By Becky Hardin
Published Dec 8, 2021
These are by far the best chocolate cupcakes with fudge frosting you’ve ever tasted! Moist cake iced with the most decadent and smooth chocolate fudge frosting, means you’re in for a real treat!
Best Chocolate Cupcakes
Made from scratch, these easy chocolate cupcakes are so moist, fluffy, and delicious! You don’t have to be a baker to make cupcakes that taste like you got them from a bakery. The fudge frosting is rich, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. You’ll want to eat it by the spoonfuls, but try and save it for the cupcakes!
These will be the best chocolate cupcakes you’ve ever tasted. You can share them with friends and family or keep them all for yourself!
Why You’ll Love this Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe:
- Deliciously Decadent: Not only are these cupcakes rich and delicious, but they are a decadent treat for any occasion.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and simple instructions, this recipe is just as easy to make as a box of cake mix.
- Versatile : Because these are simple chocolate cupcakes, you can add sprinkles to make them Christmasey, bedazzle them for a birthday party, share them at an office party, or enjoy them as an afternoon snack.
My chocolate cupcakes with fudge frosting are just as easy as picking up a box of cake mix, but they are so much better!
How to Make Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes
You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!
- Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- Beat the butter and brown sugar in a separate bowl until incorporated.
- Add eggs 1 at a time to your butter and sugar mixture.
- Next, add your vanilla and melted chocolate, mixing on low speed.
- Add the sour cream and dry ingredients, alternately, in 3 additions; starting and ending with the flour.
- Then, stir in the hot water and beat just until well-mixed.
- Finally, pour your cake batter into the prepared muffin tins.
- Bake each cupcake tin separately for 10 minutes.
- Rotate the pan and bake for another 5-10 minutes.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely. Bake the next batch.
- Frost each cupcake with chocolate fudge frosting and garnish with your favorite sprinkles.
Many recipes use cocoa powder to make their cupcakes, but I use melted chocolate instead. I think it makes the cupcakes more moist and chocolatey. I use Ghirardelli Melting Chocolates.
You don’t want to fill your cupcake pans all the way full with batter since you want to leave room for them to expand. Only fill your cupcake liners ¾ of the way full.
If you want to freeze your cupcakes to frost later, you will want to first let them cool completely. Then, wrap each cupcake individually with plastic wrap. Place your cupcakes in a sturdy airtight container and place them in the freezer. They will stay good for 3 months.
This fudge frosting is best if you’re a chocolate lover like me! You can also use chocolate buttercream frosting , cream cheese frosting, chocolate ganache , vanilla frosting , peanut butter frosting, or any frosting you prefer.
Yes. This cupcake batter yields enough batter for 24 cupcakes, one 2-layer (8-inch) cake, or a 9×13-inch single-layer cake.
The cupcakes are decadent and tender on their own, but when you add the fudge frosting on top, they are irresistibly delicious. You can easily make the frosting while you are baking and cooling the cupcakes.
Tips!
- If you don’t have cake flour, you can use all-purpose or make your own by measuring 2¼ cups of all-purpose flour, removing 4½ tablespoons from the cup, and adding 4½ tablespoons of cornstarch. Whisk together and sift well before using.
- You can make these cupcakes into a cake by doubling the recipe. This will make a 3-layer cake using 8-inch round pans.
- Be sure to let your cupcakes cool completely before frosting. You don’t want runny frosting or destroyed cupcakes.
You can also substitute some of the ingredients to make these cupcakes even better. Keep reading to find out different variations to the recipe!
Can I use hot coffee instead of hot water to intensify the chocolate flavor?
Absolutely! In fact, I prefer to use coffee instead of water. A little bit of coffee goes amazing with the melted chocolate. This is because coffee enhances the flavor of chocolate giving you a rich, chocolatey flavor.
Can I use yogurt in place of sour cream?
Yes, you can! Plain Greek yogurt makes an excellent stand-in for sour cream. Plus, yogurt is a healthier alternative. Keep in mind that baked goods made with yogurt will turn out less tender, lighter in texture, and have a tangier flavor as opposed to the buttery flavor.
Can I use all-purpose flour for these cupcakes?
This recipe uses cake flour. Using cake flour gives you a more tender texture, finer crumbs, and cakes made with cake flour often rise easier. However, all-purpose flour works fine, too. It’s all up to your preference.
These chocolate cupcakes with fudge frosting are a chocolate lover’s delight! Whether you need a quick dessert to bring into the office, or you forgot to buy cupcakes to send in with your child to school, you can easily whip up these delicious chocolate fudge cupcakes.
