These chocolate cupcakes are extra moist and topped with a silky sour cream chocolate frosting! They have a light and fluffy consistency but are still so rich and flavor. It’s bound to be your new go-to chocolate cupcake recipe.
What makes this the best chocolate cupcake recipe?
Whenever I create a cupcake recipe, I always use box cake mix as my point of reference. There’s just something about a mix that makes cakes so good! They’re light and delicate yet so moist and flavorful.
That’s what you can expect from this recipe. These cupcakes are like little chocolate clouds that are so rich and chocolatey.
Plus, the batter itself is mixed by hand! They’re so quick and easy to make and yield the most perfect chocolate cupcakes every time.
But to enhance this recipe even more, a few secret ingredients are added:
- Dutch Process Cocoa – This is cocoa powder that has be alkalized to cut the acidity. It has a smoother chocolate flavor with a rich dark color.
- Espresso – Coffee and chocolate go hand in hand as it helps bring out the chocolate flavor even more. Warm espresso is mixed in to the batter to give these cupcakes a boost of flavor.
- Sour Cream – My favorite cake baking ingredient. Sour cream adds so much richness and moisture, while the acidity helps activate the baking soda. In the end you’re left with a moist but bouncy cake.
Tips for baking perfect chocolate cupcakes
This cupcake batter is so easy to make, but here are a few tips to ensure they turn out just right:
- Flour – I say this in every recipe, and for good reason. It’s the number one reason why most recipes fail. If there’s too much flour, these cupcakes will turn out tough and dry. If possible, measure the flour with a food scale. Otherwise, gently spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a flat edge. We always want a light and fluffy cup of flour.
- Cocoa Powder – Same measuring rule applies here!
- Mixing – When all of the wet ingredients are added to the dry ingredients, practice gentle mixing. If the batter is over worked, it could cause tough cupcakes that cave in the center.
- Hot Water – When mixing the water and espresso into the batter, it’s important that the water is hot. The heat will activate the cocoa powder to bring out even more flavor.
- Filling – Fill each cupcake liner about halfway. If the cups are filled with too much batter, the cupcakes will bake with XL tops and run the risk of sinking in the center.
- Cooling – Try to remove the cupcakes from the hot baking pan as soon as possible. That residual heat can cook the cupcakes even further, so transferring the cupcakes to a cooling rack ASAP will ensure light and delicate cakes.
How to make chocolate sour cream frosting
I don’t know which I love more, the chocolate cupcakes or the chocolate sour cream frosting on top. It’s so silky, so smooth, so chocolatey, and not overly sweet. It’s basically perfect for anyone who is anti frosting…although I cannot relate one bit.
The frosting start off by melting together semisweet chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, and corn syrup. I recommend using chopped chocolate bars here as they are better suited for melting vs chocolate chips. Corn syrup is there to prevent crystallization and adds lots of gloss and shine!
Once melted, warm sour cream is mixed in to the chocolate. It’s important that the sour cream is warm because if cold cream is mixed into warm chocolate, it can cause the chocolate to seize up.
Meanwhile, butter and sugar are being creamed together in a stand mixer. Once smooth, the sour cream mixture is poured into the butter and sugar.
Naturally, this will cause the frosting to thin as the warm chocolate will melt the butter. This is normal! That’s why the frosting is chilled while the cupcakes bake. Once cooled, it will thicken in to a smooth and spreadable frosting.
Additional chocolate cupcake frosting options
If you prefer a more traditional chocolate buttercream frosting, use the chocolate buttercream recipe from my gluten free chocolate cupcakes.
I also have a recipe for cream cheese frosting where I also share how to turn it into a chocolate cream cheese frosting.
For a true and rich chocolate frosting, chocolate ganache is another great frosting option. See my gluten free chocolate cupcakes for that recipe.
Chocolate Cupcakes FAQ’s
Luckily I already have a gluten free chocolate cupcake recipe here!
Yes, but for the best flavor and consistency I suggest sticking with dark brown sugar.
Unfortunately not. The acidity of traditional cocoa powder can throw off the lift of these cupcakes.
Full fat Greek yogurt works the exact same. Otherwise, you can try buttermilk.
