Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

If chocolate had a fan club, these cupcakes would be the president. They’re soft, rich, and topped with a swirl of creamy chocolate buttercream that could make anyone forget their problems for at least five minutes. Perfect for parties, rainy days, or just because you deserve it (and you do).

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cupcakes are simple to make and hard to resist. The batter mixes quickly, and the frosting whips up into a smooth, dreamy finish. The flavor is pure chocolate joy in every bite, no fancy tricks, just good ingredients doing their thing.

Quick Recipe Infos:

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 38 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes

Estimated Nutrition (per cupcake)

Calories: 320
Fat: 18g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: 3g

Kitchen Tools Needed

• Muffin tin
• Paper cupcake liners
• Two mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Electric mixer (or strong arm and a whisk)
• Rubber spatula
• Cooling rack

Ingredients

Cupcakes

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup hot water

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

How to Make Chocolate Cupcakes

Make the Cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, mix egg, milk, oil, and vanilla. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until smooth.
4. Slowly pour in hot water and stir until the batter is thin and glossy.
5. Fill liners about two-thirds full.
6. Bake for 18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.

Make the Frosting

1. Beat butter until creamy.
2. Add cocoa and powdered sugar, one cup at a time.
3. Add cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy. If it’s too thick, add a little more cream.
4. Frost the cupcakes generously (the more, the better).

Quick Tips

• Use room temperature butter for smooth frosting.
• Don’t overfill the liners or you’ll end up with chocolate volcanoes.
• For extra shine, top each cupcake with a few chocolate shavings or sprinkles.

Final Bite

These chocolate cupcakes are the edible equivalent of a good mood. Bake them once, and you’ll find yourself inventing excuses to make them again, birthday, Friday, or “I just really wanted chocolate.”

Continue to Content

Chocolate Cupcakes

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 38 minutes

These chocolate cupcakes are soft, moist, and melt in your mouth. Each bite is topped with creamy, silky chocolate buttercream that begs to be devoured. Sweet, rich, and utterly irresistible, they are pure chocolate temptation.

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Ingredients

For the Cupcakes

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup hot water

For the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

Cupcakes:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with liners.
   
2. Mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
   
3. Whisk egg, milk, oil, and vanilla; combine with dry ingredients.
   
4. Stir in hot water until smooth.
   
5. Fill liners two-thirds full and bake 18 minutes.
   
6. Cool completely before frosting.
   

Frosting:

1. Beat butter until creamy.
   
2. Gradually add cocoa and powdered sugar.
   
3. Mix in cream, vanilla, and salt until fluffy.
   
4. Frost cupcakes generously.
   

Notes

• Use room-temperature butter for smooth frosting.
  

• Fill liners two-thirds full to prevent overflow.
  
• Add chocolate shavings or sprinkles for extra flair.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 320Total Fat: 18gCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 3g