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The Best Chocolate Cupcakes

Our chocolate-chocolate cupcake recipe has double the flavor with a moist chocolate cake recipe and a rich chocolate buttercream frosting. Learn how to make chocolate cupcakes with this easy to follow step-by-step guide.

Prep3 hr
Total Time1 hr
Skill LevelBeginner

Amount24 cupcakes

Ingredients & Tools
Instructions

Ingredients

Cupcakes
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup sour cream

Frosting
1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup cocoa powder
4 cups powdered sugar (confectioners' sugar)
1/4 cup milk

Tools
2 cupcake pans
Cupcake liners
White Cupcake Liners, 75-Count $2.52
Mixing bowls
Electric stand mixer or hand mixer
Cooling rack
Gold Non-Stick Cooling Rack, 16 x 10-Inch $8.57
Spatula
Decorating bag
Tip 1M
1M Open Star Piping Tip $1.90

Instructions

Click to mark complete

Make cupcakes. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare cupcake pans with cupcake liners.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
In a large bowl, beat sugar and oil with an electric mixer until combined.
Add eggs one at a time and mix well after each addition. Add vanilla and mix well.
Add flour mixture alternately with sour cream, mixing until just combined. Divide batter among prepared pans, filling each cavity about 1/2 full.
Bake for 16-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in pans for 5 minutes then remove to a cooling rack and cool completely before frosting.
Make buttercream. In a large bowl, beat shortening and butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Gradually add sugar and cocoa powder, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. Icing will appear dry.
Slowly add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.
Fill a decorating bag fitted with tip 1M with frosting then pipe a swirl on top of the cupcakes. Enjoy!

Notes

- Use a cookie scoop or decorating bag to more evenly fill the pan cavities for more uniform cupcakes.
- Customize your cupcakes! Swap out the chocolate buttercream for any of our delicious frosting recipes. Try the classic vanilla frosting, kick it up a notch with a rich mocha buttercream or try orange buttercream for a fresh twist.

How To

How to Make Cupcakes from Scratch
Easy to bake, transport and eat, cupcakes are the ideal treat for any celebration. Make 24 perfect cupcakes with better ingredients and proper measurements by following our tried and true cupcake baking tips.
Muffin and Cupcake Pans 101
A helpful guide on how to use muffin pans for cupcakes, muffins and other savory foods.