A rich and moist chocolate cupcake topped with an easy vanilla frosting will have you finding an excuse to make these cupcakes at every chance you get.
¼cup+ 2 tablespoon buttermilk, at room temperature
¼cupvegetable oil
2tablespoonsour cream, at room temperature
½tablespoonvanilla extract
¾cupall-purpose flour
¾cupgranulated sugar
½cupunsweetened cocoa powder
¾teaspoonbaking powder
¾teaspoonbaking soda
½teaspoonkosher salt
3tablespoonhot black coffee
¼cupmini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Vanilla Frosting
1cupunsalted butter, room temperature (2 sticks)
3cupspowdered sugar
2teaspoonvanilla extract
2tablespoonheavy cream
Instructions
Chocolate Cupcakes
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 12 muffin tins with paper liners. Set aside.
In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat together the egg, buttermilk, vegetable oil, sour cream and vanilla extract until smooth.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until there are no longer any clumps. Add the coffee and mix until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
Pour the batter ⅔ full among the muffin tins and bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. When cupcakes are done remove immediately from tins and leave on a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting. Top with sprinkles if desired.
Vanilla Frosting
In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, mix butter and sugar. Mix on low speed until blended and then increase speed to medium and beat for about 3 minutes.
Add vanilla extract and heavy cream and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 more minute, adding some more cream if needed for spreading consistency. Place in fridge until ready to use on cupcakes.
Notes
Do not skip the buttermilk as it helps create the moistness you expect from chocolate cupcakes.
If you don't have sour cream, you can either replace with Greek yogurt or an additional 2 tablespoon buttermilk.
All refrigerated items should be at room temperature, which helps the batter mix easily and evenly.
Use natural cocoa powder vs Dutch-processed cocoa powder as natural cocoa powder isn’t as intense of a flavor.
The coffee helps just intensify the chocolate flavor. But if you don't believe me or don't have any, just use hot water.
When adding the batter to the muffin tin, don't fill more than ⅔ of the way as they do rise.
Allow the cupcakes to completely cool before adding the frosting, otherwise it will melt.
If you want mini cupcakes, fill mini liners only halfway and bake for 10-12 minutes at 350°F. It yields about 3 dozen