My easy Chocolate Cupcakes recipe yields cupcakes that are light, fluffy, and so much better than a box mix! Made quickly and easily in just one bowl, they can be baked and frosted in less than an hour. Recipe includes a how-to video!
The Perfect Chocolate Cupcakes
You’re going to be so happy you found this recipe. After all, who doesn’t love a perfectly balanced chocolate cupcake (preferably topped with a generous swirl of chocolate buttercream). My recipe is incredibly moist, so soft, and so perfectly fluffy. Taste wise, they’re sweet without being too sweet and have a pronounced chocolate flavor. Plus, they’re incredibly quick and easy to make in just one bowl! To put it simply, these chocolate cupcakes are just wonderful.
I first published this recipe six years ago and itโs been a huge hit with my readers and my own faithful go-to chocolate cupcake recipe (I prefer my slightly heavier chocolate cake recipe for cakes). However, the original recipe made a large, awkward number of cupcakes, so I’ve scaled down the recipe to now make a neat 24 cupcakes.
The original recipe also produced cupcakes with completely flat tops, and I’ve since remedied that so the cupcakes come out with subtle domed tops. They look lovely with a swirl of frosting, and speaking of frosting, these cupcakes go great with any kind!
What You Need
Making chocolate cupcakes from scratch is just as easy as using a box mix, but they taste so much better. Here are a few of the ingredients you’ll be using today:
- Cocoa powder. I recommend using natural, regular cocoa powder in your chocolate cupcakes. Dutch process will change the flavor and could impact the texture (if the baking soda isn’t fully neutralized), so I’d recommend sticking with the recipe as written.
- Hot water/coffee. It is very important that you use a hot liquid (the hotter the better, but be careful not to splash yourself with it while mixing) as this reacts with the cocoa powder, causing it to “bloom” and fully develop the rich flavor of the cocoa.
- Oil. Don’t be tempted to replace the oil with melted butter, please! Using oil makes these chocolate cupcakes super moist without weighing them down. The cocoa powder (when bloomed by the hot liquid) provides plenty of flavor, so butter is unnecessary (never would have thought I would type those words!) and actually yields a less-desirable cupcake.
- Cornstarch. I’ve updated this recipe to include a tablespoon of cornstarch. One of my favorite secret ingredients (you may recognize it from my worst chocolate chip cookies), this simple addition keeps them tender, soft, and fluffy and it also gives these formerly completely flat cupcakes a slight rounded dome.
SAM’S TIP: If you choose to use coffee, your chocolate cupcakes will not taste mocha-esque; rather the coffee helps to enhance the rich chocolate flavors of the cocoa powder. I recommend you use it!
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make Chocolate Cupcakes
- Whisk all of the dry ingredients and sugar together.
- Add the oil, egg, and vanilla and mix to combine (mixture will seem crumbly, just make sure the dry ingredients have all been moistened).
- Slowly drizzle in the milk and continue stirring until the batter looks uniform.
- Gradually and carefully add the hot liquid and mix until everything is completely combined.
Itโs very important to not fill your cupcake liners higher than โ full. If you do, the batter will spread out over the tops and the resulting cupcakes will have flat tops that are likely to sink in on themselves. Opt for under-filling rather than over-filling, and if you do happen to have leftover batter, make extra cupcakes or discard it.
- Evenly divide the batter among a lined cupcake pan and bake for 17-19 minutes.
- Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
SAM’S TIP: I recommend baking one pan of chocolate cupcakes at a time, just in case your oven bakes unevenly or does something funky while baking, or even just in case you accidentally leave the first batch in too long.
While you can always stick with the easy frosting I’ve linked to in the recipe, my chocolate cupcake recipe tastes lovely with just about any topping. Some of my top recommendations are brown butter frosting, marshmallow frosting, cream cheese frosting, peanut butter frosting, Swiss meringue buttercream, or vanilla frosting.
Frequently Asked Questions
This chocolate cupcake batter will be very, very thin–much different from the thick batter of my vanilla cake. Itโll seem almost watery/soupy. This is normal and means youโve done everything right!ย
While I do have a great chocolate cake recipe, you can use this recipe to make a two layer 8″ or 9″ cake. I provide instructions on how to do this in the recipe notes.
I don’t recommend it. I suggest you make my easy vanilla cupcake recipe instead!
With only 15 minutes to prep and only one bowl to dirty, what are you waiting for!?
Enjoy!
