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Best Easy Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 130 reviews
  • Author: Jack
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x

Description

These Best Easy Chocolate Cupcakes are moist, rich, and full of deep chocolate flavor. Made with a combination of melted dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and butter, they offer a decadent treat that’s simple to prepare. Topped with a luscious chocolate fudge frosting, these cupcakes are perfect for any occasion from casual family gatherings to special celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup plain/all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup caster sugar (super fine sugar, or sub with normal white sugar)
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda / bicarbonate soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • 120g (8 tbsp) unsalted butter, cut into 1″ / 2cm pieces (1 US stick / 1/2 cup)
  • 60g (2 oz) dark chocolate, preferably 70%+ cocoa, broken into pieces
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder, preferably Dutch processed
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil (or other neutral flavour oil)
  • 2 large eggs (55 – 60g / 2 oz each)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 tsp white vinegar

Frosting Ingredients

  • 120g (8 tbsp) unsalted butter, cut into 1″ / 2cm pieces (1 US stick / 1/2 cup)
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder, preferably Dutch processed
  • 2 1/2 cups soft icing sugar / powdered sugar (NOT pure icing sugar)
  • 3 – 4 tbsp milk (any kind)
  • Sprinkles and other decorations, if desired

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C fan). Position the oven rack in the middle to ensure even baking.
  2. Prepare Cupcake Liners: Line a cupcake tin with 12 cupcake liners for easy removal and neat presentation.
  3. Sift Dry Ingredients: Sift the plain flour, caster sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder into a bowl and whisk briefly to combine.
  4. Melt Butter and Chocolate: In a separate large heatproof bowl, combine the butter and dark chocolate pieces. Microwave for 45 seconds, stir, then microwave for another 30 seconds. Continue to microwave in 20-second bursts and stir until the mixture is fully melted and smooth.
  5. Add Cocoa Powder: Mix the cocoa powder into the melted chocolate and butter mixture until smooth.
  6. Combine Wet Ingredients: Stir in the milk and vegetable oil, followed by the eggs, vanilla extract, and white vinegar. Whisk the mixture until smooth and well incorporated.
  7. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and whisk until the batter is lump-free and well combined.
  8. Fill Cupcake Liners: Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, divide the batter evenly among the 12 cupcake liners, filling each just over three-quarters full to allow room for rising.
  9. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
  10. Cool: Remove the cupcakes from the oven and immediately transfer them to a cooling rack using a spoon or knife to loosen if needed. Let them cool completely before icing.
  11. Frost Cupcakes: Once cooled, spread your choice of frosting on the cupcakes. For this recipe, use the Speedy Chocolate Fudge Frosting or Chocolate Buttercream Frosting as preferred.
  12. Make Speedy Chocolate Fudge Frosting: Melt the butter in a bowl, then stir in cocoa powder until smooth.
  13. Add Icing Sugar and Milk: Gradually mix in the soft icing sugar and 3-4 tablespoons of milk. Stir until smooth and adjust the milk amount to obtain a soft, spreadable consistency similar to peanut butter.
  14. Decorate: Use the frosting to coat the cooled cupcakes and decorate with sprinkles or other decorations as desired.

Notes

  • Note 1: Baking soda is used as a leavening agent to help the cupcakes rise.
  • Note 2: Using dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content enhances the richness of the flavor.
  • Note 3: Dutch processed cocoa powder provides a smoother, less acidic chocolate taste.
  • Ensure the cupcakes are fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
  • Ice cream scoop helps portion batter evenly for uniform cupcakes.
  • Microwave times may vary; melt chocolate and butter carefully to avoid burning.
  • If desired, chocolate buttercream frosting can be used as an alternative to the fudge frosting.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Baking
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: chocolate cupcakes, easy chocolate cupcake recipe, chocolate fudge frosting, homemade cupcakes, baking cupcakes

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Find it online: https://eatwithjack.com/best-easy-chocolate-cupcakes-recipe/