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Sugar Free Cupcakes

I never thought I’d share a sugar free cupcake recipe on here, but today is the day. Over the years I’ve received more and more requests for sugar free cupcakes.

And I totally get it. Not everyone can eat tons of sugar! Most of these requests came from people who wanted to make cupcakes for a loved one who’s sugar sensitive.

image of a sugar free cupcake that's been frosted with sugar free buttercream frosting

Some people have a medical reason for watching their sugar intake (i.e. diabetes, liver problems, etc.). Others are choosing to limit their sugar intake for personal reasons (i.e. keto, paleo, or atkins diet).

Whatever your reason, it doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate a big life event by baking something special.

Picking the Right Sugar Substitute For These Sugar Free Cupcakes

There are a lot of sugar free sweeteners out there these days. With the rise of popular diets like keto and paleo, there’s been an increasing demand for alternative sweeteners and zero-calorie sweeteners.

While it’s great to have lots of options, it can be a bit overwhelming.

I tested this recipe with the granulated versions of Allulose and Swerve. I ordered them online from Amazon but you can also find them at Walmart and at most health food stores.

The taste of the sugar free frosting and cupcakes were great with both.

image of sugar free frosting in a bowl

But I’m not going to lie, the texture is slightly different than a regular cupcake.

The texture isn’t quite as tender as cupcakes made with real sugar, but I think it’s still about as good as a sugar free cupcake can be!

image of a sugar free cupcake cut open to show it's soft texture

Sugar Free Sweeteners You Can Use

If possible use Allulose or Swerve as your sugar-free sweetener!! I think they work best.

Granulated baking Splenda can be used in place of the Allulose in this recipe. Use 1/2 the amount the recipe calls for.

image of allulose sweetener

Tips For Making Best Sugar Free Cupcakes

  • Properly measure your flour (spoon into the cup measure, then level) or use a kitchen scale to measure your dry ingredients.
  • Ingredients at room temp mix together better! Be sure you set out any cold ingredients ahead of time.
  • Mix your cupcake batter just until the ingredients are incorporated. This will ensure your cupcakes are tender and fluffy.
  • If your frosting breaks / curdles, just keep mixing!! It should come back together with the help of your stand mixer. For more troubleshooting tips, check out this post.
  • Heat your egg white / allulose mixture to 160 F / 71 C to make the egg whites safe to eat. I like to use a digital thermometer to track the temperature.
  • Use vanilla bean paste and a bit of almond extract to really amp up the flavor of this frosting!
  • To make chocolate sugar free cupcakes, swap out 1/3 cup of flour for baking cocoa.
  • Turn this sugar free frosting recipe into chocolate sugar free frosting by mixing a 1 cup of melted and cooled milk or dark chocolate into the frosting once it’s made.

Making These Sugar Free Cupcakes in Advance and Storage Tips

These cupcakes can be made in advance. If stored unfrosted in an airtight container, they can last for 2 days at room temperature, up to a week in the fridge, or up to 3 months in the freezer.

If you have extra buttercream you don’t use it can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container or piping bag for up to 2 weeks.

image of a sugar free cupcake that's been frosted with fluffy sugar free buttercream

Let Me Know What You Think

If you try this recipe for sugar free cupcakes, I’d love to hear what you think of it! Please leave a rating and comment below.

And don’t forget to tag me @chelsweets and use #chelsweets so that I can see your amazing creations on social media!

image of homemade sugar free vanilla cupcakes

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Yield: 12

Sugar Free Cupcakes

image of sugar free cupcakes made with sugar free frosting

These sugar free cupcakes are moist, fluffy, and delicious! They're made with a natural, sugar free sweetener and are frosted with a silky smooth, sugar free frosting!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Additional Time 15 minutes
Total Time 53 minutes

Ingredients

Sugar Free Cupcakes

Sugar Free Frosting

Instructions

Sugar Free Cupcakes

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 F /175 C and line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners. Set aside.
  2. In a medium sized bowl, sift together 1 1/3 cups all purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together 1/2 cup unsalted butter and 1 cup of sugar free sweetener like Allulose or Swerve. Mix on a medium high speed with a hand mixer or whisk attachment for about 2 minutes, to incorporate air into the butter.
  4. Add in 2 large eggs, 2 tsp vanilla extract and 1 tsp of almond extract. Mix on medium high speed until the ingredients are fully combined. The mixture should look fluffy.
  5. Mix in 1/2 cup of sour cream on a medium speed. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula.
  6. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix on a low speed until the flour is just incorporated.
  7. Scoop the cupcake batter into the prepared muffin tin, evenly dividing the batter between the 12 cupcake liners.
  8. Bake for 18-21 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean with a few moist crumbs. These won't brown the same way regular cupcakes do, so don't rely on visual cues for doneness!
  9. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then place them on a wire rack to finish cooling.

