Vegan lemon cupcakes with blackberry frosting are a light and delicious treat that’s perfect for summer! These beautiful cupcakes are just right for a special celebration.
Sometimes I make a recipe, and then I put it in my drafts folder, and then I forget to post it. That’s what happened here. And I’m kicking myself, because these cupcakes were so light and fluffy, and the frosting was so pretty and sweet, that I wish I had remembered to share it sooner! These vegan cupcakes are so easy to make, and so delicious.
Oh well, we aren’t even really into berry season yet, so there’s plenty of chances to make these with summer ripe blackberries.
Usually when a cupcake is required, the boys will insist on chocolate with chocolate frosting. Sometimes they stray from that and want yellow cake with chocolate frosting. But this time I really wanted something lighter, and I was just in the mood for vanilla frosting. But I decided to fancy it up a bit by dyeing the frosting with a little blackberry juice. I love the shade of pink that a few berries provided!
What flour works best for vegan lemon cupcakes?
I used white spelt flour, but all-purpose flour would also work well.
Can these cupcakes be made with gluten free flour?
I have not tried gluten free flour with this recipe, but if you try it, be sure to use a lighter blend, like King Arthur (as long as that works for your diet). A heavier blend might make these cupcakes gummy. Coconut flour or almond flour will not work well in this recipe and I do not recommend it.
Can these vegan cupcakes be made with a sugar substitute?
I have not tried that, but I think that a cup for cup sugar substitute like Swerve might work in this recipe.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Recipe
Vegan Lemon Cupcakes with Blackberry Frosting.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups white spelt flour all-purpose works fine
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cold water
- ½ cup organic canola oil or coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
- zest from one lemon
For the frosting:
- 3 Tablespoons vegan buttery spread
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoon non-dairy milk
- 6 blackberries for 1 Tablespoon juice
- 12 blackberries for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a muffin tin with paper cupcake liners.
- Mix the oil and sugar with a mixer on medium speed. Add the lemon juice and water and mix until blended.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest. Whisk together. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until smooth.
- Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners.
- Bake at 375 degrees for about 17-20 minutes until the cupcake tops are lightly golden brown. Cool on wire rack.
- Make the frosting: Rinse the six blackberries, then place in a fine mesh sieve over a bowl. Use the back of a spoon to press the juice out of the berries, letting it fall into the bowl.
- Cream the vegan buttery spread and blackberry juice, and slowly add the powdered sugar. Alternate adding the powdered sugar and non-dairy milk until you get the consistency you want.
- Pipe or spread frosting on cooled cupcakes. Top each frosted cupcake with one blackberry. Store frosted cupcakes in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
Cupcake batter adapted from this recipe.
Marina
These cupcakes are amazing! I made these with white flour not spelt.
Everything was great; texture, flavor, all of it!
Kelly Roenicke
So glad you liked them!
Kayshla
Does the coconut oil have to be melted?
Kelly Roenicke
Yes, it should be melted.
Monica R
I’ve made these cupcakes twice and they are great! All my non-vegan friends/family thought they were great too!
I made a few tweaks: instead of all oil, I use 1/4 cup of either oil and 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce. The first time I made them I didn’t think they were very lemony. So the second time, instead of 2T of lemon juice, I used 1T + 2 1/2t of lemon juice and then added 1/2 t of lemon oil and the lemon taste was stronger but not too strong.
I used this buttercream recipe but with vegan butter & a little vanilla- http://www.twosisterscrafting.com/best-lemon-buttercream-frosting/
Kelly Roenicke
So glad you liked them! Your adjustments sound great!
Nina
I really liked the cupcake batter! I forgot to use the canola oil and only used the coconut, and it still came out perfect. The only issue I had was with the frosting, I wanted to pipe the frosting, however, it was way too watery for that! The cupcakes had cooled when I tried applying.. so it definitely wasn’t the heat.
Kelly
Glad they worked! If that happens again, just keep adding confectioner’s sugar until the frosting is thick enough to pipe. Temperature, humidity, liquid amounts can all change the consistency.
Tiffany
I’m planning on making these cupcakes and am wondering what a canola/coconut oil blend is. Did you just use 1/4 cup of each to make the 1/2 cup called for, or is it an actual product? I’m not an experienced baker and am new to vegan cooking/baking, so please excuse my silly question. =) Thanks!
amélie
made it as a cake and was delicous!! thanks for sharing!
Kelly
Awesome! I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for letting me know!
Kristen @ Joyfully Thriving
Oh, yum! Blackberry frosting? I love that!
Kelly
Thanks, Kristen!
Kristine's Kitchen
Cupcake Wednesday should totally be a thing! I love the pretty pink/lavendar color of the frosting too!
Kelly
Thanks, Kristine!
genevieve y
These cupcakes are so cute! The blackberry frosting sounds so yummy- I love all things with berries!
Kelly
Thank you, Genevieve!
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits
The color scheme of this shot is so on point, Kelly! And yes, I’d LOVE it if it’s cupcake Wednesday every week!
Kelly
Thank you so much, Lisa! You are too kind!
whiskandshout
These are amazing! Love the cute topping and the blackberry frosting :)
Kelly
Thank you!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven
These cupcakes are just stunning, Kelly! I seriously cannot stop staring at that gorgeous blackberry frosting! So perfect for summer. :)
Kelly
Thanks, Sarah!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
These cupcakes look gorgeous, Kelly! I’m loving the blackberry frosting. Goes perfectly with the lemon!
Kelly
Thanks, Gayle!