Ultimate Chocolate Cupcakes

A chocolate cupcake covered in chocolate frosting - 1

chocolate cupcake with a bite taken out - 2

chocolate cupcakes with ganache frosting - 3

A luscious chocolate cupcake with creamy frosting and delicate chocolate shavings graces a white surface. Nestled in a dark brown paper liner, this delectable treat epitomizes the rich indulgence of classic Chocolate Cupcakes. - 8

This Ultimate Chocolate Cupcakes recipe is packed with deep chocolatey goodness. Topped with a ganache frosting they really are a treat to behold.

Three chocolate cupcakes, rich and indulgent, adorned with delicate chocolate shavings, are beautifully displayed on white pedestal stands against a pristine white background. - 9

Sometimes you just need a little chocolate. OK, a lot of chocolate! And these cupcakes do not disappoint! They are packed with chocolate in every single bite! Moist chocolate cake, topped with delectable chocolate ganache frosting that’s covered in chocolate curls – yes, please! I’ve shared a variety of chocolate cupcakes and cake recipes, like my Devil’s Food Cupcakes and my showstopping Triple Layer Chocolate Ganache Cake . And while I love them all, if I could only ever bake one chocolate cupcakes recipe ever again, I would be just fine with this one.

Why This Recipe Works

Using both butter and oil adds moisture and a little buttery richness.
Buttermilk adds moisture and a little tangy flavor and works with the baking soda to help the cupcakes rise with a light, fluffy texture.
Using a combination of brown and white sugars adds sweetness, moisture and flavor without being too sweet.
Espresso powder intensifies the chocolate flavor.

How To Make Ultimate Chocolate Cupcakes

Mix the dry ingredients together.
Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, oil, butter, sugar and vanilla until smooth.
Combine wet and dry ingredients.
Pour into muffin cases and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
Make the ganache frosting.
Frost the cooled cupcakes.
Serve and enjoy!

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

flour, cocoa powder, eggs and buttermilk - 10

Flour: Use all purpose flour/plain flour.
Cocoa Powder: I use unsweetened cocoa powder as I prefer my chocolate cakes to be chocolatey but not overly sweet.
Espresso Powder: The espresso powder is optional, but I use it to intensify chocolate flavor. You can also use instant coffee by adding a teaspoon into the wet ingredients and mixing until it dissolves into the liquid.
Eggs: Always use room temperature eggs, eggs that have been stored in the fridge won’t combine as well with the other ingredients. If you refrigerate your eggs, simply remove them from the fridge and leave at room temperature for an hour before you bake.
Sugar: This recipe calls for two types of sugar, granulated and light brown sugar. If you don’t have light brown sugar, you can use all granulated, the brown sugar just adds a lovely caramel element to the chocolate cakes.
Oil: I like to use canola oil in this recipe, but you can use any other vegetable oil you like that has a neutral flavor.
Butter: I use salted butter, but if you have unsalted that is fine too.
Buttermilk: Whole or low fat buttermilk will work just as well. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute with full fat sour cream loosened with a little milk.
Vanilla: I use vanilla extract, but you can use vanilla bean paste too.
Chocolate Curls: You can make your own chocolate curls (read on to find out how), or you can buy them store-bought. If you can’t find chocolate curls, mini chocolate chips make a great substitution.

Equipment

All you need for this recipe is two 12-section cupcake pans, cupcake liners, two bowls, one whisk, and a rubber scraper. There’s no creaming of butter in this, so there is no need to break out the mixer (although you can absolutely use a hand or stand mixer if you’d rather).

How to Make Chocolate Curls

a cutting board covered with chocolate curls - 11

Chocolate curls are easily made using a vegetable peeler and a room-temperate chocolate bar. Just unwrap the bar and gently peel strips off the side of the bar (it works better if you try to dig the peeler into the chocolate). The strips will naturally curl as you go. Rotate the bar as the chocolate warms in your hands. If you’re having trouble achieving a curl, try placing the chocolate bar in the microwave for ten seconds.

Step By Step Instructions

Using a whisk, mix together the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder (if using), baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large mixing bowl until well combined. Set aside.

cocoa powder, sugar and flour sifted in a bowl - 12

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, butter, vanilla, and buttermilk together until completely combined and smooth.

eggs and buttermilk whisked in a jug - 13

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently until just combined, being careful not to over-mix. The batter will be thin.

Fill the liners two-thirds full with the batter. I like to use an ice cream scoop so that I have an equal amount of batter in each cupcake liner.

chocolate cake batter poured into a muffin tin - 15

Bake for 18-21 minutes. To Check for doneness, remove the cupcakes from the oven, then gently press down on the cupcake with your finger. If the cupcake bounces back completely, they are done. If your finger leaves a dent, it needs more time.