Letโs bake together! Iโll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
Truly the Best Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 โ cups (333 g) granulated sugar
- 1 ยฝ cups (188 g) all-purpose flour
- โ cup (65 g) natural cocoa powder see note 1
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch see note 2
- 1 ยฝ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ยผ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- ยฝ cup (118 ml) canola or vegetable oil
- 1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk room temperature preferred
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- โ cup (157 ml) whole milk room temperature preferred
- 1 cup (236 ml) hot coffee see note 3, may substitute hot water
- 1 batch chocolate buttercream or preferred frosting
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Arrange rack to center of oven and preheat oven to 350F (175C). Line two 12-count muffin tins with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt (I make this recipe with an electric mixer but it can be done by hand using a whisk and spatula instead).1 โ cups (333 g) granulated sugar, 1 ยฝ cups (188 g) all-purpose flour, โ cup (65 g) natural cocoa powder, 1 Tablespoon cornstarch, 1 ยฝ teaspoons baking powder, 1 ยผ teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon table salt
- Add canola oil, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract and stir until batter is combined (it will be a bit dry and crumbly but all of the flour mixture should be moistened before proceeding).ยฝ cup (118 ml) canola or vegetable oil, 1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Drizzle in milk while stirring and stir until batter is uniform and completely combined.โ cup (157 ml) whole milk
- Gradually add hot coffee or hot water (take care not to burn yourself!) and stir until liquid is completely incorporated into the batter and you have a smooth chocolate batter. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure everything is well-combined. The batter will be very thin, this is normal!1 cup (236 ml) hot coffee
- Evenly divide batter into prepared muffin tin, but take care to fill liners between ยฝ and not more than โ of the way full, this is typically about 3 Tablespoons of batter or less per cupcake liner. Over-filled liners will result in cupcakes with flat tops and they may cave in on themselves. If you have excess batter, discard it (or make extra cupcakes!).
- Transfer one pan of cupcakes to 350F (175C) preheated oven and bake for 17-19 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (or clean). Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes in baking pan before carefully removing to cooling rack to cool completely before frosting (I like to use a knife to gently pry up the cupcake from the bottom and then carefully lift it out to a cooling rack). Repeat with second pan of cupcakes
- Once cupcakes have cooled, frost with my chocolate frosting or your favorite frosting recipe.1 batch chocolate buttercream
Notes
Cocoa powder
I recommend using natural unsweetened cocoa powder for best results. However, in a pinch Dutch process cocoa powder can be used instead, but note that the flavor will be slightly different and the cupcakes will be darker.Cornstarch
Cornstarch is my secret ingredient, it makes the cupcakes tender and fluffy and gives them the perfect, slight domed tops. However, if you do not have it on hand you may omit it, note that your cupcakes will likely be flatter though.Hot coffee/hot water
A hot liquid is essential to properly blooming the cocoa powder (which gives the cake a pronounced, rich chocolate flavor). I like to use hot coffee because the coffee flavor enhances the chocolate, making the flavor even richer and deeper. However, you can just use hot water instead. The hotter the liquid the better; boiling is fine, just be careful! Please note I donโt recommend using other hot liquids such as hot chocolate which often have other additives and sugar added and could adversely affect the final outcome.Frosting
I used my Ateco 848 tip to pipe the frosting on the cupcakes in the photos above and in the video. If you wish to frost all of your cupcakes this generously you will want to double the frosting called for in the recipe that I linked to, but honestly you donโt need to and a more modest amount (half the amount shown) works great and allows the cupcake flavor to really shine, it just didnโt look quite as nice in the pictures!Baking chocolate cupcake batter in different sized pans
You may bake these cupcakes in two 8โ pans for 35-37 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs. In two 9โ pans the cakes will take a bit less time, start checking at 30-32 minutes. This recipe should also work just fine in a 13×9โ pan, but I would keep an eye on it as I havenโt tested it in this size pan yet.Original recipe
I’ve received a lot of requests for the original recipe. As I mentioned in my post, this current recipe is the one I recommend, it’s simply scaled down from that one to make an even 24 cupcakes, to prevent the overflowing issue many people were having, and a bit of cornstarch has been added to improve structure. It’s a slightly better cupcake recipe for the changes and I recommend using the recipe as seen here. However, since so many of you have asked, here is the original recipe. Please note that I am not accepting comments or questions on the original and recommend you use the recipe I have published here currently.ยNutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Related Recipes
My chocolate cupcake recipe was originally published in March of 2016. A few small modifications were made to scale the recipe down to 24 even cupcakes without changing the texture, and the post has been updated to be more informative and a how-to video has been added.
Claire Johnson
This might be a silly question, but when you say the hotter the better, do you mean boiling, or like tea hot? I don’t drink coffee so I don’t know how hot it comes out of a coffee maker? Either way, I’m excited to try this recipe!
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Claire! I would say Tea Hot. ๐
Claire Johnson
Just finished my cupcakes, super delicious. I ended up with 31 cupcakes, so maybe I didn’t fill them far enough, but they turned out beautiful so I’m not mad, lol. Thank you for posting this great recipe. I paired them with a chocolate whipped cream cheese frosting and it was super tasty, I think next time im going to do a raspberry filling too.
