My Go-To Chocolate Cupcake Recipe
I’ve finally found it. A go-to chocolate cupcake recipe. This recipe yields consistent results every time I make it. I get exactly 12 domed chocolate cupcakes. And the batter is so easy to throw together. You don’t even have to get the mixer dirty.
I owe a huge thanks to Megan from Delicious Dishings. I had asked her about her favorite chocolate cupcake recipe and she recommended the one found in Joanne Chang’s Flour cookbook. Now, Megan worked at Flour, so I thought she might be a little biased. But then I made the cupcakes for my birthday. And ever since then, every time I need a chocolate cupcake, I just go to this recipe. And believe me, I’ve made quite a few chocolate cupcake recipes.
These cupcakes don’t have any random ingredients that you might not have on hand like sour cream or coffee, which means I can whip them up whenever a craving hits. Do note that the batter has to sit for an hour (or up to three days in the fridge) to allow all the dry ingredients to soak up the liquid ingredients. So be sure to give yourself plenty of time to make these cupcakes. Believe me, they’re well worth the wait.
Chocolate Cupcakes
Yield: 12 cupcakes
Ingredients:
2 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, cut up
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Directions:
In a heatproof bowl, combine chocolate and cocoa powder.
In a saucepan over medium heat, heat the granulated sugar, butter, and water, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Pour the butter mixture over the chocolate and whisk until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth.
Whisk the milk, egg, extra yolk, and vanilla into the chocolate mixture until combined.
In a bowl, stir the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until blended. Add the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture and whisk until smooth.
Let the batter sit at room temperature for 1 hour or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Divide the batter among the muffin cups. Bake for 30 minutes or until the tops spring back when pressed lightly with a fingertip. Set on a wire rack and leave to cool completely.
Recipe from Joanne Chang, as seen in the Flour cookbook
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
What a cute idea! As always, you’ve provided the inspiration for what I’ll make this weekend as a dessert.
PS – Using leftover pulled pork from your recipe to make nachos as well!
I love this! I’m new to baking so I’m wondering: when you pipe the batter onto the pan, how much batter do you use for each one? I’m just wondering if I should make them thin, or will they spread out? Thanks 🙂
beantownbaker — February 3rd, 2014 @ 4:54 pm
Sorry for not responding sooner. They spread out a little bit, but not too much. Did you end up making them? How did they turn out?
They turned out great! my first few tests, i made them too big with too much batter, and they were pretty huge. I was surprised how little batter you need, and they are so nice and fluffy 😀
I couldn’t find marshmallow frosting, so i ended up making my own.. turns out its pretty easy! thanks again! they were a huge hit!
beantownbaker — February 4th, 2014 @ 10:56 am
So glad you enjoyed them!
How far in advance can you assemble them? I was hoping to do so at least two hours ahead of time. Thank you.
We discovered these yummies while on the hunt for the perfect Suberbowl treat! They look delicious! Thanks for sharing!