Death by Chocolate Cupcakes
Death By Chocolate Cupcakes is a chocolate lover’s dream. A homemade chocolate cupcake that is moist and rich in flavor topped with dark cocoa inspired frosting and drizzled with chocolate.
A good friend of mine insists chocolate is the best dessert EVER. She will never turn away anything chocolate. Though I enjoy chocolate, it’s usually not my first choice when I’m choosing a dessert. I’m more of a caramel gal. However, I know there many, many people out there crazy for chocolate so this recipe is for YOU!
I call these guys Death by Chocolate Cupcakes. They have chocolate added in every step of the recipe. The dry ingredients have cocoa. The wet ingredients use melted chocolate chips. The frosting is made with dark cocoa. Then as an added bonus, chocolate sauce is drizzled over the top. It is VERY chocolatey as my hubby says!
These cupcakes are sweet and rich. One cupcake will likely satisfy your chocolate craving because it has so much of it packed in one small package.
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I recently started frosting my cupcakes using Wilton tips. It’s made a huge difference in presentation! However, you don’t have to use one. The recipe will still work even if you frost with a butter knife! If you’re curious, this is the set I have. And this is how I used to frost cupcakes. Yikes. Not the nicest looking for pictures, right?
Ingredients
For the cupcakes, you’ll need these ingredients.
- Butter
- Sugar
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Eggs
- Egg yolks
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
- Sour cream
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Baking powder
- Cocoa powder
For the frosting, you’ll need these ingredients.
- Dark cocoa powder
- Butter
- Half and half
- Vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar
- Chocolate sauce
How Can I Make My Chocolate Cupcake More Moist
Oil! This is the key to getting a super moist cupcake. I added butter for added flavor but also oil for that super light and moist texture you want in a cupcake. A bakery cupcake doesn’t have stand a chance next to this recipe.
If you don’t have vegetable oil you could easily swap with canola oil as well, as it won’t change much flavor.
Why Are My Cupcakes Dry
The biggest key to making any baked good is measuring properly. If you add too much dry ingredients from improper measuring it could lead to a dry cupcake. Also, make sure that you don’t overcook your cupcakes or they will turn dry.
Tips for Making the Perfect Cupcake
- Take time to preheat your oven so when you put your cupcakes in they bake in a hot oven
- Measure your ingredients properly
- Don’t overmix your cupcakes
- Watch the cupcakes as they bake, so you don’t overcook them
- Allow cupcakes to fully cool before you frost, or your frosting will melt
Can I Make Mini Cupcakes with this Chocolate Cupcake Recipe
Absolutely! Just bake your cupcakes for less time. Then frost as you would and enjoy. These are great as regular cupcakes, jumbo or minis.
Can I Make These Death By Chocolate Cupcakes Ahead of Time
You can bake these cupcakes ahead of time if you would like. Due to the delicate frosting, you will want to store the cupcakes in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve these cupcakes. Just place in an airtight container and then remove and serve. If you want them to be served at room temperature let them warm up on the counter for 30 minutes before serving.
Do Chocolate Lovers Cupcakes Freeze Well
They sure do. You can easily freeze these cupcakes as the cupcakes alone or add in the frosting if you want as well. Place in a container that is freezer friendly.
Do You Need Eggs for Cupcakes
I use whole eggs and egg yolks in this recipe. I find that it offers incredible texture and creates a stunning textured cupcake. If you can’t have eggs you could use an egg replacement and this should work just fine.
Ways to Decorate Your Chocolate Cupcakes
- Add a drizzle of chocolate syrup
- Top with chocolate sprinkles
- Shave pieces of chocolate and sprinkle over the top
- Use mini chocolate chips to top your cupcakes
You can find so many ways to dress up these chocolate cupcakes. Go simple or extravagant, the choice is yours!
Craving more chocolate recipes
- No-Fail Chocolate Fudge | This is my tried and true chocolate fudge that turns out perfect every single time. I share my classic fudge recipe that is so simple to whip up.
- Chocolate Surprise Bars | These bars are such a dense and decadent dessert. If you want a dessert to knock your socks off, I highly suggest this recipe.
- No-Churn Chocolate Cake Ice Cream | Who said homemade ice cream has to be hard. These are a must make ice cream that has bits of chocolate cake throughout.
Birthdays, holidays, after school treat, and so many more options are the perfect reason to make these desserts.
You’ll also like these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes, Snickerdoodle Cupcakes, Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes, Hot Fudge Pudding Cake and Oreo Cupcakes.
What is your favourite flavour of cupcake?
Death by Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 large eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup cocoa powder
Frosting
- ¼ cup dark cocoa
- 2 cups unsalted butter softened
- ¼ cup half and half
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- chocolate sauce for drizzle, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Add cupcake liners to a muffin pan and set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together flour, salt, baking powder and cocoa powder.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed.
- Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave for about 40 seconds. Stir. Put back in for 20 second increments stirring in between until melted. Pour chocolate into butter/sugar mixture and mix on medium speed.
- Add in eggs and egg yolks one at a time while continuing to mix.
- Add in oil, vanilla and sour cream and continue to mix on medium.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir to combine.
- Fill each cupcake liner about ¾ full.
- Bake 23 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out of the center of a cupcake clean. Cool in pan for 15 minutes before removing to a baking rack. Cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting, add butter to a mixing bowl and beat until smooth. Add in half and half and vanilla extract and continue to beat with an electric mixer on medium.
- Add in icing sugar and dark cocoa and beat until well blended.
- Frost cupcakes and drizzle chocolate sauce over top, if desired.
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Did you make this recipe?
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The ingredients list calls for baking powder, however the instructions call for baking soda. Which do I use?
Hi Eva, My apologies! That as a typo. It should be baking powder. I’ve updated the recipe card. Thanks for letting me know!
I have already saved this recipe for ‘Death by Chocolate Cupcakes’, so I am showing my bias for these decadent treats already. Thank you for this recipe and, when I summon up my courage, I will make them.
I made these today. They taste great. Can you tell me why, though, they would sink in the middle? Thank you.
That can happen if you over mix the batter.
Anybody know if you can substitute mayonnaise for the sour cream? I HATE sour cream but these look sooo good!
These look and sound good. Thanks for sharing on the Small Victories Link Up
Hi Stacie,
I just stumbled across your blog and found these amazing looking cupcakes! I’m also from Ontario, Canada – small world! 🙂 I’d love if you’d share this recipe (or any of your favourites) at our link party, Create • Share • Inspire, every Thursday at 8:00 PM to Sunday at 8:00 PM.
Alicia xo
Oh, boy, do those look good. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
I think I would die a very happy woman… these look AMAZING! Thanks for sharing them at Happiness is Homemade. So glad I found them and can’t wait to try them!
Your Cupcakes look amazing, we will love them. Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen
Oh my chocolate-y goodness!! These look absolutely amazing! And simply to die for 😉 (see what I did there?)
love this!!!Thank you for sharing at the Thursdays Favorite Things blog hop. Watch for your feature tomorrow xo
These look absolutely amazing! Pinning to try straight away xx
Is there any better way to die than death by chocolate? If I’ve got to go, I want it to be that way…LOL! These look awesome and I’m definitely pinning to make later!
Visiting from Best Of The Weekend