Sugar Free Frosting

  1. In a medium sized pot, add about 1 inch of water and bring to a simmer.
  2. Before making the frosting, be sure to thoroughly clean your mixing bowl by wiping it down with a bit of vinegar or lemon juice. If there’s any grease it can make it difficult to make the meringue.
  3. Add 4 egg whites and 1 cup of sugar free sweetener like Swerve or Allulose into a heat-proof mixing bowl.
  4. Place the bowl on top of the pot filled with simmering water. Make sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl. The bowl should create a seal over the pot.
  5. Whisk the mixture constantly for 3-5 minutes, until it reaches 160 F / 71 C. At this point the mixture should feel smooth and hot to the touch with your finger.
  6. Lift your bowl away from the pot and dry the bottom with a towel.
  7. Pour the mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat on medium high using a whisk attachment. Mix for 5-8 minutes, or until you have stiff and glossy peaks. You can also use a hand mixer, but it will take a bit longer.
  8. At this point in time, the mixing bowl should be room temperature. If it’s warm, it will melt your butter!!
  9. Mix on a medium speed and add in 3/4 cup of room temperature unsalted butter in small chunks.
  10. Then add in 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract and 1 tsp almond extract. If you want to color this frosting, add in gel food coloring at this point and mix on a low speed until fully incorporated.
  11. When all butter is mixed in, scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula and continue mixing on a low speed for about 3 minutes.
  12. The frosting should have a thick whipped consistency at this point. If it looks lumpy or broken, keep mixing until it looks smooth and thick.
  13. Place the frosting into a large piping bag fit with your favorite frosting tip and pipe on each cooled cupcake. I used a Wilton 1M frosting tip to decorate these cupcakes.

Notes

Yield

This recipe can be used to make 12 regular sized cupcakes, or about 36 mini cupcakes. To make mini cupcakes, bake at 350 F/ 175 C for 8-10 minutes.

Tips For Making Best Sugar Free Cupcakes

  • Properly measure your flour (spoon into the cup measure, then level) or use a kitchen scale to measure your dry ingredients.
  • Ingredients at room temp mix together better! Set out any cold ingredients ahead of time.
  • Mix the cupcake batter just until the ingredients are incorporated once you've added in the flour. This will help the cupcakes have a more tender crumb.
  • Heat the egg white / Allulose mixture to 160 F / 71 C to make the egg whites safe to eat. I like to use a digital thermometer to track the temperature.
  • If the frosting breaks / curdles, just keep mixing!! It should come back together with the help of your stand mixer. For more troubleshooting tips, check out this post.
  • Use vanilla bean paste and a bit of almond extract to really amp up the flavor of this frosting!
  • To make chocolate sugar free cupcakes, swap out 1/3 cup of flour for baking cocoa.
  • Turn this sugar free frosting recipe into chocolate sugar free frosting by mixing in 1 cup of melted and cooled milk or dark chocolate once the frosting is made.

Making These Sugar Free Cupcakes in Advance and Storage Tips

These cupcakes can be made in advance! If stored unfrosted in an airtight container, they can last for:

  • 2 days at room temperature
  • Up to a week in the fridge
  • Up to 3 months in the freezer

If you have extra buttercream you don't use, it can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container or piping bag for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Information

Yield

12

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 391Total Fat 22gSaturated Fat 13gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 87mgSodium 222mgCarbohydrates 45gFiber 0gSugar 34gProtein 4g

Sam

Wednesday 1st of November 2023

Hi, could I use Lankanto monk fruit sweetener instead? Would I achieve the same result? Thank you!

Chelsweets

Saturday 4th of November 2023

Hi Sam,

I haven't tested this recipe with Lankanto monk fruit sweetener, but usually monk fruit sweetener does work well in baked goods, so I would think that should work! If you try it, please let me know how it turns out!

Christine Byrde

Thursday 23rd of March 2023

Could Splenda be used for the cake batter and frosting? If so would the measurements be the same?

Chelsweets

Sunday 26th of March 2023

Hi Christine,

Granulated baking Splenda can be used in place of the Allulose to make the cupcake batter and frosting. I recommend using 1/2 the amount the recipe calls for (it's sweeter than the other sugar substitutes). Hope that helps, happy baking!

William I Isaacson

Monday 23rd of January 2023

Why does this sugar free recipe show 34g of sugar?

Chelsweets

Sunday 29th of January 2023

Hi William,

That is a great question! The nutrition card is automatically calculated by the ingredients I list out in the recipe card above, and I think it isn't properly calculating the nutritional info for Allulose. Apologies for any confusion!

Amayanvbo Joan Omoyemwen

Tuesday 12th of July 2022

I like the sugar free cupcakes.l also like the way the cupcakes are decorated.

Chelsweets

Tuesday 12th of July 2022

So happy to hear that Amayanvbo!! Thank you for sharing :)

Tiffany

Friday 15th of April 2022

I tried to make this and i have discovered i am incapable of making anything at all. Self esteem has dropped in the negatives. I want to scream.

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