National Cupcake Day: 100 Calorie Cupcakes That Don't Suck

Craving Something Sweet? Let’s Fix That.

Alright, you’ve got a sweet tooth, but you’re not about to throw your hard work out the window. Say hello to these Healthy Chocolate Cupcakes — only 100 calories each! Pair them with a whipped frosting that’s light, fluffy, and just sweet enough to make you feel like a dessert genius. Ready to bake? Let’s do this.

Healthy Chocolate Cupcakes (100 Calories Each)

Servings: 12 cupcakes

Calories: 108 each

Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 18 mins | Total Time: 33 mins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup nonfat or plant-based milk

• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

• 1 cup all-purpose or whole wheat flour

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 3/4 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. Give them a quick spritz of nonstick spray.

2. In a small bowl, mix the milk and vinegar. Let it sit to curdle (it’s weird but trust the process).

3. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

4. In a larger bowl, mix the brown sugar, applesauce, vanilla, and your milk mixture.

5. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet stuff. The batter will look runny—that’s perfect!

6. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups. Bake for 18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool before frosting. (Seriously, don’t skip the cooling.)
   

The Best Whipped Frosting

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk

• 5 tbsp all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• 1¼ cups granulated sugar
  

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, whisk together the milk and flour over medium heat. Cook until it’s as thick as cake batter. Stir in the vanilla and let it cool completely.

2. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed for 3 minutes until it’s fluffy and pale.

3. Add the cooled milk mixture and beat on high until smooth and light. (It’ll look like whipped cream but taste even better.)

4. Slather it on those cooled cupcakes and prepare to impress everyone, including yourself.
   

Pro Tips:

• Let your cupcakes cool all the way. Warm cupcakes + frosting = a sad, melty mess.

• Store any extras in an airtight container to keep them fresh.

• Wanna get fancy? Add a sprinkle of cocoa powder or a few chocolate shavings on top.
  

Final Thoughts:

You’ve just upgraded dessert time. These cupcakes are proof that you can have your cake and eat it too (without any guilt). Whip up a batch, share them with your gym crew, or keep them all to yourself—no judgment here. Tag us when you make them, and let us know: Are you team frosting or no frosting? Let’s hear it below!