Decadent Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

There’s something irresistible about a rich, moist chocolate cupcake topped with creamy, chocolate-infused cream cheese frosting. These cupcakes are the perfect balance of deep cocoa flavor and luscious texture, making them a favorite for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a birthday, a party, or simply indulging your chocolate cravings, this recipe is a must-try.

The combination of buttermilk and hot coffee in the batter enhances the depth of chocolate, creating a soft, tender crumb. And the frosting—oh, the frosting! Cream cheese adds a slight tang that complements the chocolate, making it velvety smooth and utterly delicious.

If you’re a chocolate lover, these cupcakes will be your new obsession! Let’s dive into the recipe.

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cupcakes:

Ingredient	Quantity
All-purpose flour	1 ¼ cups
Unsweetened cocoa powder	½ cup
Baking powder	1 tsp
Baking soda	½ tsp
Salt	¼ tsp
Granulated sugar	¾ cup
Brown sugar	¼ cup
Large eggs	2
Buttermilk	½ cup
Vegetable oil	⅓ cup
Vanilla extract	1 tsp
Hot coffee (or hot water)	½ cup

For the Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting:

Ingredient	Quantity
Cream cheese (softened)	8 oz (1 block)
Unsalted butter (softened)	½ cup (1 stick)
Unsweetened cocoa powder	⅓ cup
Powdered sugar	2 ½ cups
Vanilla extract	1 tsp
Heavy cream (if needed)	1-2 tbsp

Optional Garnishes:

• Chocolate shavings
• Mini chocolate chips
• Cocoa powder dusting
• Chocolate sprinkles

Equipment Needed

• Muffin tin
• Cupcake liners
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer or whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cooling rack
• Piping bag with frosting tip (for a professional look)

A muffin tin lined with cupcake liners ensures easy removal, while an electric mixer helps achieve a smooth batter and fluffy frosting.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making the Chocolate Cupcakes:

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Incorporate Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.
5. Add Hot Coffee: Slowly mix in the hot coffee (or hot water). The batter will be thin, but that’s perfect—it ensures moist cupcakes!
6. Fill and Bake: Pour the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ full. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool Completely: Let the cupcakes rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.

Making the Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. Beat the Cream Cheese and Butter: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy.
2. Add Cocoa Powder and Sugar: Gradually add cocoa powder and powdered sugar, mixing on low speed at first to prevent a mess.
3. Flavor and Adjust: Add vanilla extract and mix well. If the frosting is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream until you reach a spreadable consistency.
4. Whip Until Fluffy: Beat for another 2-3 minutes until the frosting is light and creamy.

Frosting the Cupcakes:

1. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
2. Pipe the frosting onto the completely cooled cupcakes in a circular motion.
3. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings, mini chocolate chips, or cocoa powder for extra indulgence.

Tips and Variations

• Make it Extra Chocolaty: Add ½ cup of mini chocolate chips to the batter for extra bursts of chocolate in every bite.
• Coffee-Free Option: Replace hot coffee with hot water if you prefer a caffeine-free version.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use almond milk with 1 tsp vinegar instead of buttermilk, and dairy-free butter and cream cheese for the frosting.
• Less Sweet Frosting: Reduce the powdered sugar by ½ cup if you prefer a slightly tangier, less sweet frosting.
• Double the Batch: This recipe can easily be doubled if making for a large gathering.

Serving Suggestions

For a visually stunning presentation, serve the cupcakes on a tiered dessert stand, dusted lightly with cocoa powder. Pair them with a drizzle of melted chocolate or caramel for extra decadence.

To add a festive touch, top with chocolate curls or crushed Oreos. For a pop of color, garnish with fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries.

Perfect Pairings

• Coffee or Espresso: The rich flavors of these cupcakes complement a cup of black coffee or a creamy cappuccino.
• Red Wine: A bold red wine, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, enhances the deep cocoa notes.
• Milkshakes: A vanilla or chocolate milkshake alongside these cupcakes makes for the ultimate dessert pairing.
• Baileys Irish Cream: A small glass of Baileys or a Baileys-spiked coffee pairs beautifully with the chocolatey goodness.

Storage and Reheating

• Refrigeration: Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: Unfrosted cupcakes can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
• Reheating: Bring cupcakes to room temperature before serving to restore their soft texture.

Nutritional Information (Per Cupcake with Frosting)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	~320
Carbohydrates	42g
Sugar	30g
Protein	4g
Fat	16g
Saturated Fat	8g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Conclusion

These chocolate cupcakes with chocolate cream cheese frosting are the perfect treat for any chocolate lover. Their moist, tender crumb pairs beautifully with the rich, tangy frosting, creating a balance of flavors that is simply irresistible. Whether you’re making them for a celebration or as an everyday indulgence, they’re sure to impress anyone who takes a bite. The deep cocoa notes, enhanced by the addition of hot coffee, make these cupcakes stand out from the rest, delivering a bakery-quality experience right from your kitchen.

Beyond their incredible taste, these cupcakes are also easy to make with simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. They can be customized with different toppings, made dairy-free, or even adjusted for varying levels of sweetness. Paired with coffee, wine, or a scoop of ice cream, they become an even more luxurious dessert. So, gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and treat yourself to these decadent chocolate cupcakes—you won’t regret it!