More Homemade Cupcake Recipes to Try:
- Brownie Cupcakes
- Carrot Cake Cupcakes
- Strawberry Cupcakes
- The Best Red Velvet Cupcakes
- Apple Pie Cupcakes
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2¼ cups cake flour 270 grams, sifted (see note)
- ▢ 2 teaspoons baking soda 12 grams
- ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 grams
- ▢ ½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams, room temperature (1 stick)
- ▢ 2½ cups brown sugar 533 grams
- ▢ 3 large eggs 150 grams, room temperature and lightly beaten
- ▢ 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract 6 grams
- ▢ 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate 28 grams, melted
- ▢ 1 cup sour cream 227 grams, room temperature
- ▢ 1 cup water 227 grams, hot (200°F)
- ▢ 4 cups Chocolate Fudge Frosting (click for recipe)
- ▢ Sprinkles optional, for decorating
Video
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Line two 12-count cupcake tins with paper liners. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. 2¼ cups cake flour, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and brown sugar together until incorporated, about 2 minutes. ½ cup unsalted butter, 2½ cups brown sugar
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating to incorporate after each addition. 3 large eggs
- With the mixer on low speed, add the vanilla and melted chocolate. 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
- Add the sour cream and dry ingredients alternately in 3 additions, starting and ending with the flour. Beat each addition just until incorporated. 1 cup sour cream
- Stir in the hot water and beat just until will mixed. 1 cup water
- Pour the batter (it will be very runny) into the prepared muffin tins, filling each well about ¾ full.
- Place one cupcake pan in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Rotate the pan and bake another 5-10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Transfer the cupcake pan to a cooling rack and place the second cupcake pan into the oven. Bake as directed above.
- Cool the cupcakes in the baking pan for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the cupcakes and place on the cooling rack to completely cool.
- Frost each cupcake with chocolate fudge frosting and garnish with your favorite sprinkles. 4 cups Chocolate Fudge Frosting, Sprinkles
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Fine Mesh Sieve
- 2 Cupcake Tin
- Stand Mixer
Becky’s Tips
- DIY Cake Flour : I f you don’t have cake flour, you can use all-purpose or make your own by measuring 2¼ cups of all-purpose flour, removing 4½ tablespoons from the cup, and adding 4½ tablespoons of cornstarch. Whisk together and sift well before using.
- You can make these cupcakes into a cake by doubling the recipe. This will make a 3-layer cake using 8-inch round pans.
- Be sure to let your cupcakes cool completely before frosting. You don’t want runny frosting or destroyed cupcakes.
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Chocolate Cupcakes with Fudge Frosting Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Fine Mesh Sieve
- 2 Cupcake Tin
- Stand Mixer
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups cake flour 270 grams, sifted (see note)
- 2 teaspoons baking soda 12 grams
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 grams
- ½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams, room temperature (1 stick)
- 2½ cups brown sugar 533 grams
- 3 large eggs 150 grams, room temperature and lightly beaten
- 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract 6 grams
- 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate 28 grams, melted
- 1 cup sour cream 227 grams, room temperature
- 1 cup water 227 grams, hot (200°F)
- 4 cups Chocolate Fudge Frosting (click for recipe)
- Sprinkles optional, for decorating
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Line two 12-count cupcake tins with paper liners. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. 2¼ cups cake flour, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and brown sugar together until incorporated, about 2 minutes. ½ cup unsalted butter, 2½ cups brown sugar
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating to incorporate after each addition. 3 large eggs
- With the mixer on low speed, add the vanilla and melted chocolate. 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
- Add the sour cream and dry ingredients alternately in 3 additions, starting and ending with the flour. Beat each addition just until incorporated. 1 cup sour cream
- Stir in the hot water and beat just until will mixed. 1 cup water
- Pour the batter (it will be very runny) into the prepared muffin tins, filling each well about ¾ full.
- Place one cupcake pan in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Rotate the pan and bake another 5-10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Transfer the cupcake pan to a cooling rack and place the second cupcake pan into the oven. Bake as directed above.
- Cool the cupcakes in the baking pan for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the cupcakes and place on the cooling rack to completely cool.
- Frost each cupcake with chocolate fudge frosting and garnish with your favorite sprinkles. 4 cups Chocolate Fudge Frosting, Sprinkles
Video
Notes
- DIY Cake Flour : I f you don’t have cake flour, you can use all-purpose or make your own by measuring 2¼ cups of all-purpose flour, removing 4½ tablespoons from the cup, and adding 4½ tablespoons of cornstarch. Whisk together and sift well before using.
- You can make these cupcakes into a cake by doubling the recipe. This will make a 3-layer cake using 8-inch round pans.
- Be sure to let your cupcakes cool completely before frosting. You don’t want runny frosting or destroyed cupcakes.
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
