Moist Chocolate Cupcakes with Fudge Frosting

I’m excited to share with you my irresistible recipe for moist chocolate cupcakes with indulgent fudge frosting. These delectable treats are guaranteed to satisfy your chocolate cravings and impress both kids and adults alike. 

The moist and tender chocolate cupcakes are made from scratch, using high-quality cocoa powder and other basic pantry ingredients, resulting in a rich and balanced chocolate flavor. And the fudge frosting? It’s thick, creamy, and lusciously chocolatey, offering the perfect finishing touch to these delightful cupcakes and is completely optional.

Don’t be scared with a little runny batter; simply use the 1/3 measuring cup to pour the batter in the liners. Rest of the ingredients and process is pretty simple and straight forward. If you don’t have a tip and piping bag, just use a palette knife to slather that amazing frosting on cupcakes.

Recipe at a Glance

For the Cupcakes

Butter – Room temperature, unsalted

Sugar – Granulated

Eggs – 2 medium

Cocoa powder – Any good quality brand

Boiling water

Vanilla – Essence or extract

Baking powder (always check for expiry)

Flour – All purpose flour

Salt

For the Fudge Frosting

Butter – Melted

Milk – Full fat milk

Icing sugar – Sifted

Vanilla – Essence or extract

Salt

Cocoa powder – Any good quality brand

Step by Step Process

For the Cupcakes

Step 1– Dissolve cocoa powder in water.

Step 2– Beat butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla and continue to beat.

Step 3– Sift together flour, salt and baking powder.

Step 4– Add the flour to the butter mixture and beat at lowest till mixed. Add the cocoa powder mixture in the batter and beat until mixed.

Step 5– Take 1/3 measuring cup from the batter and put in each liner.

For the Fudge Frosting

Beat all the ingredients, melted butter, icing sugar, cocoa powder, milk and vanilla really well and refrigerate till set and is piping consistency.

FAQs

How can I ensure that my chocolate cupcakes are moist? 

To ensure moist cupcakes

• Avoid overbaking the cupcakes as this can make them dry, check for doneness in the last 10 minutes.
• Use all room temperature ingredients to ensure proper mixing.

How should I store chocolate cupcakes?

Once cooled, chocolate cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. If you want to prolong their freshness, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Just make sure to bring them back to room temperature before serving.

What are some popular frosting options for chocolate cupcakes? 

Popular frosting options for chocolate cupcakes include fudge frosting, chocolate ganache, buttercream (vanilla, coffee and chocolate), cream cheese frosting, or even a simple dusting of powdered sugar. You can also add toppings like chocolate curls, sprinkles, or crushed cookies.

Can I freeze chocolate cupcakes? 

You can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight box, after cooling. Again wrap the box in plastic bag and defrost on counter for a couple of hours before frosting.

Serving Suggestions

Cupcakes are perfect to serve on birthdays or even hi-tea parties. They also make for a perfect snack for kids’ lunchboxes. Simply take out frozen cupcakes, place them in the lunch box and in couple of hours, by their lunch time, they will be completely thawed.

Substitutions and Variations

These cupcakes taste perfectly moist and decadent even on their own; however, the fudge frosting gives it an extra kick. Other variations in frosting can be vanilla buttercream, chocolate ganache or even cream cheese frosting.

Storage and Make Ahead

see the FAQs above

Related Recipes

Looking for perfectly moist Vanilla Cupcakes? Here is my favorite recipe. Or you can give a try to Marble Cupcakes.