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The BEST chocolate birthday cupcakes…with fudgy chocolate buttercream!
This is the perfect Friday recipe, right?! Even if it’s not your birthday, we can certainly pretend, because trust me everyone needs a cupcake today. Yep, I’m just feeling like the world could use one or two. Now, I know cupcakes can’t really solve all the problems of the world. But you gotta admit, there’s something pretty wonderful about sitting down with a delicious chocolate buttercream cupcake that seems to melt away the problems of the world…if only temporarily.
As a lot of you already know, my adored little sister, Asher, celebrated a birthday this week. And as is tradition, every year I make a recipe for the blog that is birthday inspired. After all, she is my favorite (and only) little sister.
First Year: Ultimate Triple Layer Chocolate Bourbon Peanut Butter Buckeye Cake
Second Year: Magic Gooey Chocolate Meringue Texas Sheet Cake
Third Year: Chocolate Bourbon Caramel Macaron Cake (this was also my cookbook announcement post)
Fourth Year: Vanilla Birthday Cake with Whipped Chocolate Buttercream
Are you seeing a pattern? Lots and lots of chocolate, Asher’s favorite. Last year’s vanilla birthday cake was a pretty big stretch for me, but I was able to convince her with the whipped chocolate buttercream. She actually ended up loving that cake…and realizing that maybe, just maybe, there might be a few great non-chocolate desserts out there too.
Anyway, in previous years I’ve surprised Asher with a new cake recipe. But I’m going to be honest, most of the time she just ends up asking me to make her a regular chocolate cake. So this year I decided, instead of surprising her with one of my over-the-top cake creations, I would just ask the girl what she wanted.
To be expected she said chocolate cake, but this year she wanted the cake in the form of cupcakes! For some reason, Asher is really having a moment with cupcakes. Can you blame her though? Cupcakes are cute, hand-held, and an all around fun and delicious dessert.
Plus, I personally think cupcakes are small enough that it’s totally acceptable to go back for a second. Obviously.
It’s not very often that I do a super classic recipe like these cupcakes. But every once in a while I like to throw a classic into the mix, because sometimes, you really just cannot beat the classics.
And let’s be real, everyone needs a good chocolate cupcake recipe in their back pocket. It’s kind of a must.
The best part? These Best Chocolate Birthday Cupcakes are SO easy.
I’m talking ONE bowl for the cupcake batter, and ONE bowl for the buttercream. Honestly, these are so simple that the thought of running to the store for a box mix will not even cross your mind. And trust me, these cupcakes are million and one times better than anything out of a box.
The cake itself is incredibly soft, moist, and extra fudgy, with just the right amount of chocolate flavor, and the perfect amount of crumb. As the title states, these cupcakes are the BEST! I know, kind of bold, but these cupcakes have been made one hundred times over now, and they really just cannot be beat.
My little secret to making these cupcakes extra delicious? A couple of handfuls of mini chocolate chips stirred right into the batter.
Yummmm.
And the frosting? Oh, the frosting, it’s basically chocolate buttercream heaven, and the only real way to truly complete these cupcakes.
Also, I feel as though I should mention that everyone I make these cupcakes for likes the ratio of cake to buttercream to be close to one to one. This means my buttercream recipe makes a lot of frosting. I’d say you could downsize the recipe a bit, but then really, would you really want to do that?
I’m thinking not.
While we might not all be celebrating a birthday this week, we are heading into a long holiday weekend. Therefore, I could not think of a better recipe to send you guys off with than these chocolate cupcakes.
Perfect for any and all Labor Day activities!
