PERFECT CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES! (2024)

This is IT! The chocolate cupcake recipe you’ll be making for the rest of your life. From birthdays and bake sales to holidays, special occasions, and romantic nights in, this is the recipe you’ll reach for. The cupcakes are soft, moist, and chocolatey ~ and the frosting? It will blow you away. When you want to share some love, bake these chocolate cupcakes 🙂

this versatile chocolate cake recipe is my go-to

Whenever I need a chocolate cake, I come back to this classic recipe from Ina Garten. It’s become my go-to because it’s easy to mix up (no stand mixer required) and the flavor and texture are unbeatable. Think completely moist, fine-textured cake with a rich chocolate flavor. It’s simply the best.

I get asked all the time about scaling this recipe up or down, and often about whether it can be made as cupcakes, so I figured it was about time I showed you! This cupcake recipe makes 12 cupcakes, but you can easily double it to make 24 (or more!)

the secret to silky chocolate cream cheese frosting

A great chocolate cupcake deserves a great chocolate frosting ~ here’s how I do mine

• Like a lot of my frostings lately, I make this one in the food processor (yes, you read that right) which makes blending the cream cheese and butter a dream and ensures a silky smooth texture with no lumps. The food processor doesn’t incorporate as much air into the frosting because you’re not whipping it, so you get a silkier rather than fluffier texture.
• The flavor is rich and chocolatey thanks to cocoa powder which actually provides astronger chocolate flavordue to the concentrated cocoa solids. This is ideal for frosting recipes where you want a robust chocolate taste.
• Cream cheese adds a pleasing tanginess, a soft spreadable texture, and a luxe mouthfeel. If you love cream cheese frosting (you might have had it on my Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting or my Classic Carrot Cake) I think you’ll really love this.
• That gloss! Sometimes a classic buttercream can be matte with a ‘crusty’ texture, but this frosting has a soft, glossy look that is so appealing and pretty whether you pipe it or swoop it onto your cakes and cupcakes.

chocolate cupcake faqs

• Can I make these chocolate cupcakes as a layer cake?
  • Yes, just see this original recipe post for making Ina’s chocolate cake as a layer cake.
• Can I double this recipe for 24 cupcakes?
  • Yes!
• Can I make these cupcakes ahead?
  • You can make the cupcakes a day ahead, but I recommend making the frosting the day you plan to serve them. Keep the cupcakes covered in an airtight container or wrapped loosely in plastic wrap at room temperature until you are ready to frost them.
• What kind of cocoa powder do you use?
  • You can use any kind of unsweetened cocoa powder you like, but I used a combination of regular cocoa powder and Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa powder for a rich color and flavor.
• I don’t have buttermilk, what can I use instead?
  • You can easily make your own buttermilk replacement by adding 1 tbsp of white vinegar to 1 cup of milk. Mix and let sit for 10 minutes before using. You may see a little curdling or separation but this is fine. You can also use milk or half and half.
• I don’t like cream cheese, can I leave it out of the frosting?
  • You can definitely make a classic buttercream to frost chocolate cupcakes, but you’ll need to add more butter to the recipe.

why we love these easy chocolate cupcakes

This recipe really is special enough just as it is but also makes the perfect canvas for any chocolate cupcake ideas you can come up with! Add festive sprinkles for a party, add your favorite flavoring like almond extract, peppermint extract, or orange zest to the frosting, the possibilities are endless!

Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

The perfect chocolate cupcakes with the perfect silky smooth cream cheese frosting!

Nutrition

Calories: 392 kcal · Carbohydrates: 57 g · Protein: 4 g · Fat: 18 g · Saturated Fat: 9 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g · Trans Fat: 0.3 g · Cholesterol: 49 mg · Sodium: 175 mg · Potassium: 159 mg · Fiber: 2 g · Sugar: 47 g · Vitamin A: 465 IU · Calcium: 50 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although The View from Great Island attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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