This chocolate cupcake recipe makes the best cupcakes ever – fluffy and topped with chocolate buttercream frosting! Make this easy cupcake recipe from scratch using ONE bowl!
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Guys, something really exciting happened this month and I’m sharing this chocolate cupcake recipe from scratch to celebrate!
This not-so-little-anymore blog of mine hit the ONE MILLION mark! That’s right, every month The Busy Baker gets over a million page views from readers like you, and I can hardly believe there are so many of you reading my posts and making my recipes!
So cheers to you, my dear readers, for visiting my blog and giving me the opportunity to develop more and more delicious recipes for you!
I can’t wait to see what the future holds for The Busy Baker! But in the meantime, let’s enjoy some cupcakes!!
These truly are the perfect chocolate cupcakes. This is my FAVOURITE chocolate cupcake recipe to make because you make it in ONE bowl, and in under 20 minutes.
Plus, the frosting is almost as easy to make. It’s a simple buttercream base with some cocoa powder and melted semi-sweet chocolate for extra structure. If you love chocolate, they’re the best cupcakes you’ll ever try.
Because this one-bowl recipe is so easy it’s perfect for beginning bakers too!
EASY NO FAIL MUFFIN RECIPES AND BAKING TIPS
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And of course, adding sprinkles is the perfect way to make birthday cupcakes party-worthy. I made these recently for a friend’s birthday and they were a BIG hit!
Looking for other easy cupcake recipes?
Try these Vanilla Bean Cupcakes or these Birthday Cake Cupcakes!
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I hope you love these chocolate cupcakes from scratch as much as we do!
Let me know in the comments below, what’s your favourite dessert to make for celebrations? I’d love to know!
EASY NO FAIL MUFFIN RECIPES AND BAKING TIPS
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KITCHEN TOOLS I RECOMMEND:
Looking for more delicious desserts? You’ll LOVE these!
- Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Mascarpone Buttercream
- Double Chocolate Cupcakes
- Black Forest Icebox Cake
- Chocolate Mocha Tiramisu Icebox Cake
- Strawberry Cheesecake Fruit Dip
- Easy No Bake Oreo Cheesecake
Watch the video below to see exactly how we make this recipe. You can find many more deliciously simple recipe videos on our YouTube channel!
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Are you trying this recipe? Use the comment form below to share your take; now with support for image uploads and comment voting!
Best Ever Chocolate Cupcake Recipe from Scratch
Recipe: Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder dutch processed is best
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup hot coffee or use boiling water
For the frosting:
- 1 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate melted and cooled
- 2-4 tablespoons milk if needed
- sprinkles for decorating (if desired)
Recipe: Instructions
For the cupcakes:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line cupcake tins with 24 paper liners.
- Add the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to a large mixing bowl and whisk together to combine.
- Measure the buttermilk and the vegetable oil into a glass liquid measuring cup. Add the eggs and vanilla and whisk everything together with a fork.
- Add the buttermilk and egg mixture into the dry ingredients and mix together just until no streaks of flour remain.
- Add the 2/3 cup of hot coffee into the batter slowly, whisking everything together.
- Once the batter comes together and the hot coffee is combined throughout, portion the batter into the 24 prepared cupcake liners until each are about 2/3 full.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 16-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into one of the cupcakes comes out clean.
For the frosting:
- While the cupcakes cool, mix the butter on high speed in a stand mixer or in a mixing bowl with a hand mixer until the butter is fluffy and creamy (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add the cooled melted chocolate and cream it together with the butter to get a smooth mixture.
- Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time and mix on medium high speed after each addition, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
- Add the cocoa powder in with the last addition of powdered sugar and mix until combined.
- Add the milk one tablespoon at a time, mixing well after each addition, until the frosting reaches piping consistency.
Assembly:
- Add the frosting to a piping bag fitted with an open star tip.
- Pipe the frosting onto each of the completely cooled cupcakes in a circular motion and top each cupcake with sprinkles.
