• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Damn, Spicy!
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Tips
  • Gift Guides
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Tips
  • Gift Guides
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Tips
    • Gift Guides
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Cupcakes / Chocolate Cupcakes

    Chocolate Cupcakes

    Published: Jan 23, 2022 · Last Update: Jan 23, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These Chocolate Cupcakes are incredibly moist and decadent, frosted with a silky smooth chocolate buttercream and topped with fresh raspberries! Wow your special person with these fun and flirty cupcakes, they’re ready in just 30 minutes and don’t require any special skill!


    chocolate cupcakes


    Chocolate Cupcakes

    Today I’m sharing with you my master Chocolate Cupcake recipe, the one that I’ve been using for years to make cupcakes for friends and family. It’s no-fail.

    You’ll love how moist and chocolatey these cupcakes are, it almost feels like eating a delicious fudgy brownie instead of a cupcake. They’re just so so good.

    They’re frosted with my classic chocolate buttercream which is silky smooth, creamy, and rich and topped with fresh raspberries for some fun.

    These are perfect for chocolate lovers, as a romantic date night dessert, or as Valentine’s Day cupcakes along with a glass of rose! Just ⏤ YES!

    Although they might look fancy, they’re actually very easy to make ⏤ no skills needed, not even for piping the buttercream, I promise. I kept it real simple with a classic large round tip (here‘s the one I used) so all you have to do is apply some pressure to the piping bag and boom, you’re done! ✨

    Let’s make a batch!


    chocolate cupcakes


    Ingredients for Chocolate Cupcakes

    Check the recipe card down below for the full list of ingredients + instructions!

    • Instant coffee. You won’t be able to taste the coffee *at all* so these cupcakes are kid-approved and picky-eaters approved. I don’t even drink coffee and I can gobble down half a batch of these! The coffee is there to heighten the natural flavor of chocolate. Many extra moist and decadent chocolate cakes, loaves, or cupcakes out there use coffee as a base because it’s that one secret ingredient that truly takes your chocolate dessert to the next level. This is a little professional baker tip that you can easily follow at home! That being said, make sure you use a high-quality brand for best flavor. Alternatively you can use freshly brewed coffee, just make sure it cools down a bit before adding it to the batter. 🙂
    • Water. You’ll need the water in order to dissolve your instant coffee. Skip this if you’re using brewed coffee.
    • Cocoa powder. Use unsweetened cocoa powder for this recipe. We’ll use plenty of sugar + the cupcakes are topped with buttercream which is naturally sweet so don’t worry! Make sure to sift the cocoa powder to keep it from clumping up when added to the wet ingredients. Also, make sure you have plenty as you’ll also need it for the frosting!
    • Flour. Stick to all-purpose flour for this recipe!
    • Sugar. You’ll need white granulated sugar!
    • Baking powder. Some good old baking powder so your cupcakes can rise tall!
    • Salt. Just a pinch!
    • Milk. Make sure it’s room temperature. I recommend whole milk for this recipe.
    • Oil. I recommend sunflower, vegetable or canola oil.
    • Eggs. Make sure they’re room temperature.
    • Vanilla extract. For extra flavor!
    • Butter. You’ll need this for the buttercream frosting.
    • Powdered sugar. Same as above, you’ll need this for the chocolate frosting.
    • Raspberries for topping. You can also carve your baked cupcakes and stuff them with fresh raspberries for a fun surprise! I don’t recommend adding them to the batter as adding fruit means adding extra moisture and these cupcakes don’t need any extra moisture! You can also top these with strawberries, tangerines, cherries, or just plain sprinkles if you’re not a fan of raspberries.

    best chocolate buttercream frosting recipe


    How do you make chocolate raspberry cupcakes

    Check the recipe card down below for the step-by-step instructions!

    1. Preheat the oven and line a 12-cupcake baking sheet with cupcake liners. Any color will work but I like using black ones for a fancier look!
    2. Prepare the coffee and chocolate mixture. Please refer to the above paragraph to learn why we’re using coffee (you can’t taste it, promise!). Dissolve the instant coffee in water and mix until fully dissolved. Alternatively, brew some coffee and allow it to cool down to room temperature so it won’t scramble the eggs in the batter. Add the sifted cocoa powder to the coffee and mix until fully combined and smooth. The mixture will be quite thick. Set it aside.
    3. Whisk together the dry ingredients and set them aside.
    4. Mix together the wet ingredients until fully combined, then transfer half of the wet ingredients into your dry ingredients and mix until light and fluffy. Then add the chocolate mixture into the remaining wet ingredient mixture, mix until combined, and pour into the batter. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix!
    5. Bake. Fill each cupcake liner until 2/3 full. The batter will be very wet. Pop into the oven and bake at 425F for 10 minutes then at 325 for another 13-15 minutes. I like mine at 13 minutes but depending on your oven, they may take a little less or more time. You can do a toothpick test if you’re not sure: simply poke the center of one of the cupcakes with a toothpick, if it comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs, they’re done. Take them out, remove them from the baking sheet and allow them to cool down completely before frosting.
    6. Make the buttercream frosting. You can frost these with any frosting of your choice or enjoy them plain. I went with my classic chocolate buttercream frosting which is rich and chocolatey and ready in just 5 minutes. Simply beat the butter until soft, then add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt and beat again.
    7. Frost. Transfer the buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip (here‘s the one I used) and gently squeeze the piping bag while keeping the tip close to the cupcake (no need to move around or anything). Keep piping until a dome starts forming, then stop squeezing and lift the piping bag completely. You’re done!
    8. Decorate. Top each cupcake with a fresh raspberry and dust with powdered sugar, if desired.

    chocolate cupcakes


    Can I use a different fruit?

    Yes! These are your cupcakes so feel free to choose your favorite berry or fruit. You can also use a different flavor of buttercream and even fill them with Nutella, chocolate ganache, or raspberry jam!

    My favorite options for fruit would be strawberries, cherries, blackberries, tangerines, or a fresh slice of pear.


    Can I make these ahead of time?

    Yes! I recommend making the cupcakes on day 1 and frosting them on day 2 which is what I did with the cupcakes that you see in the pictures. As you can tell, the cupcakes are still perfectly moist and delicious!

    You can make them up to 2-3 days ahead of time and store them covered or in an air-tight container at room temperature. I don’t recommend chilling them as they will slightly dry up in the refrigerator.


    Can I freeze them?

    Yes, you can freeze your unfrosted cupcakes for up to 1-2 months and let them come down to room temperature the day you plan on frosting and serving them.


    chocolate cupcakes


    HAPPY BAKING!! I hope you’ll love these easy moist chocolate cupcakes with raspberries as I do!

    PS: Please leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating ⭐️ if you make it! Your comments make my day!! You can also tag me on Instagram @itsdamnspicy 🌈💘

    More chocolate recipes you’ll love:

    • Chocolate Cherry Brownies
    • 5 Ingredient Chocolate Lava Cakes for Two
    • Russian Chocolate Cake Truffles (Shokoladnaya Kartoshka)
    • Russian Chocolate Salami
    raspberry chocolate cupcakes 1

    Chocolate Cupcakes

    Damn, Spicy! @ www.damnspicy.com
    These Chocolate Cupcakes are incredibly moist and decadent, frosted with a silky smooth chocolate buttercream and topped with fresh raspberries! Wow your special person with these fun and flirty cupcakes, they're ready in just 30 minutes and don't require any special skill!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 13 mins
    Total Time 28 mins
    Course Cupcakes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 cupcakes

    Ingredients
      

    For The Cupcakes

    • 1/2 cup (125 ml) water room temperature
    • 1 and 1/2 tbsp high-quality instant coffee
    • 1/2 cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
    • 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup (200 g) white granulated sugar
    • 1 tsp baking powder
    • 1/4 tsp salt
    • 1/2 cup (125 ml) whole milk room temperature
    • 1/4 cup (50 ml) sunflower oil or vegetable or canola oil
    • 1 egg room temperature
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract

    For The Chocolate Buttercream

    • 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter room temperature
    • 2 and 2/3 cups (345 g) powdered sugar
    • 1/2 cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 1 tbsp  (15 ml) whole milk or up to 2 tbsp if needed
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1/4 tsp salt
    • 12 fresh raspberries

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 425F (218C) and line a 12-cupcake baking sheet with cupcake liners. Set aside.
    • Prepare the coffee and chocolate mixture. Dissolve the instant coffee in room temperature water and mix until fully dissolved. Add the sifted cocoa powder to the coffee and mix until fully combined and smooth. The mixture will be quite thick. Set it aside.
    • Combine together the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
    • Combine together the wet ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined, then pour half of the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix on medium-high speed until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Then pour the chocolate mixture into the remaining wet ingredients, mix until combined, and pour into the batter. Mix on medium for 30 seconds, until just combined. Do not overmix!
    • Bake. Fill each cupcake liner until 3/4 full. Pop into the oven and bake at 425F (218C) for 10 minutes then at 325F (165C) for another 13-15 minutes. You can do a toothpick test to test for doneness: simply poke the center of one of the cupcakes with a toothpick, if it comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs, they're done. Take them out, remove them from the baking sheet and allow them to cool down completely before frosting.
    • Make the buttercream frosting. Add the room temperature butter to a medium bowl, beat on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes, until soft, fluffy and pale in color. Add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt and beat for 30 seconds on medium, then increase the speed to high and beat for another minute. The frosting should be creamy, fluffy, and completely smooth.
    • Frost. Transfer your prepared buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip and gently squeeze the piping bag while keeping the tip close to the cupcake (no need to move around). Keep piping until a dome starts forming, then stop squeezing and lift the piping bag completely.
    • Decorate. Top each cupcake with a fresh raspberry and dust with powdered sugar, if desired. Serve.

    Notes

    Make-Ahead Instructions: I recommend making the cupcakes on day 1 and frosting them on day 2. You can make them up to 2-3 days ahead of time and store them covered or in an air-tight container at room temperature. I don't recommend chilling them as they will slightly dry up in the refrigerator.
    Freezing Instructions: you can freeze your unfrosted cupcakes for up to 1-2 months and let them come down to room temperature the day you plan on frosting and serving them.

    📷 DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?!
    Tag @itsdamnspicy on Instagram and hashtag it #itsdamnspicy
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « The Best Raspberry Buttercream
    Gluten Free Valentine Cookies »

    Pop up

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Damn, Spicy! I share tried-and-true recipes from my trips around the world!

    You can expect new recipes weekly with a mix of sweet & savory!
    Read more »

    Contacts ⭐︎ New Here?

    GET A FREE ECOOKBOOK

    when you subscribe to my spicy newsletter!

    Footer

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Comment Policy

    Read

    • Recipes

    Contact

    • Home
    • Contacts
    • New To Damn Spicy?

    This blog contains affiliate links, please read Disclaimer for more information.

    Copyright © 2023 DAMN SPICY

     

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT