Best Homemade Chocolate Cupcakes
Chocolate Cupcakes made rich and decadent! Try our easy recipes for moist and chocolaty cupcakes that everyone will love.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 ¼ cups 160g all-purpose flour
- ½ cup 50g unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup 200g granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup 115g unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup 120ml buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup 120ml hot coffee (or hot water)
For the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup 230g unsalted butter, softened
- 2 ½ cups 300g powdered sugar
- ½ cup 50g unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup 60ml heavy cream or milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
Preheat and Prepare
- Before anything else, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even baking right from the start. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners, this makes cleanup easy and helps the cupcakes hold their shape beautifully.
Combine the Dry Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together:
- All-purpose flour – for structure
- Cocoa powder – for that deep, rich chocolate flavor
- Baking powder & baking soda – to help the cupcakes rise
- Salt – to enhance the chocolate’s intensity
- Whisk everything together to ensure an even mix. Sifting helps prevent lumps and makes the batter smooth and airy.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together:
- Melted butter – for richness and moisture
- Sugar – to balance the bitterness of cocoa
- Eggs – for structure and fluffiness
- Buttermilk – to keep the cupcakes soft and tender
- Vanilla extract – to enhance depth of flavor
- Mix until smooth and slightly frothy, this creates an airy texture that will keep your cupcakes light.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Slowly pour the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Gently fold using a spatula or a whisk. Don’t overmix! Overworking the batter can lead to dense cupcakes. Stir until just combined; a few small lumps are fine.
Add the Secret Ingredient: Hot Coffee (or Water)
- Here’s where the magic happens! Pour ½ cup of hot coffee (or water) into the batter and gently stir. The heat blooms the cocoa powder, unlocking its deepest flavors. Your batter will become slightly thin, this is exactly what we want for moist, tender cupcakes.
Fill and Bake
- Using an ice cream scoop or a spoon, divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. This gives them enough room to rise perfectly without spilling over.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs. The tops should be slightly domed and soft to the touch.
- Pro Tip: Every oven is different! Start checking at 18 minutes, if the cupcakes spring back when lightly pressed, they’re done.
Cool and Enjoy
- Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial, if they stay in the pan too long, they might become dense.
- Now, take a deep breath and enjoy that irresistible chocolate aroma filling your kitchen. These cupcakes are delicious on their own but even better when topped with a swirl of frosting!
Notes
Best Homemade Chocolate Cupcakes – Recipe Recap
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-22 minutes
- Total Time: ~35 minutes
- Servings: 12 cupcakes
- Calories per serving: ~230 kcal
Nutrition Information (Per Cupcake)
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | ~230 kcal |
| Total Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 7g |
| Cholesterol | 45mg |
| Sodium | 110mg |
| Carbohydrates | 28g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | 18g |
| Protein | 4g |
Recipe Categories
- Course: Dessert, Snack
- Cuisine: American, French-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
- Method: Baking
- Keyword: Chocolate cupcakes, homemade cupcakes, moist chocolate cupcakes, easy cupcake recipe
- Skill Level: Beginner-friendly
Quick Recap: How to Make the Best Chocolate Cupcakes
1️⃣ Preheat & Prep – Set oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.2️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients – Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3️⃣ Whisk Wet Ingredients – Blend butter, sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla until smooth.
4️⃣ Combine & Add Hot Liquid – Gently mix wet and dry ingredients, then stir in hot coffee or water for extra richness.
5️⃣ Bake – Fill cupcake liners ⅔ full and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6️⃣ Cool & Decorate – Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting with chocolate buttercream, ganache, or your favorite topping.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Bakery-quality texture – Soft, moist, and fluffy every time.✔ Deep, rich chocolate flavor – Enhanced with premium cocoa and hot coffee.
✔ Quick & easy – Perfect for beginners and ready in just 35 minutes!
✔ Endlessly customizable – Pair with different frostings and fun mix-ins. Now, it's your turn! Bake, decorate, and enjoy—because nothing beats a perfect homemade chocolate cupcake.