It's here, it's here, it's here!!! In case you don't follow me on social media and you haven't seen all my crazy excited posts, my first ever cookbook Fuss-Free Vegan is finally here! You can now find it on shelves in Barnes & Nobel, Chapters Indigo, online at Amazon, or (hopefully) in a bookstore near you! Can I get a woot woot!? In order to celebrate, I thought what better way than to combine bubbly booze, with sweet cake, topped with a mound of frosting. Yes, I'm talking Vegan Champagne Cupcakes. Ooh la la!
Friends, I just looked at Amazon and there are already four 5 star reviews!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I swear I didn't bribe any of my friends with Vegan Champagne Cupcakes, those are legit real reviews, and they are totally glowing reviews at that. I'm SO incredibly flattered for the kind words shared about my book. So if you wrote one of those reviews, I thank you oh-so-much. You totally made my day. (As if I needed any more awesomeness)! So grateful.
Now aren't these just the cutest little cupcakes you ever did see? (For those of you who recognize this champagne, don't worry, I drank this one, and used a more affordable one in the cupcakes)!
Vegan Champagne Cupcakes are the perfect way to celebrate my new book and the rave reviews, but they are also perfect for any special occasion. I'm thinking New Year's Eve, graduation, birthdays, retirement, anything that's worth popping a bottle for. Which if you know me, I'm a fan of celebrating big events such as "it's Tuesday!" or "it's 5 o'clock!" because why wait to celebrate life, you know what I'm saying?
Yesterday, I had, even more, to celebrate (is that even possible) because I spent a good chunk of the day at the CBC radio station in a recording booth getting interviewed from different cities all across Canada. I did 15 interviews in a row!!! A couple of them were live, which was kinda scary, but fun, and the rest I have no idea when they are airing but I will be sure to share links when I get them.
Two of the interviewers actually stayed on the line longer after our session and expressed how they were interested in going vegan and asked me a ton of questions. One guy even said he was going to try going vegan for 30 days!! (I'm going to hold him to that). 😉
See what I mean? There's always something to celebrate always!!
The bubbly Champagne in these cupcakes makes the cake extra light and fluffy and you can definitely taste a hint of that sparkling deliciousness. I also infused some champagne into the frosting. I'm telling you these cupcakes win at life! They are similar to my vanilla cupcakes but kicked up one giant serious notch. So pop that Champagne, and share a glass with your good ol' buddy cake. 🍾
To make Vegan Champagne Cupcakes: In a large bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together.
In a medium bowl, lightly whisk the wet ingredients. The oil won't really combine with the Champagne and that's totally fine. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until the batter just comes together, don’t over mix.
Evenly divide batter among the liners. Bake 18 - 20 minutes until the tops are slightly golden, and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.
The cupcakes will become flat-topped when cooling, and may even have a slight dent in the middle. This is because they are so light and fluffy, don't worry, frosting will make them look perfect!
To make the frosting, mix all of the ingredients with a stand or hand mixer. If needed add another tablespoon of Champagne until desired consistency is reached. Decorate cupcakes however you like then add sparkly sprinkles for some extra pizazz! 🍾
Vegan Champagne Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the dry ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the wet ingredients:
- 1 cup Champagne or sparkling wine
- ¼ cup light oil (such as canola or vegetable)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the frosting:
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup vegan butter
- ¼ cup vegetable shortening
- 2 - 3 tablespoons Champagne or sparkling wine
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 F (180C). Line a cupcake pan with 12 paper liners, or lightly grease the pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together.
- In a medium bowl, lightly whisk the wet ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until the batter just comes together, don’t over mix. Evenly divide batter among the liners. Bake 18 - 20 minutes until the tops are slightly golden, and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting, mix the powdered sugar, vegan butter, vegetable shortening, 2 tablespoons of Champagne, and vanilla extract together with a stand or hand mixer. If needed add another tablespoon of Champagne until desired consistency is reached. Decorate cupcakes however you like then add sparkly sprinkles for some extra pizazz!
Nutrition
Bon appetegan!
Sam.
Christiane says
I made those today with Prosecco. They are so light and moist! I love them. Maybe next time I will try to make them with apple cider for a kid-friendly version.
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
Great idea!
Christiane says
So, today I made them with sparling apple cider. They turned out great (even without any frosting). It is perfect for kids!
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
That sounds like a great alcohol-free substitution!
Sue Hayman says
Hi Sam,
Happy New Year! Love the look of this recipe, can you substitute sparkling white lemonade for the champagne for a budget version? good luck with the bok sales.
Sue (Devon, Engkand)
Carol says
I was going to try sparkling apple cider but I think your idea might be closer in taste. Thanks!
Jose says
Thanks, Sam for all year`s round tasteful and colorful recipes. From Toronto a happy New Year
Shamekia says
Can I prepare these the day before a party and keep in the refrigerator?
Sam Turnbull says
I would store them at room temperature so they stay soft and fluffy 🙂
Kat says
Let me make sure I read this right.
First, I'm to get schnapped on a bottle of more expensive champagne.
Then I make the cupcakes, with the cheap(er) stuff? Correct?
😉
Sam Turnbull says
Correct! hahaha
Kayla Engel says
Can I substitute Prosecco for Champagne for this recipe? Champagne is out of stock in my city & I was planning to make these for a birthday this upcoming weekend (my sister is turning 19 & i wanted to make these as a fun cupcake instead of cake).
Mia says
This is one of the best cakes I've EVER had! It is so easy and simple to make and tastes AMAZING. Same goes with the frosting, too. I can't recommend this recipe enough!!
Bonnie Craemer says
These are delicious and so easy to make!!
Jessica says
These cupcakes are simply amazing, Sam! I made them last year for New Years and they were a hit. I want to make them again this year, but I can't remember what I subbed for the shortening (and it doesn't look like I left a review at that time - shame on me!). I'm nearly certain I didn't use shortening because I haven't bought it in years. Any suggestions?
Lauren says
This is my go to recipe for any fun event! I made these as mini cupcakes and adjusted the baking time for an engagement party (pre COVID-19 of course) and I’m not joking when I say people were fighting over the last ones. My 93 year old Nonna and the grooms brother were both holding onto the tray to get the last one. I’m going to try this in cake form this weekend!
Tracy says
This recipe was definitely hard to follow. I doubled the recipe and decided between two 8” round cake pans and wrapped the outside with wet fabric strips for even baking.
It barely rose and had an odd consistency Once baked. I tried to not over mix but the champagne was so fizzy there were a lot of flour lumps. When I poured the batter I noticed two dry flour patches even though I felt like it had been over mixed.
I’m honestly too scared to bring it to a social distancing picnic tomorrow so I’ll probably have to just do a classic chocolate cake instead :/
Lenore Ⓥ says
Could we use vegan Chardonnay if we can’t find vegan champagne? Also, where did you find your vegan gold sanding sugar? I can only find gold in non vegan versions online (containing confectioners glaze) yuck!
Sam Turnbull says
You can use any sparkling wine, but a non-bubbly wine won't work. Enjoy!
Shanasy says
Thanks so much for this quick idea for holiday cupcakes! Love it! I"ve shared this and your site on my fb site Super Quick Plant-Based Recipes - and lease let me know if you'd like to be featured again with more super quick recipes!
Sam Turnbull says
Thrilled you love it!