These simple Chocolate Cupcakes are perfect in flavor and texture, paired with chocolate buttercream frosting and a short video tutorial on how to frost cupcakes like a pro!
Cakes and cupcakes are some of the most popular recipes on TBFS. Don’t miss our German Chocolate Cake (or cupcakes) or our classic Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting.
Chocolate cupcakes are a classic treat that everybody loves, and this homemade recipe is killer! And although I love a great moist and delicious homemade chocolate cupcake, the frosting is my favorite part, and this chocolate buttercream does not disappoint! I think perfect cupcakes require a 2:1 frosting/cupcakes ratio.
How to Make Chocolate Cupcakes:
1. Whisk together: In large mixing bowl whisk together cocoa powder and baking soda. Carefully pour in boiling water and whisk until well blended; allow to cool for 5 minutes.
2. Cream: in another large mixing bowl add the melted butter, vegetable oil, sugar, vanilla and salt and beat until well combined. Add eggs and eggs yolks, mixing after each addition, just until combined.
3. Add cocoa and flour. Stir in cocoa mixture and then milk. Slowly mix in flour and stir until combined.
4. Pour into cupcake tins: Divide batter evenly among the 24 muffin cups, filling each cup about 2/3 full.
5. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
To ensure cupcakes rise properly:
Use room temperature ingredients, particularly eggs.
Eggs at room temperature (as opposed to cold from the fridge) are fluffier and will emulsify in the batter better, which will help the cupcakes bake and rise properly. A trick for bringing eggs to room temperature quickly is to run hot water over them for one minute, or let them sit in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes.
Pro Tips for Frosting Cupcakes:
If you want to get that perfect swirl on the top of a cupcake, use a piping bag and frosting tip. My favorite tip is a Wilton 1M.
And since I really love ya’ll I’ll share this very amateur video I made yeas ago for how to frost cupcakes. I made it when I was 9 months pregnant and while it’s embarrassing and not the best quality, I do talk about my three favorite decorating tips and show how to frost cupcakes with them!
Make Ahead And Freezing Instructions:
To make ahead: The cupcakes and the chocolate buttercream frosting can both be made ahead of time. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely, and then store them in a ziplock freezer bag. Freeze for up to one month. I like to frost the cupcakes when they are frozen because they’re easier to frost.
To freeze: Freeze your cupcakes before frosting them. Frosting cupcakes is so much easier when they are frozen. Cupcakes thaw quickly so even if you want to serve them an hour or two after frosting, it shouldn’t be an issue. You could also freeze frosted cupcakes, but I suggest flash-freezing them on a tray for 30 minutes (to help the frosting keep its shape) before placing them in a freezer safe container.
Consider trying these popular cupcake recipes:
- German Chocolate Cupcakes
- Chocolate Cupcakes with Oreo Cream Frosting
- Homemade Funfetti Cupcakes
- Caramel Filled Chocolate Cupcakes
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cupcakes
- Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Frosting
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Recipe
Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Equipment
Ingredients
For the cupcakes
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup butter , melted
- 1/3 cup oil (vegetable or canola oil)
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk or half & half or heavy cream
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
For the Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup butter , softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 Tablespoon milk
- 2-3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare muffin tins with 24 paper liners.
- In large mixing bowl whisk together cocoa powder and baking soda. Carefully pour in boiling water and whisk until well blended; allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in another large mixing bowl add the melted butter, vegetable oil, sugar, vanilla and salt and beat until well combined. Add eggs and eggs yolks, mixing after each addition, just until combined.
- Stir in cocoa mixture and then milk. Slowly mix in flour and stir until combined.
- Divide batter evenly among the 24 muffin cups, filling each cup about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool.
For the Frosting:
- Beat butter for two minutes. Add vanilla extract, cocoa powder and milk and beat again until smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar until you reach your desired frosting consistency.
- Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes and top with sprinkles!
Notes
Nutrition
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Cupcake recipe adapted from Cooking Classy.
I originally shared this recipe February 2015. Updated May 2020 with process photos and additional tips.
Have you tried this recipe?!
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
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They are sooo good! Is it just me or are you a baking pro?
Will normal coco powder work as good as unsweetened or does it have to be unsweetened?
Normal cocoa powder is unsweetened, so that will work!
These tasted gorgeous! We made them with the caramel sauce centre and chocolate frosting. Can they be frozen? Thanks.
Wonderful! Yes they can be frozen!
Tthe powdered sugar actually makes it softer! Thx so much!
I had to stop myself from eating all the icing!
These were a huge hit at a birthday party I made them for. My mom is a choc-o-holic and even requested that I make these for her birthday too!
Thanks Jackie! I’m so happy to hear everyone liked them! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Made these before and loved them but was wondering if I could make them into a cake fro a friends birthday??
Sure! Just adjust the bake time, depending on what pans you use. Sounds yummy!
How many cupcakes can make?
This recipes makes 2 dozen cupcakes
These were insane! So moist and decadent…probably the best cupcakes I’ve ever made! Thanks for the recipe
Thank you so much!
Where do you add the flour
Oops. Just needed to read it better
Hello, Lauren!
I’m a sophomore in high school and I’m in a pickle. I am taking TC Hospitality and we have to serve a treat to the class. I want to make these cupcakes, but I’m confused about these two ingredients:
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
If I have a carton of a dozen eggs, could I just use four of those? Otherwise, what do you mean by eggs vs egg yolks?
If you can get back to me ASAP, I’d really appreciate it!
Thank you so much,
Sylvia
Hi Sylvia, You will want to use 2 whole eggs, and then two egg yolks (meaning just the yellow yolk, but not the egg white). Here is a really easy tutorial for how to separate eggs if you’ve never done that before 🙂 . Good luck with your class!
https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/baking/separate-eggs