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Heavenly Homemade Chocolate Cupcakes, made with cocoa powder and strong hot coffee, are the most decadent and moist chocolate cupcake recipe you’ll ever enjoy!
If you love rich chocolate desserts, you may want to try my Mud Pie, Five Minute Microwave Fudge, or my Brown Butter Brownies.
Why this recipe works:
Think about all the wonderful things you’d want in a chocolate cupcake.
- Moist? Most certainly.
- Amazing taste? The combination of cocoa, strong coffee, and sugar create rich flavor.
- Rise and volume? Oh yes. These cupcakes get tall and fluffy. This has to do not only with the mixing directions but also the baking process.
Your quest for the best chocolate cupcake recipe can finally be over. You have found it. Never again will you need to search for a chocolate cupcake recipe, only to be sorely disappointed by the results.
I’ve made this cupcake recipe dozens of times and it always turns out perfect.
How to make these chocolate cupcakes with coffee:
- Combine the cocoa powder with the coffee (photo 1).
- The trick is to mix all of the dry ingredients and all of the wet ingredients in the cupcake recipe separately. Then, add just enough of the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients to have it form a thick batter (photo 2). This gets mixed really well on a high speed until light and fluffy.
- Finally, you will add the remaining liquid along with the chocolate coffee mixture to the batter (photo 3) and mix to combine. This is the mixing secret to not only this chocolate cupcake recipe, but for all of my homemade cakes and cupcakes. Mix the batter just until everything is fully combined (photo 4).
- Fill the cupcake liners in the muffin pan so that they each have the same amount (photo 5) and then bake (photo 6). One of my tricks for amazing homemade cupcakes to give them good rise is to start cooking them in a very hot oven for a few minutes and then to reduce the oven temperature until they are done.
Cooking tips:
- These cupcakes rise. A lot. If you’re looking for flat cupcakes, this isn’t the recipe for you.
- This recipe can be made into a 9-inch round Chocolate Cake, however it will rise making the center taller than the edges which isn’t always ideal for a cake recipe that you want to stack and frost.
- The cocoa powder I use is Volupta Organic & Fair Trade Unsweetened Super Food Cacao Powder (I buy it at costco). If you use dutch processed cocoa powder, you’re supposed to add 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda for every three Tablespoons of cocoa powder used because Dutch-processed cocoa powder is cocoa powder that has been washed in a potassium solution that neutralizes its acidity.
- Remember when baking to get the cupcakes in the oven as soon as possible. This will maximize the amount your chocolate cupcakes rise.
Frosting recommendations:
I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t share some other frosting ideas to go along with this chocolate cupcake recipe.
- Perfect Buttercream Frosting – great for decorating
- Cream Cheese Frosting – super easy to make
- Brown Butter Vanilla Bean Frosting – rich and delicious
- Mascarpone Frosting – my personal favorite because it’s so light and smooth
- Maple Cream Cheese Frosting – incredible flavor
- Blueberry Cream Cheese Frosting – made with freeze dried blueberries!
- Eggnog Frosting – fun during the holiday season
- Cookie Dough Frosting – what cravings are made of!
Can this recipe be used to make a cake?
I get asked this question all the time, and the answer is yes. My family loves these chocolate cupcakes so much that I often get asked to use this cupcake recipe but turn it into a cake. There are just a few things to consider when doing this:
- Scale your recipe appropriately. This recipe yields 12 cupcakes which equates to one 9-inch round cake layer. If you were wanting to make a two layer 9-inch cake, you would have to double this cupcake recipe.
- No need to change the recipe. You wouldn’t want to change the heavenly taste, would you?
- No need to change the oven temperature. You would follow the same procedure to make a cake as you would these homemade cupcakes which involves starting it in a very hot oven to give it lift, and then reducing the temperature. If you don’t want as much lift, do not start at the higher temperature. Just bake the cake at 325 F and the cooking time will need to be increased until a tester comes out clean.
- The baking time will change. These cupcakes, on average, take about 20 minutes to bake. Cakes, however, take much longer. You can plan on two 9-inch baking pans taking about 30-35 minutes to fully cook. Be sure to test the center with a toothpick and do not remove from the oven if the batter still appears to be wet.
Related recipes:
Love homemade cake recipes? You’ll definitely want to try these favorites.
- Pound Cake
- Flourless Chocolate Cake
- Angel Food Cake
- Homemade Hummingbird Cake
- Texas Sheet Cake
- Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Lemon Cupcakes
Did you make this recipe? Please leave me a comment below to let me know what you think!
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Pin ItHeavenly Homemade Chocolate Cupcakes
Heavenly Homemade Chocolate Cupcakes, made with cocoa and strong hot coffee, are the most decadent and moist chocolate cupcake recipe you’ll ever enjoy!
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup strong hot coffee or 1/2 cup boiling water + 1 pack starbucks via instant coffee
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425º F.
- Place cupcake liners in muffin tin. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Combine hot coffee and cocoa powder. Mix well to dissolve and set aside. By the time you mix this with the liquid ingredients, you'll have wanted it to cool to a lukewarm temperature so that it doesn't cook the eggs.
- In bowl of stand mixer, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt with paddle attachment.
- In a separate bowl, combine milk, oil, egg, and vanilla. Mix well to combine.
- Add about half of the milk mixture to the flour and mix on medium high speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Combine the chocolate mixture with the remaining milk mixture and add to the batter. Mix with batter on medium speed for about 30 seconds, scraping sides of bowl before turning mixer on.
- Distribute batter evenly to the 12 muffin cups. Batter will be very wet.
- Bake in preheated 425 degree F oven for 5 minutes, then reduce heat to 325 F without opening the oven door. Continue cooking at lower temperature for an additional 13-15 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and transfer cupcakes to a cooking rack as soon as they’re cool enough to be touched.
- Prepare buttercream frosting according to instructions or your other favorite frosting… or just devour it plain!
Notes
Recipe yields 1 dozen cupcakes and nutritional information is based on one unfrosted cupcake.
- These cupcakes rise. A lot. If you’re looking for flat cupcakes, this isn’t the recipe for you.
- This recipe can be made into a 9-inch round cake, however it will rise making the center taller than the edges which isn’t always ideal for a cake recipe that you want to stack and frost.
- The cocoa powder I use is Volupta Organic & Fair Trade Unsweetened Super Food Cacao Powder (I buy it at costco). If you use dutch processed cocoa powder, you’re supposed to add 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda for every three Tablespoons of cocoa powder used because Dutch-processed cocoa powder is cocoa powder that has been washed in a potassium solution that neutralizes its acidity.
Nutrition
Calories: 162kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 14mg, Sodium: 105mg, Potassium: 122mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 35IU, Calcium: 34mg, Iron: 1.1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave me a comment below
This recipe was originally created in December 2016 and has been updated to include more helpful information, cooking tips, and process photos. Don’t worry – I didn’t change the recipe!
For the people whose cupcakes rise up too much, try reduce the baking powder amt to 3/4 tsp instead of one. I used a little over half.
Also start your oven temp at 375 then reduce to 335 after 5 mins.
My first batch rised almost two inches pointy like kisses. My 2nd batch after I adjusted a little came out perfect shape for me to frost and the taste is soooooo flavorful.
I think ovens are different and also depends on how “fresh” you baking powder, baking soda etc are, so adjust as needed.
Best recipe.
I want to add that the batter is very thin – almost liqid – so for lazy bakers like myself – here is a good tip – mix your dry ingredients in a bowl. Your wet ingredients in a … blender ?. Blender the wet ingredients on LOW, and a third of dry ingredients, blend on low, another third, blend on low, finally aff the rest and blend on medium just until they’re mixed well. Pour to cupcake liners – done!!! No need to scoop, scrape…
Great suggestion!
Great pointers. Thanks for the comment, Nancy!
Hi what can I use to replace the egg?I’m vegetarian. Thanks
You mean you’re vegan? I suppose a vegan egg replacement, but I have no idea what that is. I’m not vegan or vegetarian, so I have no idea if a replacement would work. Sorry!
I made these today and doubled tbe recipe.i only filled cups about halfway because of so many reports of domes, and I like to pile on the frosting on a flat surface. I ended up with a total of 33 delicious cupcakes. and a couple of them were still domed although most were slightly raised or flat like I prefer. Also, I used hot water instead of coffee because I didn’t want my kids to have the caffeine, yet they were still plenty chocolaty. Then again, I topped them with chocolate buttercream frosting. Thanks for the recipe!
Chocolate has caffeine
Hi Krissy!
Hope you’re doing well!!
I’m a self-taught baker who just started trying out recipes and one of the first things I baked is your cupcake. It’s a fail proof recipe and by far the best cupcakes I’ve eaten. Ever since I’ve never bothered to even look for other recipes cause I’m just too pleased with this one and it’s been my go-to recipe and will continue to remain so. Thank you so much for sharing.
Great comment. Glad you liked them!!! I feel the same way.
My daughter (10) and I love this recipe! She decorated them as jack-o-lanterns for Halloween. This is a recipe we will use over and over again. So moist, delicious, and flavorful. And they held up well as we snacked on them over the next few days. Thank you!!!
I made this cake … I can’t say how it is moisty and fluffy and delicious … All must be try it ..all my FAM love it
hi…just made…came out very well…
can I double or triple the recipe..:)
Absolutely!
My very first batch came out of the oven 20 minutes ago. I just tried one before I frost them… just to make sure ya know… BEST CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE EVER! Thank you!
Thanks for coming back to let me know!!! -Krissy
Hello i want to try your recipe for the chocolate cupcakes, but i want to fill them with chocolate and strawberries. Can i do that with this recipe, the one i have calls for a box mix which i dont want to use, and can i add a pudding mix to it without ruining it?? Thank you very much.
They are very moist cupcakes, so you just have to be sure whatever you fill them with isn’t too wet. Let me know how they turn out! -Krissy
I’ve used this cupcake recipe three times. The first was for my son’s birthday celebration at school, the second – because he loved them so much, was for his party at home, but in the form of a cake, and the third was another double batch for my husband’s promotion ceremony night before last. I always marvel at how the recipe never fails to disappoint! I don’t get the same top as you do, but I love how high they rise – it just means more cupcake to eat! They are wonderful every time :o) You’re right, my search for the perfect chocolate cupcake (and cake!) is over. Thank you so much! ….any chance you have an equally delectable yellow cake recipe?? :oD
What a great comment, Thea. Thank you! I don’t have a yellow cake recipe (yet). Glad you enjoyed!!! -Krissy