Gluten free, vegan chocolate cupcakes with Sunbutter filling, topped with a vegan Sunbutter buttercream.

This recipe has been a long time in the making. There's an awesome bakery in Roswell, GA called Gluten Free Cutie. They have the most divine chocolate Sunbutter cupcakes called Build Me Up Buttercup. It's taken me a couple of months, but I think I've come up with my own recipe that's just as fabulous!

Not only are they gluten free, but they're also vegan (except for the chocolate covered sunflower seed decoration on top). But you'd never know it. They're just plain good! These Chocolate Sunbutter Cupcakes are moist, tender and nutty. The Sunbutter (aka sunflower seed spread) is similar to peanut butter with a hint of sunflower seed flavor. Plus, they're great if you or your child are allergic to peanuts. The buttercream is made with organic non-hydrogenated vegetable shortening, Sunbutter, powdered sugar and vanilla. It's smooth, creamy and just the right amount of sweetness!

Creating gluten free recipes is a bit tricky because it's a whole different ball game than regular baking. But lucky for you, I've tested and retested this recipe so you know it's going to turn out right.

Start this recipe by making a gluten free flour blend (recipe follows and pictured above). You'll have enough for 2 batches of this cupcake recipe.

Then measure out 1 ¼ cups of the gluten free flour blend and whisk together with the remaining dry ingredients (except for the sugar).

Next you combine all of your wet ingredients with the sugar.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until smooth. Scoop batter into muffin cups.

Bake at 375°F. for 18-20 or until a toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean. Let cool.

Use a #826 pastry tip to cut a small piece of cupcake out. Fill with Sunbutter, then replace the piece you removed.

Whip up the frosting which is a mixture of organic non-hydrogenated vegetable shortening, Sunbutter, powdered sugar, water and vanilla. Scoop frosting into a pastry bag fitted with a #826 or #1M pastry tip. Pipe frosting on to cooled cupcakes.

Note: If you don't like a lot of frosting, you could half the recipe. The cupcakes are actually even good with out frosting. Just know that's an option if you want to cut down on calories or you like desserts that aren't as sweet.

Garnish with colorful chocolate covered sunflower seeds, if desired. Note: these are NOT vegan, so if you want them to be strictly vegan cupcakes, then you should skip this step.

These cupcakes are so delicious. I hope you will try them. Even if you CAN have gluten, they are definitely worth making! I am not gluten intolerant but my mother is. That is why I like to try gluten free recipes, so I'll have something yummy to make when she visits.

Ever since I tried this cupcake at Gluten Free Cutie, I just had to figure out how to make it at home. It's just the best!

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Chocolate Sunbutter Cupcakes