Lastly, if you make The Best Chocolate Birthday Cupcakes be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
The Best Chocolate Birthday Cupcakes...with Fudgy Buttercream
Servings: 24 cupcakes
Calories Per Serving: 242 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/3 cup hot black coffee
- 1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Fudgy Buttercream
- 3 sticks (1 1/2 cups salted butter) at room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3-4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line 24 muffin tins with paper liners.2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, buttermilk, greek yogurt, canola oil, and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix until there are no longer any clumps of flour. Add the hot coffee and mix until combined. The batter should be pourable, but not super thin. Stir in the chocolate chips, if using.3. Pour the batter among the muffin tins and bake 15-18 minutes, until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove and let cool completely before frosting.
Fudgy Buttercream
- 1. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and powdered sugar until the butter is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the cocoa powder and vanilla and beat, scraping down the sides as needed another 2 minutes or until there are no streaks of white. Add 3 tablespoons of the heavy cream and whip the frosting for 2-4 minutes or until light and fluffy. If desired add the remaining tablespoon of the heavy cream. Taste the frosting and add more powdered sugar if you like a sweeter or thicker frosting.2. Frost each cupcake as desired. The cupcakes will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge, bring to room temp before eating.
this recipe is really perfect for a birthday and the cupcakes are very versatile, it works on any occasion
Hey Bia,
I am thrilled you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for giving it a try! xTieghan
I loved this cupcake recipe
Thanks so much Amanda!
What an amazing recipe! Is perfect! It was very easy to make and the result is incredible. Everybody loved them. I’m pretty sure I’ll be coming back again to this recipe!
Hi Adri! I am really glad you all enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for trying it!! xTieghan
I made these for my friend for her 50th birthday and she loves chocolate cupcakes. She said these were the best she’s ever had! I have to agree. Love, love, love!!!
Thank you so much Crista!! xTieghan
I really dislike coffee. Do you taste it at all in the finished product?
Hey Sarah,
You cannot taste the coffee, it just enhances the chocolate flavor. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I was just wondering can you taste the coffee in the cupcakes because I am making them for a friend and she likes coffee and I don’t but I want everyone to be able to enjoy them?
Hey Hannah,
You cannot taste the coffee, it just enhances the chocolate flavor. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi,
Can I use peanut/vegetable oil instead of canola oil? If not which other oil can I use
Thanks
Hey Deepti,
Yes vegetable oil is totally fine to use. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I made these today and honestly, they are the best cupcakes I have ever made. The batter was bananas! During Covid I have made a lot of your recipes and each one is delicious and easy and exactly as described. Thank you so much!
Aw that is so great to hear! I hope you continue to love this and other recipes of mine, Elissa! Thank you! xTieghan
I love all your post and I want to try your chocolate cake
I hope you do try it! Thank you so much Thina! xTieghan
So excited to make these for a bridal shower this weekend. Can I substitute coconut oil for the canola oil? Thanks!
Hi Kristen,
Yes that will work! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi! I want to make these for my nephews birthday but no buttermilk at the store, what can I use as a replacement?? Thank you!!
Hi Carolyn! I would use regular milk with a little under a tablespoon of lemon juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Would this recipe work with two 8 inch cake pans?
Hi Kelli! Yes, it will work! I hope you love this! xTieghan
I only made half this recipe and it was enough for the 5 star rating. Made these for my son’s birthday party with my own vanilla vanilla butter cream frosting. They didn’t last long! The cake was so moist and rich, but not too rich, and we all loved the add of the chocolate chips. We also made the Ice Cream Cake, and this same cake serves as a base layer – and it is now a family favorite. Thanks.
Hi! I am so glad this turned out so well for you all! Happy Birthday to your son! xTieghan
Thanks dear.
Can you please mention the weight of the ingredients in grams and mililitres.
Normally 1 cup equivalent to how much of grams?
Hi there! I am sorry, I am not comfortable converting the recipe to grams as it’s not something I’ve done and I don’t want to miss guide you. Have you tried using an online calculator?
Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
Can you freeze the baked cupcakes (and even the icing) and assemble the day of? Just trying to make them in the week, and have them ready for the weekend.
thanks!
Hey Laura! Yes, you can freeze both the cupcakes and frosting. I think that should work great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ??