Vegan Cake Mix Cupcakes
If you need to make inexpensive vegan cupcakes in a pinch this recipe is for you! They are so fluffy and delicious that nobody will know your little secret!
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Memorial Day weekend is here and with so many potlucks and BBQs coming up I wanted to make sure you have a handy last-minute dessert ready! These will also be perfect for different holidays, birthdays, baby showers, etc. All you need to do is buy different sprinkles and cupcake liners depending on the occasion.
These Cake Mix Cupcakes are SO EASY to make, require very little effort, and cost about $5 to make for 20 cupcakes! Yes, you read that right! I almost always buy my cake mixes, frostings, cupcake liners, and sprinkles from Dollar Tree. They’re the cheapest I’ve found.
I have been making these cupcakes for many birthdays because my oldest daughter had an egg and dairy allergy when she was little. Six years back when vegan products weren’t that popular, I discovered that Pillsbury had cake mixes and frostings that were vegan! After a few fails, I finally have the perfect fluffy recipe!
In my opinion, the Traditional Chocolate cake mix works the best for this recipe.
Easy step by step instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 cupcake pans with 20 baking cups. Place the cake mix, applesauce, butter, water, vanilla, and liquor in a large bowl.
2. With an electric mixer on medium speed beat the cake mix for 2 minutes (you’ll notice the batter thickening as you mix).
3. Fill the cupcake liners about 3/4 full (I use an ice cream scoop to make it easier). Bake for 25 minutes or until you insert a toothpick and it comes out clean.
4. Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting. I like to let them rest a few minutes in the pan and then I transfer the cupcakes to a cooling rack.
5. Frost the cupcakes. If piping frosting on your cupcakes I recommend using an Ateco 856 piping tip which is big and makes piping quick and easy.
6. You can also use an offset spatula or butter knife to frost the cupcakes. Decorate with sprinkles and enjoy!
A few tips
To take away that “cake mix taste” I like to add vanilla and a little bit of liquor. You can use brandy, whiskey, tequila, rum, etc.
It is very important to beat the mix for 2 minutes. If you don’t have an electric mixer, you can make this with a whisk, you’ll get in a nice workout!
To portion out the batter on each cupcake liner I use an ice cream scoop. It makes it so easy!
I hope you try out these cupcakes! Make sure you check my other great recipes for sharing like these Peanut Butter Snickerdoodles, Mini Vegan Pecan Pies, and Vegan Red Velvet Cupcakes.
Pin these for later!
Vegan Cake Mix cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 box of Pillsbury Traditional Chocolate cake mix
- ½ cup applesauce
- ½ cup melted vegan butter or margarine
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp liquor of choice (optional)
- 2 – 10 oz tubs of Pillsbury Vanilla frosting
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 cupcake pans with 20 baking cups.
- Place the cake mix, applesauce, butter, water, vanilla, and liquor in a large bowl. With an electric mixer on medium speed beat the batter for 2 minutes (you’ll notice the batter thickening as you mix).
- Fill the cupcake liners about 3/4 full (I use an ice cream scoop to make it easier). Bake for 25 minutes or until you insert a toothpick and it comes out clean.
- Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting. Frost your cupcakes. If piping frosting on your cupcakes I recommend using an Ateco 856 piping tip which is big and makes piping quick and easy. You can also use an offset spatula or butter knife to frost the cupcakes. Decorate with sprinkles and enjoy!
