Gorgeously moist and rich cupcakes are topped with a vegan meringue. Aquafaba is the brine from tinned chickpeas. This surprising ingredient whips up beautifully and makes an excellent substitute to egg white meringues. Perfect for vegans or those with egg allergies.
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons chia seeds
6 tablespoons water
1½ cups wholemeal spelt flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¾ cup coconut sugar
½ cup good-quality cocoa powder
1¼ cups almond or coconut milk
½ cup melted coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Aquafaba meringue
brine from 400-gram tin chickpeas
½ cup icing sugar
½ teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
METHOD
Preheat oven to 180°C.
Whisk together the chia seeds and the water in a small bowl. Set aside for 5 minutes until the seeds have gelled. This will serve as your binder (egg replacement).
Place all the dry ingredients into a large bowl and whisk together. Add the remaining ingredients (including the chia seeds). Whisk until well combined and smooth.
Line 9 holes of a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cupcake cases.
Spoon in the mixture evenly. Bake for 20–25 minutes until a skewer comes out clean when inserted. Set aside to cool for 1 hour before topping with meringue.
Aquafaba meringue: Use an electric beater to whip the aquafaba and cream of tartar until frothy. Add the icing sugar slowly in spoonfuls and whip until you have firm, glossy peaks. Add the vanilla and whip for a further minute. Spoon into a piping bag and pipe swirls on to the top of each cupcake.
Use a culinary blowtorch or a very hot grill to lightly brown the meringue.
Cupcakes will last up to 3 days in the fridge. Makes 9 cupcakes
Related Content
latest issue:
Issue #122
Our latest of dish is an absolute bumper issue, packed with over 70 recipes! We start by chatting with the MasterChef Australia judges and Kiwi contestant Ben Mcdonald before cooking up the very best of what’s in season. Then we make freezer meals easy and delicious with double-batch cooking. Next up we share some of our faves including Pretzel-crumbed Chicken Schnitty and French Onion Soup Mac and Cheese. Then we whip up warming curries, tempting dinners for two, epic sides like our Parmesan-crusted Roasted Potatoes, and crowd pleasers like our cover-star Miso French Onion Chicken. We finish up with irresistible sweet treats and a run-down of top Aussie shiraz!