Allow your chocolate cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.

chocolate cupcakes straight out of the oven - 16

Make the frosting by adding warm cream over chocolate chips and stirring until the chocolate has melted. Then, let it sit in the fridge until it’s thick enough to spread. For more detailed instructions as well as tips, see my post for chocolate ganache frosting .

Once the frosting has set and your chocolate cupcakes are cool, spread the frosting over each cupcake.

Then cover the frosting with chocolate curls – See why I’ve called them Ultimate Chocolate Cupcakes?

A luscious chocolate cupcake topped with a generous amount of chocolate shavings sits elegantly on a white ceramic pedestal stand. The textured surface and dark brown wrapper perfectly showcase the rich allure of chocolate cupcakes against the crisp white background. - 19

Serve and enjoy every last bite!

A chocolate cupcake with rich frosting is partially unwrapped and has a bite taken out, revealing its moist, dark interior. The delicate swirled peaks on the frosting make these chocolate cupcakes an irresistible treat. - 20

Erren’s Top Tips

When ingredients are different temperatures, they don’t combine well. Bringing ingredients to the same temperature helps them to mix together better.
Only Mix your batter until the wet and dry ingredients are just combined. Overmixing will result in a tough, dense cupcake.
Use good quality, grease-proof liners to avoid your cupcakes sticking to the liner.
Follow the recipe instructions. Over or under filling can lead to disaster. When in doubt, fill the liners 2/3 of the way full.
Allow your chocolate cupcakes to cool completely before frosting – This may sound like a no brainer, but if you’re a beginner, you may not know that trying to frost a warm cupcake will cause the frosting to melt and slip right off. Be patient and wait until they are completely cool.

Make ahead and Freezing Instructions

Make-Ahead: You can make these Chocolate Cupcakes ahead of time and freeze them for up to 3 months. Simply defrost thoroughly and decorate when ready to use.
At Room Temperature: You can store the finished chocolate cupcakes at room temperature in an airtight container for up to three days.
I do not recommend storing these cupcakes in the fridge as it will cause them to dry out. Freeze these Chocolate Cupcakes (without the frosting) for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container.

Rate This Recipe

Ingredients

For The Cupcakes:

▢ ¾ cup all-purpose flour
▢ ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
▢ 1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
▢ ¾ teaspoon baking powder
▢ ½ teaspoon baking soda
▢ ½ teaspoon salt
▢ 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
▢ ½ cup granulated sugar
▢ ½ cup light brown sugar ((100g )packed )
▢ 4 tablespoons canola oil (vegetable oil or melted coconut oil)
▢ 2 tablespoons butter (melted and cooled)
▢ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
▢ ½ cup buttermilk (at room temperature)

For The Frosting:

▢ 1½ cups whipping cream heavy cream (double cream and whipping cream are all good options)
▢ 12 ounces dark chocolate (no more than 60% Cocoa solids chopped)
▢ 1 pinch kosher salt optional

For the topping:

▢ ½ cup chocolate curls (or mini chocolate chips)

Instructions

For the cupcakes:

Preheat the oven to 350°F/177°C. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. This recipe makes 12 to 15 cupcakes, so have a second pan and a few more liners handy. Set aside.
Using a whisk, mix together the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder (if using), baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large mixing bowl until well combined. Set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, butter, vanilla, and buttermilk together until completely combined and smooth.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined being careful not to over mix. The batter will be thin.
Fill the liners two-thirds full with the batter. Bake for 18-21 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting:

Heat the cream in a small saucepan until it’s just below boiling, around 190°F to 200°F (88°C to 93°C). Don’t let it fully boil—if it does, let it cool back down to the right temperature before moving on.
Put the chocolate and salt in a medium bowl, then pour the hot cream over them. Let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes.
Whisk the cream and melted chocolate together until fully combined and smooth. Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then cover it with plastic wrap and allow it to cool completely until it thickens to a spreadable consistency. This will take about 3 hours at room temperature. You can refrigerate it to speed up the process, but the frosting may not set evenly. If refrigerating, stir it often to keep the texture smooth and consistent.
Frost cooled cupcakes and cover in chocolate curls.

Tips

I suggest using chocolate that is no more than 60% Cocoa solids as higher percentages chocolates are much harder to melt and can cause your ganache to break or cease.
When ingredients are at different temperatures, they don’t combine well. Bringing ingredients to the same temperature helps them to mix together better.
Only Mix your batter until the wet and dry ingredients are just combined. Overmixing will result in a tough, dense cupcake.
Use good quality, grease-proof liners to avoid your cupcakes sticking to the liner.
Follow the recipe instructions. Over or underfilling can lead to disaster. When in doubt, fill the liners 2/3 of the way full.
Allow your chocolate cupcakes to cool completely before frosting – This may sound like a no-brainer, but if you’re a beginner, you may not know that trying to frost a warm cupcake will cause the frosting to melt and slip right off. Be patient and wait until they are completely cool.

Nutrition