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Chocolate Cupcakes | Moist & Easy Homemade Recipe

Chocolate Cupcakes | Moist & Easy Homemade Recipe

These Chocolate Cupcakes are soft, moist, and loaded with rich chocolate flavor. Topped with silky chocolate buttercream frosting, they're an easy homemade dessert that's perfect for birthdays, celebrations, bake sales, or any chocolate lover.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Cooling time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 345

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Cupcakes

  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup hot coffee or hot water
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 –3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Equipment

  • 1 12-Cup Muffin Pan Standard size
  • 12 Cupcake Liners Paper or foil
  • 2 Mixing Bowls Wet and dry ingredients
  • 1 Electric Mixer For frosting
  • 1 Whisk Mix dry ingredients
  • 1 Ice Cream Scoop Even batter portions
  • 1 Cooling Rack Cool cupcakes completely
  • 1 Piping Bag Optional for frosting

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.Whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.Add the eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla, mixing until smooth.Slowly stir in the hot coffee until the batter is thin and fully combined.Fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full.Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.Cool the cupcakes in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.Beat the butter until fluffy. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, salt, and cream until smooth.Pipe or spread the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes.Decorate with chocolate sprinkles, shaved chocolate, or mini chocolate chips if desired.

Notes

  • Don't overmix the batter.
  • Cool completely before frosting.
  • Use room-temperature ingredients for the best texture.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 3 months.
    Adding hot coffee to the batter intensifies the chocolate flavor without making the cupcakes taste like coffee.