Keep the cupcakes in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. They’ll keep moist for about 4 days.
For more chocolate cake recipes, check out my:
- Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes
- Gluten Free Chocolate Cake
- Fudgy Vegan Chocolate Cake
- Toasted S’mores Cupcakes
- Blackberry Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Sheet Cake
Make sure to tag me @butternutbakery on Instagram and comment below if you make these chocolate cupcakes. To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can use the button on the recipe card or on any of the photos above. Happy baking!
Watch how to make these chocolate cupcakes:
Moist Chocolate Cupcakes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 15 cupcakes
Description
These moist chocolate cupcakes live up to their name with an incredibly rich and bouncy texture with delicious chocolate flavor. They’re also topped with a silky chocolate sour cream frosting that isn’t overly sweet!
Ingredients
Chocolate Cupcakes
- 1 cup (132g) all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100g) dark brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (50g) dutch process cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (108g) vegetable oil
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (120g) sour cream
- 1/2 cup (118ml) hot water
- 1/2 tsp instant espresso powder or instant coffee granules
Sour Cream Chocolate Frosting
- 1/2 cup (110g) unsalted butter, room temp
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 3 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 2 tbsp light corn syrup
- 3/4 cup (180g) sour cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Chocolate sprinkles
Instructions
Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting
- First, make the frosting as it will need time to chill and thicken while the cupcakes bake.
- In a large bowl using a hand or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix the butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Meanwhile, add the chocolate and corn syrup to a heat safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until smooth, stirring between each interval.
- Then microwave the sour cream for about 30 seconds or until thinned and smooth.
- Mix the warm sour cream into the warm chocolate along with the vanilla. Stir to combine.
- With the mixer running, slowly pour the chocolate into the sugar and butter. Mix until smooth.
- The frosting should be pretty thin at this point, like the consistency of freshly made pudding.
- Place the bowl into the refrigerator and allow the frosting to chill and thicken for about 45 minutes. Stir the frosting every so often to ensure it chills evenly.
Chocolate Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a cupcake pan with 12 liners and a second pan with 3 liners (this recipe makes 15 cupcakes).
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs, vanilla, and sour cream.
- In a measuring glass, combine the hot water and espresso powder.
- Pour the oil mixture into the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
- Halfway through mixing, pour in the coffee mixture and continue to stir until smooth.
- Distribute the batter between the liners, filling each halfway full.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until puffed and a toothpick in the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Transfer the cupcakes to a cooling rack as soon as possible, careful not to touch the pan as it will be very hot.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
- By the time the cupcakes have cooled, the frosting should be thickened and spreadable. If it’s TOO thick, remove a few spoonfuls and microwave until thin and smooth. Then mix the warm frosting into the bowl of chilled frosting.
- Frost with a piping tip or with a handmade swirl and top with sprinkles of choice. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cooling Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chocolate cupcakes, chocolate cupcake recipe, moist chocolate cupcakes, chocolate cupcake, moist chocolate cupcake recipe
jk says
Jenna, continually searching for ‘my’ perfect chocolate cupcake recipe. This one sounds like one I would like to try.
Question is: what brand of flour do you use? As you know the protein level in flour can alter a recipe. I use King Arthur & Pillsbury as my flour of choice. Thanking you in advance for your help.
Shana says
Beyond delish!
EG says
The best choc cupcake recipe ever! Super moist and full of flavour without being to rich and heavy. The light and fluffy sour cream frosting perfectly compliments the cake and super delicious. This will be my go to recipe for chocolate cupcakes !!
★★★★★
Jenna says
Thank you!!
Raeesa Sarlie says
These cupcakes are really soft and moist. They are delicious. The icing is the best!
Rachelle says
I have to say, I typically find most cupcake recipes to be underwhelming but I tried this. Hands down, the best chocolate sponge I have had in a while. The flavor was so chocolatey with that zing of the sour cream adds another level of complexity. Also, VERY MOIST!! This is going in my roster as my go-to for chocolate cupcakes. Thank you for sharing!!!
★★★★★
Jenna says
Yay! Thank you!!
