A chocolate cupcake recipe. These rich and decadent chocolate cupcakes are light, moist, and are filled with caramel, and topped with a chocolate buttercream and hazelnut drip. These super moist chocolate cupcakes are the perfect centerpiece for any celebration.
In this chocolate cupcakes filled recipe I will be going through how to make chocolate cupcakes vegan and answering your FAQs such as ‘how long do chocolate cupcakes take to bake’ ‘chocolate cupcakes decorating ideas’ ‘how to make chocolate cupcakes gluten free’ and so much more.

A really great thing about this chocolate cupcakes easy recipe is how versatile it is. Which is what makes this recipe best. For example, you can make this into a chocolate and strawberry cupcake or perhaps you might prefer adding in some chopped walnuts or pecans instead, for some texture!
I’ll also be sharing some more flavor variations and mix in’s below. And would highly recommend you check that part of this post out!
These super moist chocolate cupcakes require just one bowl to come together and are relatively quick to make from start to finish!

If you’re looking for more gluten free recipes to add to your baking list check out my Hot Chocolate Pancakes and Cinnamon and Apple Cake
Expert Baking Tips on how to make this chocolate cupcakes dairy free
Although this chocolate cupcakes recipe uk is super simple to make, here are just a few expert tips I'd recommend:
- For the chocolate cupcakes icing - making vegan buttercream light and fluffy can be quite difficult, especially when vegan/dairy free butter can be quite stiff. So I've put together a simple guide on how you can make your vegan buttercream perfect every time. Check it out here.
- For this recipe will be using apple puree, you can buy this from any grocery store or you can make it your own.
- Make sure to divide the batter evenly between the 2 tins, you can use a measuring scale for more precision.
- If you wanted to pipe buttercream swirls on the top of your cake. Use a large 2D star tip and piping bag.
Master the art of baking GF, DF & Vegan
Baking Free From 101
How make chocolate cupcakes dairy free
A chocolate cupcake recipe - Ingredients
- Gluten free self raising Flour – Paired with a teaspoon of xanthan gum to give more stability to the cake to prevent it from crumbling. However, if you’d prefer not to make these gluten-free simply substitute the gluten-free flour for normal self raising flour. There’s also no need to add xanthan gum. As the gluten in the normal flour will prevent the cake from crumbling.
- Chocolate spread – This will act as our butter. I used Fine and Raws chocolate hazelnut spread.
- Caster sugar – I like to use caster sugar in my cakes which is just very refined sugar. So if you can’t find caster sugar I’d recommend using very refined granulated sugar.
- Cocoa powder - adds rich chocolatey depth to the cake
- Apple Sauce - You can make this at home by blending 2 apples until smooth - with some chunks for texture or you can buy it from you local grocery store. This will be our egg substitute
- Caramel - check out my quick and easy recipe for homemade caramel here

How do you make no egg chocolate cupcakes
Recipe for chocolate cupcakes easy - Step by step instructions
Chocolate cupcakes from scratch
- Preheat your oven to 180°c / 356°f and line your cupcake/muffin tin with cupcake cases.
- Combine the milk and vinegar together to make the 'buttermilk' and set aside for 5 mins.
- Whisk together all the dry ingredients until fully combined in a separate bowl.
- Then pour into the wet ingredients. And whisk until combined.
- Finally add the chocolate spread to the batter and scoop the batter evenly into the cupcake cases.
- Bake for 25 mins until springy to the touch and skewer comes out clean when inserted into the centre.
- As the cupcakes cool make the buttercream by creaming together your plant-based butter for 5mins until pale.
- Then mix in the icing sugar, then add the chocolate spread and beat for a further 5 mins until fluffy.
- Transfer the buttercream into a piping bag with a 2D Tip and set aside.
- Using an apple corer or piping nozzle, create a hole in the centre of the cupcake and fill with caramel.
- Once filled, pipe the buttercream in a swirl on top. Finish with a drizzle more of caramel and crushed peanuts and enjoy!
Flavour Variations and Mixins - vegan chocolate cupcakes easy
Chocolate pecan cupcakes
For a slightly more textural alternative of this chocolate cake. You can substitute the chocolate hazelnut spread with chopped pecans as well as almond flour in its sponge for a lighter texture.
Strawberry cupcakes
If you're looking for other cake flavours. You can try out these strawberry cupcakes, it's perfectly moist, light and decorated with a refreshing strawberry buttercream. It's perfect for summer and it tastes delicious.
Let me know in the comments if you try these variations or if you came up with your own!

