I originally published this recipe in 2015 and have since added new photos and success tips. Have you tried my triple chocolate cake before? This chocolate cupcake recipe was adapted from that super-popular recipe. Like my classic vanilla cupcakes recipe, these chocolate cupcakes hold a sacred spot in my baking repertoire. There’s no reason to find a better version—this is THE chocolate cupcake recipe I use time and time again. I use the same batter to make these cream-filled chocolate cupcakes, too. (Try those next!) Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting are a birthday party classic, so I want to make sure you have a recipe for just that. They’re the perfect party tray complement to these yellow cupcakes with chocolate frosting!
These Chocolate Cupcakes With Vanilla Frosting Are:
Super moist and deeply chocolatey Soft with a spongey, cakey texture Based on the recipe for this reader-favorite chocolate cake Easy to prepare A delicious combination of vanilla + chocolate Perfect dessert for celebrations and birthday parties
5 Key Points to Remember
Grab these ingredients: Both recipes produce outstanding and deliciously moist chocolate cupcakes. But, when I’m looking for a stronger chocolate flavor, I choose today’s batter. Expect a thin batter. We don’t want a super thick batter here because that would yield dense cupcakes. That’s great for brownies, but we want spongey, cakey, and rich chocolate cupcakes. Remember: this recipe makes enough batter for 14 to 16 cupcakes. Don’t try to fit all the batter into 12 muffin cups—you will have a disaster on your hands!
Vanilla Buttercream + Other Options
I used a large open star tip for the pictured cupcakes: Ateco 826 piping tip. A smaller version of this, which produces a similar look, is Wilton 1M piping tip.
Chocolate Buttercream Strawberry Buttercream (similar to these chocolate-covered strawberry cupcakes) Whipped Frosting (not too sweet) Swiss Meringue Buttercream Marshmallow Creme Meringue Frosting (dairy free) Cookie Dough Frosting
