Birthday Cupcakes

Last week, my friend requested for me to bake cupcakes for his birthday. However, he had one rule - he wanted healthy cupcakes. He is a super health fanatic by working out allll the time, counting calories and all that jazz. So much so that he won't even take a break for his birthday. I've never attempted to make any sort of healthy cupcakes because well it's kind of against my cupcake religion. I'm willing to make healthy versions of muffins and scones but usually I go all out for cupcakes, cakes, and brownies. But it's his birthday not mine so I granted his wish.
Whenever I need a healthier version of a dish, I usually check out Gina's Skinny Taste because she specializes in making low fat versions of fattening recipes that everyone loves. So, I scoured her dessert section and found a chocolate cupcake recipe. Score! However, I did make some changes. Instead of Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge cake mix, I used Devil's Food mix. Also, instead of pureed pumpkin, I used unsweetened apple sauce. And finally, I baked the cupcakes for 18 minutes instead of the suggested 25-28 minutes. For legal purposes, please go to her website for the recipe - Super Moist Low Fat Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Glaze.

Batter mixed, scooped into cupcake liners, and all ready for the oven.

Straight out of the oven. It doesn't look the prettiest but that's when the glaze comes in. =)

I ran out of regular sized cupcake liners. Mini cupcakes to the rescue!

Cupcakes all glazed up and ready for delivery to the birthday boy!

I made sure to taste test one of the cupcakes before hand delivering them to my friend and they were really good. I was surprised at how moist the cupcakes were considering I didn't add any eggs or oil. If you told me that there were unsweetened applesauce and sugar free/fat free chocolate pudding mix, I would say you were pulling my leg. These were seriously good healthy cupcakes.