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Easy Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

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5 from 97 reviews

This Easy Chocolate Cupcake recipe yields moist, rich chocolate cupcakes with two decadent frosting options: a silky chocolate buttercream and a creamy chocolate cream cheese frosting. Perfectly balanced with cocoa and a hint of coffee to enhance depth of flavor, these cupcakes are baked to perfection. Ideal for celebrations or any chocolate craving, the recipe guides you step-by-step from batter to deliciously smooth frostings.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cupcakes

  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups Flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp Baking powder
  • 1 tsp Baking soda
  • 1/3 cup Cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup Vegetable oil
  • 1 cup Hot coffee
  • 2 tsp Vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

  • 340 g Butter (room temperature)
  • 2 cups Powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup Cocoa powder
  • 150 g Dark chocolate

For the Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 230 g Cream cheese (softened)
  • 115 g Butter (softened)
  • 3 1/2 cups Powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup Cocoa powder
  • 1 Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and kosher salt until well combined.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients to Batter: Pour in the hot coffee, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and eggs into the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly until the batter is smooth and evenly combined.
  4. Fill Cupcake Liners: Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full to allow room for rising during baking.
  5. Bake Cupcakes: Place the cupcake pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Cool Cupcakes: Allow cupcakes to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
  7. Prepare Chocolate Buttercream Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the room temperature butter with a hand or stand mixer until it becomes light and fluffy. Add half of the powdered sugar along with the cocoa powder and mix until combined. Add the remaining powdered sugar and continue mixing until smooth.
  8. Melt and Add Chocolate: Melt the dark chocolate and let it cool to room temperature. Once cooled, add it to the buttercream mixture and beat until well combined and smooth.
  9. Prepare Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting: In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy. Add the softened cream cheese and mix until smooth. Then add powdered sugar, cocoa powder, kosher salt, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, mixing well until the frosting is creamy and even.
  10. Frost the Cupcakes: Once cupcakes are completely cooled, frost them generously with your choice of chocolate buttercream or cream cheese frosting.

Notes

  • Ensure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
  • Hot coffee intensifies the chocolate flavor but can be substituted with hot water if preferred.
  • Use room temperature ingredients for smooth batter and frostings.
  • Dark chocolate quality impacts the richness of the frosting—choose a good quality chocolate for best results.
  • Cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated up to 5 days.
  • Allow refrigerated cupcakes to come to room temperature before serving for best taste.

Keywords: chocolate cupcake, easy cupcake recipe, chocolate buttercream frosting, cream cheese frosting, chocolate dessert, homemade cupcakes, chocolate cake

Find it online: https://chefmilacook.com/easy-chocolate-cupcake-recipe/