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.

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 was great with both.

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!

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.

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

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!

Print Recipe

4.92 from 59 rating

Sugar Free Cupcakes

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 Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time18 minutes mins

Additional Time15 minutes mins

Total Time53 minutes mins

Course: Cupcakes

Cuisine: American

Servings: 12 cupcakes

Calories: 391kcal

Author: Chelsey White

Equipment

• Muffin Tin
• Cupcake Liners
• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
• Rubber Spatula
• Large Piping Bag or Freezer Ziplock Bag
• Open Star Piping Tip (like a Wilton 1M)

Ingredients

Sugar Free Cupcakes

• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 175g
• 1 tsp baking powder 4g
• 1/4 tsp fine salt 1g
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 113g
• 1 cup sugar-free sweetener – Allulose or Swerve 175g
• 2 large eggs, room temperature 112g
• 2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste 8g
• 1 tsp almond extract – optional 4g
• 1/2 cup full-fat sour cream, room temperature 126g

Sugar Free Frosting

• 4 large egg whites, room temperature 130g
• 1 cup Allulose or other sugar free sweetener 175g
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 170g
• 1/2 tsp fine salt 2g
• 2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste 8g
• 1 tsp almond extract – optional 4g
• gel food coloring if desired

Instructions

Sugar Free Cupcakes

• Preheat your oven to 350°F/175°C and line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners. Set aside.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Mix in 1/2 cup of sour cream on a medium speed. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula.
• Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix on a low speed until the flour is just incorporated.
• Scoop the cupcake batter into the prepared muffin tin, evenly dividing the batter between the 12 cupcake liners.
• 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!
• Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then place them on a wire rack to finish cooling.

Sugar Free Frosting

• In a medium-sized pot, add about 1 inch of water and bring to a simmer.
• 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.
• Add 4 egg whites and 1 cup of sugar-free sweetener like Swerve or Allulose into a heat-proof mixing bowl.
• 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.
• 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.
• Lift your bowl away from the pot and dry the bottom with a towel. 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.
• At this point in time, the mixing bowl should be room temperature. If it’s warm, it will melt your butter!!
• Mix on a medium speed and add in 3/4 cup of room temperature unsalted butter in small chunks.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Place the frosting into a large piping bag fitted with your favorite frosting tip and pipe on each cooled cupcake. I used a Wilton 1M to decorate these cupcakes.

Video

Notes

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 the 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 temperature 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 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

Serving: 1g | Calories: 391kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 222mg | Sugar: 34g

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