Dana says
Delicious cupcakes and I love that I didn’t have to pull out my big mixer! However, I had an issue whisking out the clumps of the brown sugar when mixing with the dry ingredients. Typically sugar is whisked with wet ingredients, could that be done here to avoid this issue? I’m worried someone is going to bite into a chunk of sugar! Otherwise, I loved this easy and yummy recipe. Thank you!!
★★★★
Jenna says
Next time try mixing the sugar by itself before adding the rest of the dry ingredients. That should help with the lumps
Heather Lee says
Could this be made in a sheet pan and yield similar results? I’m making a sheet cake for my son’s first birthday and looking for the perfect chocolate recipe.
Jenna says
Use my chocolate sheet cake recipe instead 🙂
Chris says
Hi Jenna.
Recipes look amazing! Can I skip the coffee/espresso and just put the warm water?
Thanks.
Jenna says
Yes you can, but espresso really does help enhance the flavor!
Lindsey says
Just made these cupcakes today and they were pure heaven!! Enjoyed every bite and cant wait to make them again! Truly a chocolate lovers dream 🙂 10/10
★★★★★
Name says
I was just wondering does the coffee make it coffee flavoured at all?
★★★★★
Jenna says
Nope it just enhances the chocolate flavor!
Victoria says
These came out so delicious. This will be my go to for chocolate cupcake or cake.The espresso really makes it taste so good. Thanks for another great recipe
★★★★★
Iqra says
Jenna!! This recipe was incredible!!! I made it for my sisters bridal party and everyone loved it!!! I was thinking I’d use the same recipe but make it into a cake form. Would that be possible?
★★★★★
Jenna says
I suggest my vegan chocolate cake instead! It’s SOOOOO moist!
Evija says
Cupcakes and frosting was so delicious. Everyone enyojed and wanted more. 🙂
Even do i didn’t have all the ingredients. As corn syrup used maple syrup and vanilla extract vanilla sugar.
Thank you for the recipe! Have a wonderful day. 😊
★★★★★
Bridget says
Hi Jenna,
Just made a batch of these delicious cupcakes but the yield was 19 instead of 15 filling up halfway as per instructions. I used standard/regular sized baking cups. Do you use extra large as per the ones advertised under Equipment on this page?
Thanks!
Jenna says
Hi! No I used a standard cupcake tin. How did the cupcakes bake? They should puff just over the edge of the liners.
Bridget says
Because I didn’t want them to bake with “XL tops and run the risk of sinking in the center” as you cautioned, I was too cautious 🤦♀️ and didn’t fill the cups as much as I should have (stuck to the halfway point). So they puffed up a bit below the edge of the liners instead of above. That being said, they were amazingly delicious! The best…light, moist, fluffy! Next time I’ll try your chocolate sour cream frosting for that double hit of chocolate. I made them for someone and they wanted ombre so I did Swiss meringue buttercream.
Thanks for responding!
Annie says
Hi Jenna – Looks so good! I have an espresso machine. Can I use an actual shot of espresso and if so how much? Can’t wait to make these!
Jenna says
Sure! Pour it into a measuring glass and then fill the rest with hot water to make a total 1/2 cup of liquid.
Terri says
My search is over! These were the best chocolate cupcakes ever! They are not only moist but have the perfect balance of chocolate flavor. This is now my go to recipe replacing all of my other chocolate cake/cupcake recipes! Thank you!
★★★★★
Jenna says
Yay! Thank you!
Meri Boyer says
This is exactly how I like a chocolate cupcake—moist and tender with a deep chocolate flavor. I put vanilla buttercream on for icing because that’s my fave combo (and I spent all weekend doing things for the fam so they can eat what I want for once) but will try this sour cream frosting next time I need a chocolate frosting. As always, thank you for including weight measurements! Makes life and baking so much better. 🙂
★★★★★
Jenna says
Yay that sounds so good! Enjoy!
Stacey says
Can your sub with light brown sugar?
Jenna says
Yes that should be OK
Tanner says
Loves these cupcakes, could I make this as a cake?
★★★★★
Jenna says
Try making my vegan chocolate cake! It’s just as moist and rich as these cupcakes 🙂 The vegan part doesn’t even really matter. It just makes an incredibly good cake!
jennifer says
The best recipe. Look no further. Its a winner . Thank you .Thank you .Thank you.