Sugar Spun Run
That is wonderful to hear, Claire! I am glad that you enjoyed them. Raspberry filling sounds delightful. I also have a
dark chocolate cupcake with raspberry icing that you may also enjoy! Thanks again for trying this recipe. ๐
Dani
These didnโt work out for me. They were soupy and the sugar crystallized on top.
Sam
Hi Dani, I am sorry to hear that. The actual cupcakes were soupy after they were baked? If that is the case it sounds like they just needed more time in the oven and they weren’t baked all the way through.
Amy
Hello,
These were super easy to make and simply delicious. I haven’t baked in ages so I wasn’t very confident.
My kids loved it (as do myself). They rampages through three each!
Thanks for an amazing recipe. We look forward to trying other things from your website as we are in Canada, kids are home until further notice.
Amy
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you all enjoyed the cupcakes, Amy! Thank you for trying my recipe. I can’t wait to hear what recipe you try next! ๐
Kelly
Fantastic! I used used coffee made from my Nespresso, and ended up a little short so I made some espresso from my Nespresso to make up the difference. I over filled just a tad and did have a few sink after baking, no big deal, an easy hide with frosting, which I used leftover butter cream cheese frosting I had on hand.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that it worked out well and you enjoyed the cupcakes, Kelly! Thank you for trying my recipe and for commenting. ๐
Rathida
Hello, wanted to try this for my daughterโs first birthday next week. Would this recipe work for 4 and 6 inch pans? Or just specifically for cupcakes? I wanted to do 2 4in layers, and 2 6 inch layers. Do you know if one batch would be enough to fill 4 pans?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Rathida! This batter is enough to fill (2) 8″ pans or (1) 13″ x 9″ pan. My best guess is that you SHOULD have enough. The layers may be slightly thinner than what is shown. Let me know how it works out. ๐
Natz
I made these for my daughter’s birthday. Everyone loved them. Super soft and moist. The batter wa so thin that I was worried but wow. They turned out perfect
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that they turned out perfectly for you, Natz and I am happy that your family loved them. ๐
Laura
Hi! I was wondering if this was supposed to be… almost liquid? I know you said donยดt panic, but Iยดm a lil worried?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Laura! Yes, this is a very liquidy batter. No need to worry. ๐
Beth
Hi, I was wondering what the measurements were for halving? Thanks!
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Beth! If you were to halve this recipe you would need:
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup + 7 Tbsp all-purpose flour
7 Tbsp natural unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup canola oil vegetable oil would also be fine
1/2 cup milk
1 egg lightly beaten (preferably room temperature)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup hot water (or hot coffee or 1 tsp instant coffee dissolved into 1 cup hot water)
Elicia Bedell
Can I reuse the batter? Iโve had it in my fridge about 3 days?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Elicia! Yes, that should be fine. ๐
Erin
I made these last night. Super easy and possibly the best cupcakes I’ve ever tasted. Followed the recipe exactly, just halved it. THANK YOU!!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you LOVED the cupcakes, Erin! Thank you for trying my recipe and for commenting. ๐
Miriam
Hi, was really excited to make these with my four year old today on lockdown in Spain only to find we had run out of baking powder after mixing the cocoa, sugar and flour together. disaster! I went out to the shops, one of the two places weโre allowed out to at the moment, though weโre not yet in major need of a food shop to find that they had sold out of baking powder. Obviously everyone has had the same idea, here. Anything you can suggest we do with the dry pre-mixed ingredients? I was thinking chocolate pancakes or something… Iโd appreciate any tips!
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Miriam! Unfortunately, there isn’t a substitute that can be used for baking powder. I do have a chocolate cake recipe that uses baking soda instead that can easily be turned into cupcakes. ๐
Miriam
We added a bit extra baking soda and they turned out great. Thanks for the recipe, delicious!!
Sugar Spun Run
Awesome! Glad it worked out so well for you, Miriam! ๐
Dallon Pace
So delicious! thank you for putting your recipe out there.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the cupcakes, Dallon! Thanks for commenting and for trying my recipe! ๐
Kim
Absolutely delicious!!!!! Favorite recipe๐๐๐
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that the cupcakes were such a hit, Kim! Thank you for commenting. ๐
G-dubs
These cupcakes were AMAZING!!!! I replaced the coffee for hot cocoa.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed them, G! Thank you for trying my recipe and for commenting. ๐
Emily Woodcock
Hello! Just made these, ad cancelled party lol. Can these be frozen prior to adding frosting?
THank you!
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Emily! I am sorry that your party was canceled. Yes, you can freeze them. I reccomend storing them in an airtight container. ๐