This classic chocolate cupcake recipe is perfect for any occasion.
Moist, chocolatey, and made with simple ingredients, these sweet treats will turn any frown upside down!
Enjoy them frosted, filled, or simply sprinkled with powdered sugar.
The Best Chocolate Cupcakes!
- Quick and easy chocolate cupcakes can be baked in mini, regular, or jumbo-sized!
- Perfect for birthday party decorating! Let little guests frost and decorate their creations with sprinkles, gummy candies, chocolate, or white chocolate chips.
- Bake, cool, and freeze cupcakes for up to a month.
- Perfectly portable! Pop one in a backpack, briefcase, or lunch kit for a quick treat!
Ingredients for Homemade Chocolate Cupcakes
- Flour: This recipe uses all-purpose flour; other varieties of flour have not been tested.
- Oil: Use a neutral oil, like canola or vegetable oil. This will keep cupcakes moist without changing the flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness and adds texture.
- Buttermilk: Creates a tender crumb and helps these cupcakes to rise. No buttermilk? Mix a bit of lemon juice or vinegar with regular milk as a quick fix.
- Egg: Room-temperature eggs mix more evenly; if you’re short on time, warm your egg in a bowl of warm water.
- Vanilla: Adds flavor.
- Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder adds a rich chocolate flavor and adds to the texture of these cupcakes.
- Baking Soda: This leavening agent gives rise to your cupcakes. Fresh baking soda is crucial for proper lift.
How to Make Chocolate Cupcakes
- In one bowl stir together the wet ingredients until combined, as described in the recipe card below.
- In another bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together. Add the dry ingredients to the wet.
- Bake in prepared muffin tins until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely before frosting.
Frosting for Cupcakes
- Chocolate buttercream is light and super smooth.
- 1-minute easy chocolate frosting and homemade chocolate frosting are both as quick and easy as the cupcakes themselves.
- Tangy cream cheese frosting can be tinted with food coloring for special occasions and holidays.
- Peanut butter frosting is rich and flavorful with that classic peanut butter taste.
- Nutella frosting is super creamy and fluffy!
Keeping Cupcakes Fresh
- Keep chocolate cupcakes in a covered container for up to 4 days.
- Pop baked and cooled cupcakes into zippered bags, toss them in the freezer, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 4 months. When you’re ready to frost, simply thaw them out first.
- For frosted cupcakes, wrap them snugly in plastic and freeze for up to 3 months.
Frostings and Toppings
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Chocolate Cupcakes
Chocolate cupcakes are moist, fluffy, and have a burst of rich chocolate flavor in every bite!
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup canola oil
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Line a muffin tin with 12 paper liners.
- In a large bowl stir together oil, brown sugar, buttermilk, egg and vanilla.
- In a second bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir just until mixed. Be careful not to overmix.
- Evenly divide cupcake batter into prepared muffin tin.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow cupcakes to cool completely before covering with frosting.
Notes
Chocolate cupcakes can be stored in a covered container on the counter for up to 4 days.
To freeze, let them cool and store in a zippered bag in the freezer for up to 4 months.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 186 | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 215mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Cake, Dessert
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Craving Chocolate?
