Moist Chocolate Cupcakes (BEST Recipe!)

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Written ByDorothy Kern

Published OnMarch 24, 2024

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read my disclosure policy.

If you’ve been looking for the best Chocolate Cupcake Recipe, you’ve landed in the right place! These chocolate cupcakes are soft, moist, and rich – the only chocolate cupcake recipe you need forever.

Moist Chocolate Cupcakes (BEST Recipe!) - Crazy for Crust (2)

Homemade Chocolate Cupcakes

Looking for the best chocolate cupcake recipe that will make you swoon? You’ve come to the right place! These ultra-chocolatey, fudgy cupcakes are a chocoholic’s dream come true. They’re easy enough for beginners but have that bakery-level flavor that will wow even the most discerning dessert lovers.

While I love a box cake mix, it never achieves the same level as making the recipe homemade. These cupcakes are made completely from scratch and they are so fluffy, moist, and delicious with the best chocolate flavor.

These a great for birthday parties, not only because they are delicious, but because they are accidentally egg and dairy free! This batch comes out to about 30 cupcakes so you’ll be set for any number of guests at any party. I frosted these cupcakes with chocolate buttercream frosting, but there are so many other options.

Moist Chocolate Cupcakes (BEST Recipe!) - Crazy for Crust (3)

Ingredients Needed

All-Purpose Flour, Granulated Sugar, Salt: Classic dry ingredients in cupcakes.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Make sure to use regular cocoa powder not dutch-process cocoa powder. Since these cupcakes are leavened with Baking Soda, the recipe may have issues with dark cocoa.
White Vinegar: This activates the baking soda for a moist and fluffy cupcake. Don’t have it? Use lemon juice instead.
Vegetable Oil: I find oil in cupcakes keeps them super moist – canola oil may be substituted.
Hot Water: Helps bloom the cocoa powder release all its flavor. You can also add some espresso powder or Instant Coffee Granules to bring out the flavor even more.

Moist Chocolate Cupcakes (BEST Recipe!) - Crazy for Crust (4)

Moist Chocolate Cupcakes (BEST Recipe!) - Crazy for Crust (5)

How to Make Chocolate Cupcakes

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and pinch of salt.
In a large mixing cup, combine the hot water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla.
Pour wet ingredients into the flour mixture and whisk just until the batter comes together. Don’t over mix it – it’s okay if there are a few lumps. That’s right – you don’t even need a stand mixer or hand mixer for this recipe!
Fill cupcake liners in a muffin pan about 2/3 full with batter and bake the cupcakes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool them completely before frosting.

Chocolate Frosting + More Ideas

Frost cupcakes with your favorite frosting!

Chocolate Ganache or whipped ganache
Cooked Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Whipped Cream Frosting
Cream Cheese Frosting
Peanut Butter Frosting

Moist Chocolate Cupcakes (BEST Recipe!) - Crazy for Crust (7)

Expert Tips

You don’t need a mixer – if you want to use one, mix at low speed until the dry ingredients are somewhat incorporated, then switch to high speed until the batter comes together. Use a paddle attachment if using a stand mixer. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl.
Cupcakes are done when a toothpick entered in the center comes out clean.
If you do not have white vinegar, use lemon juice as a replacement. You won’t taste it – the acid is needed to activate the baking soda. You’ll be amazed at the tenderness of these cupcakes.
Don’t over mix the batter and don’t over fill the muffin tin – just fill it about 2/3 full for perfectly domed tops that don’t overflow.

FAQs

How to store this recipe?

Store in an airtight container for 3 days or in the freezer for up to a month. You can freeze frosted or unfrosted cupcakes.

Can you make this into a chocolate cake recipe?

You can make this into a layer cake – you’ll need 3 8-inch or 9-inch rounds. If you’re making a sheet cake, you can use a 9×13-inch pan but only fill it 2/3 full and make some cupcakes on the side.

The Best Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

4.11 from 73 votes

The richest, most decadent chocolate cupcakes ever! You'll never make another chocolate cupcake again once you've had these.

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Yield 30 cupcakes

Serving Size 1 cupcake

Ingredients

▢ 3 cups (372g) all purpose flour
▢ 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
▢ ½ cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder
▢ 2 teaspoons baking soda
▢ 1 teaspoon salt not kosher, just regular table salt
▢ 2 cups (474ml) hot water
▢ ¾ cup (177ml) vegetable oil
▢ 2 tablespoons (30ml) distilled or white vinegar
▢ 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules (optional)
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ Chocolate Buttercream Frosting (or use your favorite)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cupcake pans with liners (about 30).
Whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
Combine water, oil, vinegar, instant coffee (if using), and vanilla in a large mixing cup.
Whisk to combine, then add to the dry ingredients and whisk just until the batter comes together. A few lumps are okay.
Fill cupcake liners about ⅔ full and bake for about 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
While the cupcakes are cooling, make desired frosting. Frost as desired.

Recipe Notes

The original recipe in this post included this cooked frosting.
Store unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days to keep them fresh. Once frosted, store at room temperature loosely covered.
You can also freeze unfrosted or frosted cupcakes.
The coffee granules are optional but help bring out the chocolate flavor, as does the hot water.
Do not use dutch process cocoa in this recipe.

Recipe Nutrition

Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Author Dorothy Kern

Did you try this recipe? Click the stars to rate the recipe below

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Last Updated on March 24, 2024

Dorothy Kern

Welcome to Crazy for Crust, where I share recipes that are sometimes crazy, often with a crust, and always served with a slice of life.

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166 Comments

Not to be a copycat or anything, but I think I would get your same cake plate!
Reply
1. Oh and I am so making that frosting!
  Reply
  Thanks Jenn!
  I don’t blame you – it’s amazing!
  Reply
  I just LOVE minted..I’d probably get the twine and paper straws first
  those cupcakes are calling me
  Reply
  I would definitely buy the straws! It’s almost summer time! Which means cute straws and drinks time (:
  Reply
  Seriously, if you say best cupcake ever … I believe it! And that cupcake stand is beyond gorgeous!!
  Reply
  Thanks Keri!
  Reply
  They look PERFECT!! I have been on the hunt for choc cupcake recipes and have almost used my choc cake recipe, which rather than water uses coffee to really bring out a bold chocolate taste. I cannot get over how soft, fluffy and fudgy they look! Pinned!
  And if I won, cake stand, all the way!! love it!
  Reply
  Thanks for the pin Averie!! 🙂 They are so amazing. I’m still eating the frosting with a spoon…
  Reply
  Well these certainly look like some of the best chocolate cupcakes I’ve ever seen! I make a similar recipe, but have never thought to fill them. Love that idea, especially since you added cinnamon to the cream filling. Genius!! Will keep this recipe in mind next time I need a chocolate cupcake fix. After all, only the best will do for my serious sweet tooth! 🙂
  Reply
  Thanks Elaine! I know, the cinnamon was a snap decision and OH SO GOOD!
  Reply
  can not wait to try this recipe
  Reply
  Thanks Lorrie!
  Reply
  I would love the business cards! Thanks, Dorothy!! Great cc’s as usual…I’m hungry now!! 🙂
  Reply
  Thanks Ellen!
  Reply
  These sound amazing! I love the filling- cinnamon and chocolate go amazing together. Online shopping is terrible for me, I almost went crazy the first time I bought stuff online!
  Reply
  I go crazy almost daily! 🙂
  Reply
  Thanks so much for the link love Dorothy! I am honored to be linked up here! P.S. I LOOOVE your chocolate cupcakes.
  Reply
  You’re welcome Julianne! Those cupcakes were SO amazing.
  Reply
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