Recipe: Notes
Recipe: Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
Hey what can I use instead of buttermilk… really want to try this recipe but can’t by it where I live
Made these for g’dtr’s 12th b’day party. OMG! BEST chocolate cupcakes we’ve ever tasted. They are light as air, moist & have a rich chocolate flavor. G’dtr opted for cream cheese frosting & wanted to frost them herself. They were gone in a flash & everyone loved them. Caution: Do NOT fill batter over 1/2 way or you will have overflow & the cupcake tops will connect. This recipe is our “go to” for chocolate cupcakes. YUM!
I’m so happy you and your family enjoyed our recipe! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
These are so light and fluffy! Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your feedback!
Wasn’t sure about the boiling water. Then a bit disappointed that they did not rise well, however, after frosting we decided to try before serving to guests. These have excellent flavor & very moist. AND my guests all commented how good they are. I’ll definitely make again, probably bake just a bit longer & preheat my oven a bit longer before popping them in.
Try using hot coffee instead of hot water for an even deeper chocolate flavour. Hmm…for not raising well having a very well preheated oven is a very good solution, also, make sure you don’t over mix and that you get the batter in the oven in a timely manner. Thank you for your feedback. We’re happy you and your guests enjoyed it!
Nice blog Your writing style is amazing. keep sharing.
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
thanks for sharing
Thanks for your feedback!
Thanks again for sharing a wonderful recipe!
Thanks for your feedback!
Thanks for all the great information!
Thanks for the feedback!
Thanks for sharing. I am going to start my blog and this is so inspirational as well as informative
Thanks for your feedback and good luck with your new blog! Send us an email when it’s up so we can check it out ☺️
Can I substitute unsweetened applesauce for the oil?
Yes, you can, but for best results we suggest that you stick to the recipe as written.
Literally the BEST chocolate cupcakes ever… I’ve never had a better chocolate cupcake than these… and I’ve had a lot in my day! No bakery will match the taste and deliciousness of these!!
Absolutely love them!! 💕
I also love how you can adjust how many you want to make by the x1/x2/x3 tab at the top. I ended up making 56 cupcake recipe and had lots of icing leftover.
One question though – how should I store them? Fridge or counter? How many days for fridge vs counter?
Thanks sooo much 🥰💕
We’re so happy you enjoyed them! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback! You can store them in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days or in the fridge for 4-5 days. However, refrigerating cupcakes makes them dry out faster.
Great recipe! Added protein powder and walnuts and made it a filling and delicious snack
We’re so happy you enjoyed them. Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback! Your additions sound so good we have to try them!
I love chocolate, but for some reason I usually don’t like chocolate cake. I made these for my youth group and I couldn’t believe how good it was, I had to sit down lol. . This is by far the best chocolate cupcake I’ve ever had in my 34 years. Thank you for this recipe!
We’re so happy you enjoyed them! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
These cupcakes are quite sweet. The consistency was fudgy and they baked flat which I like
I’m so happy you enjoyed them! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
Awesome recipe. Easy and super moist! If I wanted a more chocolatey flavor what could I do? Add more cocoa or melt some dark chocolate and add?
Thanks 🙂
I’m so happy you enjoyed them! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback! Yeah, both options would work.
Hi,
I was wondering if it matters whether I use Dutch Process Cocoa powder or regular unsweetened?
Thanks
I prefer Duch Processed, however you can use regular unsweetened as well. Happy cooking ☺️
These were amazing 🤩
I’m so happy you enjoyed them! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
Hi there! Just a little confused, beginner baker here :)! Do I actually boil the water in a pot and then put it into the cupcake batter??
Yes, you can boil water in a pot or a kettle and then add it in the batter while still hot.
Thank you…. very useful information.
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback! I love sharing my joy of cooking with you all.
One of the best chocolate cupcakes i’ve ever tested so far!!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed them! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!