I definitely agree, coconut sugar makes chocolate things extra rich somehow. And I love the dark moody shot, you work so well on both ends of the photo backdrop spectrum :)
Aimee says
oh thank you so much Natalie, you are so lovely :-) I adore your photography <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
These are lovely! The filling is just perfect! You know I love cherries and cherry season is just the best!!! Their decadent sweetness can't be beat!
Aimee says
How can anyone not love cherries? They are one of the best fruit, for sure! Thanks Rebecca :-)
Anna says
Aimee, they look fantastic!!!! Everything that I would expect of cherry cupcake! And agree with you, making you own jam is strangely satisfying!!! :) Can't wait to try them!!! X
Aimee says
Thank you Ania! And thanks for your feedback about the dark cupcake cases, I'm glad I didn't go for red! See you soon my dear :-) x
Mara says
Well, I have to admit I've never eaten cherries before...I think I should change that soon :D
These cupcakes look sooooo amazing!
Aimee says
Whaaaaaaat? Mara, go to the shop now and buy some! I'm sure you would create something stunning with them :-)