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Chocolate cupcake with paper removed beside glass of milk
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Double Chocolate Cupcakes

These Double Chocolate Cupcakes have a super soft, fluffy and moist cupcake crumb and a rich chocolate flavor. Then the cupcakes are topped with the creamiest chocolate frosting. These are way better than any chocolate cupcake from a box and easily do-able for any home baker!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Chocolate Cupcakes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Cooling 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours
Servings 12 cupcakes
Calories 478kcal

Equipment

  • 12-cavity muffin pan

Ingredients

Chocolate Cupcakes

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (125 grams) spooned & leveled
  • ½ cup cocoa powder (45-grams) I use dutch processed
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil (60 ml)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
  • 1 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ cup buttermilk* (120 ml) room temperature
  • cup coffee (80 ml) freshly brewed, or boiling water

Chocolate Buttercream

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (226 grams) softened to room temperature
  • 3.5-4.5 cups powdered sugar (385-495 grams) sifted
  • ¾ cup cocoa powder (68 grams) sifted
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3-4 tablespoons whipping cream (45-60 ml) or milk

Instructions

Chocolate Cupcakes

  • Preheat the oven to 350F (180C) degrees and a 12-cavity muffin pan with muffin papers.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar
  • In a separate large bowl whisk together the oil, egg, vanilla extract and milk. When finished, you should no longer see any pieces of egg.
  • Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into the well. Whisk together.
  • Once the batter is about 60-70% mixed, carefully pour in the hot coffee/boiling water and whisk everything together until smooth.
  • Spoon the batter into the prepared cupcake pan, filling each about ½ full. You should end up with 11 or 12 cupcakes. If you only get 9 or 10, the cupcakes are too full.
  • Bake 1 tray at a time on the middle rack of the preheated oven for 16-20 minutes, or until the tops feel slightly firm to the touch and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
  • Let cool in the pan for 10-20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling

Chocolate Frosting

  • In a large bowl using a stand or hand-held electric mixer, beat the butter until fluffy.
  • Add in 2 cups powdered sugar, vanilla extract and salt and beat until combined starting with the mixer on a low speed.
  • Turn the mixer down to low speed and beat in the cocoa powder. If lumpy, be sure to sift the cocoa first.
  • Beat in the rest of the powdered sugar about ½ cup at a time, alternating with 1 tablespoon cream until the desired sweetness and thickness is reach.
  • Frost the cupcakes using a piping bag and your favorite cupcake piping tip (I used a 1M) or a flat edge knife. Optionally decorate with chocolate chips or sprinkles. 

Notes

  1. Room Temperature Ingredients: Be sure that the egg and milk are at room temperature before getting started for the best results. 
  2. Frosting: If you plan to frost the cupcakes with a knife, you won't need as much frosting. Instead use:
    • ½ cup butter
    • 2-3 cups powdered sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
    • 1-3 tablespoons whipping cream
  3. Make-ahead & Storage: Cupcakes are best if enjoyed the same day they're made. Leftovers keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. If you'd like to make the cupcakes the day before, cool fully then store in an airtight container at room temperature. Make the frosting the day of. 
  4. Nutrition: Nutrition information is an estimate only and based on 1 cupcake with frosting, assuming the recipe yields 12 equal cupcakes and all the frosting is used. 

Nutrition

Calories: 478kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 236mg | Potassium: 170mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 57g | Vitamin A: 567IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg