Moist Chocolate Cupcakes (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Chloe · Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe

These moist chocolate cupcakes with chocolate buttercream are heaven on earth. They are rich, indulgent and absolutely irresistible. One bite and you'll be hooked. The best part? They are incredible easy and quick to make.

These cupcakes are the perfect addition to any party, or a great treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea. They are easy to make and can be decorated according to the occasion. So go ahead, treat yourself, and your taste buds will thank you.

Moist Chocolate Cupcakes (1)

Ingredients in Moist Chocolate Cupcakes

  • Plain flour / all-purpose flour
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder: I use Hershey's (US) or Nestle (AUS/UK) brand. Do NOT use hot cocoa powder or raw 'cacao powder.'
  • Baking powder: NOT baking soda. Make sure it is in-date to ensure you get fluffy cupcakes!
  • Caster sugar / superfine sugar: this finer form of sugar dissolves more easily into the batter and gives you a fluffier cupcake.
  • Salt: brings out the chocolate flavour in the cupcake.
  • Buttermilk: or make your own by combing ½ cup milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice.
  • Canola oil: or any other flavourless vegetable oil.
  • Eggs
  • Boiling coffee or water: coffee enhances the chocolate flavour - you won't be able to taste it in the cupcakes.

How to make Moist Chocolate Cupcakes

  1. Sift and whisk together the dry ingredients.
  2. Make faux buttermilk by combining the milk and vinegar.
  3. Whisk in the canola oil and eggs.
  4. Add the oil mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk until well mixed.
  5. Add boiling coffee and whisk until batter is combined. It will be fairly thin.
  6. Bake and cool then top with buttercream!
Moist Chocolate Cupcakes (2)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?

Yes, substitute wheat flour for an equal amount of gluten-free flour.

Can I use white sugar instead of caster / superfine sugar?

Yes, although it may make the cupcakes slightly denser and cakier.

Why are my cupcakes not rising?

Check that your baking powder is in-date. Also make sure that your oven is at the correct temperature. If your oven is older or temperamental, you may need to use an oven thermometer to ensure it's accurate.

It may also be that you are opening the oven during cooking too often or too early. This will cause the cupcakes to collapse and not allow them to rise.

Can I use this recipe to make a chocolate cake?

No, it is better to use my One Bowl Moist Chocolate Cake recipe for a single-layer cake or my Devil's Food Cake recipe for a two-layer cake.

Storage

You can store the frosted cupcakes unrefrigerated for up to 3 days (they will stay moist).

Moist Chocolate Cupcakes (3)

Variations

If you want to try something different, you can top your cupcakes with any of the following:

  • Chocolate ganache: This is a rich and decadent topping that is made with chocolate and cream. It can be used as a frosting or a glaze.
  • Cream cheese frosting: This is a tangy and creamy frosting that is made with cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
  • Vanilla buttercream frosting: for something simple and delicious, try vanilla buttercream.
  • Whipped cream frosting: This is a light and fluffy frosting that is made with heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. It can be flavoured with different extracts or cocoa powder.
  • Chocolate chips: You can also top your chocolate cupcakes with chocolate chips, it adds a nice crunchy texture
  • Chocolate shavings: You can also top your chocolate cupcakes with chocolate shavings, it adds a nice visual touch
  • Fresh fruits: You can also top your chocolate cupcakes with fresh fruits like berries or cherries, it adds a nice sweetness and freshness

Moist Chocolate Cupcakes (4)

Have you made this recipe?

If you have made this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Leave a review below or share your photo on Instagram and tag me @bakingenvy

Take me to Instagram →

Moist Chocolate Cupcakes (5)

Moist Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Yield: 12 Cupcakes with Frosting

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

These chocolate cupcakes are ultra-moist and incredibly easy to make! No electric mixer and minimal clean-up. Try my rich chocolate buttercream frosting for the ultimate double chocolate hit.

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cupcakes

  • 1 cup (150 g) plain flour / all purpose flour
  • ½ cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon (16 g) baking powder
  • 1 cup (240 g) caster sugar / superfine sugar
  • ½ teaspoon (3 g) salt
  • ½ cup (125 mL) buttermilk (see notes for alternative)
  • ½ cup (125 mL) canola oil (or any vegetable oil)
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup (63 mL) boiling coffee OR boiling water

For the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting (large quantity, see notes)

  • 250 g (9 oz / 1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (280 g) icing sugar / powdered sugar, sifted
  • ½ cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
  • ¼ cup (63 mL) milk

Instructions

For the Chocolate Cupcakes

  1. Preheat the oven to 160°C / 320°F (fan-forced/convection) or 180°C / 355°F (standard). Line a 12-hole standard muffin tin with paper cases.
  2. Sift flour, cocoa powder and baking powder into a large mixing bowl. Whisk in caster sugar and salt until well combined.
  3. In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together milk and vinegar. Stand for 5-10 minutes or until thick and curdled. Whisk in canola oil and eggs until well combined.
  4. Pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk together until well combined. Whisk in hot coffee/water. The batter will thin out.
  5. Distribute the batter evenly among the paper cases. Do not fill more than half-full. Overfilling the cases will cause the batter to spill over when baking. Depending on how you measured your ingredients, you may have enough batter for an extra 1-2 cupcakes.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of one of the cupcakes comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

  1. In the large bowl of an electric mixer (or using a hand mixer), cream together the butter and sugar on high speed until pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the cocoa powder and milk. Beat on a very low speed for 1 minute, then increase speed to high and beat for another 2 minutes until pale, fluffy and well combined.
  2. For swirls: ensure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting. Fit a piping tip with a star-tip nozzle. Fill the piping bag ¾ full with frosting and twist the top to secure. Pipe a small mound of icing in the centre of a cupcake. In one fluid motion, pipe a ring around the mound then continue to pipe in a circular motion towards the centre of the cupcake to create a hi-top swirl.

Notes

Measurement

  • Please note that my recipes are measured in metric cups and spoons which are larger than US cups and spoons. Most recipes will be fine if measured in US cups and spoons, but please use the weight (grams) measurement for the most accurate result.

Storage

  • You can store the frosted cupcakes unrefrigerated for up to 3 days (they will stay moist).

Substitutions & Tips

  • Buttermilk substitute: combine ½ cup milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice and allow to stand for 10 minutes.
  • Half quantity of chocolate buttercream frosting: the frosting recipe makes enough for large swirls on each cupcake. If you just want to spread a bit of frosting on the top of each cupcake instead of swirls, halve the frosting recipe as follows: Beat together 125 g (4.5 oz / ½ cup) of softened butter with 1 cup of sifted icing sugar until fluffy. Add ¼ cup of sifted unsweetened cocoa powder and 2 tablespoon of whole dairy milk. Beat until pale and fluffy.
  • Coffee: coffee helps bring out the chocolate flavour in the cupcakes. You won't be able to taste the coffee flavour. I use combine ½ teaspoon of instant coffee granules with ¼ cup of boiling water. You can also brew strong coffee in a French press and use that.
  • Measuring the cupcake batter: I use a ¼ cup measurement to scoop the batter. This will fill a standard paper case half full (take care as sizes differ).
Nutrition Information:

Serving Size: 1 Cupcake with Frosting
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 454Total Fat: 28.4gSaturated Fat: 12.2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5.9gCholesterol: 75.6mgSodium: 331.6mgCarbohydrates: 51.4gFiber: 2.9gSugar: 38.8gProtein: 4.2g

You May Also Like

  • One Bowl Moist Chocolate Cake
  • Bakery Style Double Chocolate Chip Muffins
  • Flourless Chocolate Cake
  • The Ultimate Chocolate Mud Cake

More Cakes & Cupcakes

  • Lemon Blueberry Cake
  • Red Velvet Cupcakes
  • Easy Vanilla Layer Cake
  • Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Moist Chocolate Cupcakes (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to moist cupcakes? ›

"Baking fluffy, moist cupcakes is all about creating air bubbles in your batter that expand in the oven," she says. "If you overmix your batter, you collapse those bubbles and end up with a brick-like cake." Always mix at a low speed to avoid this, stopping just as all ingredients blend.

How to fix cupcakes that are too moist? ›

You can also sprinkle some baking soda on a paper towel on the bottom of your container and then place your goods on top (just don't do that to bare bottomed muffins so they don't get baking soda on their bottoms, try to put them on a plate first. Lined cupcakes should be ok.) Baking soda naturally absorbs moisture.

Why are my chocolate cupcakes dry? ›

Baking your cupcakes too long is a sure way to make them dry. And while you are checking the baking time, also check the oven temperature, if the temperature is too high, it's going to make it easier for the cupcakes to over bake as well. Not measuring the ingredients accurately will also make for dry cupcakes.

Do you cut top off cupcakes before icing? ›

Seriously, don't. The crust of the cupcake is a sealed edge. If you cut them off, you will have a difficult time icing the cupcakes and it will make a big mess of cake crumbs in your icing.

What makes baking more moist? ›

One common ingredient swap that is known to help make cakes remarkably moist is using milk instead of water. Try switching out any water in your recipe for full-fat milk or buttermilk for a moist, decadent texture. Another ingredient that can enhance the moisture of your cake is mayonnaise.

What is the secret to good cupcakes? ›

Top Tips for Baking Better Cupcakes
  • Read the Recipe. Read the recipe all the way through first. ...
  • Check Oven Temperature. ...
  • Check the Dates. ...
  • Substitute with Caution. ...
  • Use the Right Temperature. ...
  • Take Time to Sift. ...
  • Measure with Care. ...
  • Cream the Ingredients.

Why are my cupcakes dry and hard? ›

If your oven temperature is too hot, the outer layer of batter will bake and harden too quickly. The centre of the cupcake will still be liquid batter that needs to expand and go somewhere!

How long do cupcakes stay moist? ›

Cupcakes can last between 2-5 days, but by using suitable cupcake boxes they should keep their freshness for up to a week. Plain cupcakes without any icing or frosting can keep for up to a week on your kitchen counter, but iced cupcakes, or those with a sweet filling, will only last 2-4 days.

What does adding water to cupcakes do? ›

The water will turn into steam when it hits the heat of the oven and the evaporation will surround the baking cupcakes, making them moist, tender, and fluffy. Another tip: This little trick will have the same effect on baking better muffins too.

Does refrigerating cupcakes dry them out? ›

The cooling mechanism of the fridge removes all moisture or water vapour from a cupcake, leading to dried-out cupcakes.

What makes a cake moist and fluffy? ›

Add Vegetable Oil. While butter will give you the best flavor, vegetable oil will make your cakes moister. I use a combination of salted butter and vegetable oil in all my cake recipes to get the most flavorful and moistest results. Vegetable oil stays a liquid at room temperature, while butter solidifies.

How do you moisten a dry chocolate cake after baking? ›

Soak your cake in milk or cream.

Simply brush on a few tablespoons of milk or cream to the top of your dry cake or, for a truly indulgent finish, follow recipes like one-bowl tres leches poke cake, baked and soaked in a combination of whole milk, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk.

Do you fill cupcake liners to the top? ›

The best way to fill them is 2/3 – 3/4 of the way full depending on your recipe. The best way is to play around with it a little bit to see what works best. Once you have it nailed down you should be good to go! Look at the picture below for a reference of what it looks like in the cupcake pan.

Do you refrigerate cupcakes after frosting? ›

The easiest way to store decorated cupcakes is simply to put them in an airtight container. There are specialized carriers and storage containers that make it even easier to preserve cupcakes, but any ol' Tupperware will do. Frosted cupcakes will stay fresh in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days at room temperature.

How do bakeries get their cakes so moist? ›

Jump to:
  1. Use Buttermilk Instead of Milk.
  2. Add Vegetable Oil.
  3. Use Instant Clearjel or Instant Pudding Mix.
  4. Use the Right Recipe.
  5. Don't Overbake.
  6. Bake in Sheet Pans Instead of individual Cake Pans.
  7. Use a Simple Syrup or Glaze.
Apr 23, 2021

Are cupcakes better with milk or water? ›

Most box cake recipes will tell you to add water to the mix. Instead, try adding milk using the same proportions. This will make the cake richer and creamier because it ups the fat content. You can even use buttermilk here for a pleasant tang.

Should I use milk instead of water for cupcakes? ›

Yes, you may make cakes with milk instead of water. Because fat provides richness and solidity to the cake, milk can increase the cake's moisture content and flavor. 1) Use the same quantity of milk as water called for in the recipe.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nathanael Baumbach

Last Updated:

Views: 5568

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanael Baumbach

Birthday: 1998-12-02

Address: Apt. 829 751 Glover View, West Orlando, IN 22436

Phone: +901025288581

Job: Internal IT Coordinator

Hobby: Gunsmithing, Motor sports, Flying, Skiing, Hooping, Lego building, Ice skating

Introduction: My name is Nathanael Baumbach, I am a fantastic, nice, victorious, brave, healthy, cute, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.