FAQs - caramel filled chocolate cupcake recipe
What frosting goes with chocolate cupcakes ?
I used chocolate buttercream for these cupcakes [link] but vanilla buttercream [link] and strawberry will also work well.
Can you make these chocolate cupcakes with plain flour ?
Yes, you may opt to use plain flour for these cupcakes instead of gluten free flour, if you do want to make it gluten free then use plain flour in place of regular flour with a teaspoon of xanthan gum if it’s not already included.
What to use for caramel filling cupcakes
I used Fine and Raws vegan caramel, but you can use any other store bought vegan caramel or follow this super easy recipe to make your own at home.
Storing and freezing for all - keeping chocolate cupcakes moist
How long do chocolate cupcakes last ?
The cake will stay good at room-temperature for up to 2 days, in the fridge for up to a week, and in the freezer for up to 2 months if stored in an airtight container.
Make sure to tag me @whiskmefree on Instagram and leave a review below if you followed this chocolate cupcakes recipe best. To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can use the button on the recipe card or on any of the photos above. Happy baking!
A chocolate cupcake recipe

Snicker Cupcakes
Equipment
- Muffin/Cupcake Tin
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Plant based milk
- 1 tbsp Apple cider Vinegar
- 1 ⅓ Cup Gluten free Self-raising flour
- 3 tbsp coco powder
- ¾ Cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp Bicarbonate of soda
- 60 g Fine and Raws Sweet Hazelnut Spread
Chcolate Buttercream
- 1 ¾ Cup Icing sugar
- ¾ Cup vegan butter
- 2 tablespoon Fine and Raw's Sweet Hazelnut Spread
- 1/2 cup Fine and Raws Caramel
- Crushed Peanuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°c / 356°f and line your cupcake/muffin tin with cupcake cases.
- Combine the milk and vinegar together to make the 'buttermilk' and set aside for 5 mins.1 Cup Plant based milk, 1 tbsp Apple cider Vinegar
- Whisk together all the dry ingredients until fully combined in a separate bowl.1 ⅓ Cup Gluten free Self-raising flour, 3 tbsp coco powder, ¾ Cup sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp Bicarbonate of soda
- Then pour into the wet ingredients. And whisk until combined.
- Finally add the chocolate spread to the batter and scoop the batter evenly into the cupcake cases.60 g Fine and Raws Sweet Hazelnut Spread
- Bake for 25 mins until springy to the touch and skewer comes out clean when inserted into the centre.
- As the cupcakes cool make the buttercream by creaming together your plant-based butter for 5mins until pale.¾ Cup vegan butter
- Then mix in the icing sugar, then add the chocolate spread and beat for a further 5 mins until fluffy.1 ¾ Cup Icing sugar, 2 tablespoon Fine and Raw's Sweet Hazelnut Spread
- Transfer the buttercream into a piping bag with a 2D Tip and set aside.
- Using an apple corer or piping nozzel, create a hole in the centre of the cupcake and fill with caramel.1/2 cup Fine and Raws Caramel
- Once filled, pipe the buttercream in a swirl on top. Finish with a drizzle more of caramel and crushed peanuts and enjoy!Crushed Peanuts
*This blog post may contain affiliate links. Product mentions do not imply endorsement. Please read my disclaimer on my privacy policy page for more information.
© Leena. All images & content are copyright protected. Do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words and credit me, or link back to this post for the recipe.
April | Chaos & Wine says
These were delicious! I love snickers so I had to try these! I’ll be making them again
Josanne says
Those cupcakes look yummy!! Can't wait to try them!
Leena. says
They really are delicious, tag @whiskmefree when you make them I'd love to see them!
nia says
Yum yum yum!! This looks delicious and I love a moist cupcake. Thanks for sharing!
Fransic says
Wow, this look so good and love the inside. Never tried this before and it seems something I would love to try. Thank you for sharing!
Leena. says
Thank you! So glad you like it 🙂
Nicolle says
WOW!!! This will be so much fun to try these! Love Snickers 😉