These classic chocolate cupcakes are light, rich and a true classic! I know you’re going to love them as much as we do. No matter the occasion you’ll come back to this recipe time and time again.
Years ago when I made cakes and cupcakes for showers and parties people were always surprised when I said I didn’t like cake. I love to bake cakes and cupcakes but I honestly don’t love eating them. Every now and again a cake recipe makes it into my kitchen that I actually like to eat and these classic chocolate cupcakes fell into that category quickly!
Over the years I’ve tried more cake recipes than I can count. I’ve perfected a few, including this recipe. This is always my go-to chocolate cupcake recipe. It’s a moist cake recipe by Hershey that I adapted it to fit our taste. This recipe makes 12-14 cupcakes but can easily be doubled.
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The frosting is a smooth chocolate cream cheese frosting. If you’re not into the super sweet stuff this recipe has your name on it! It’s just the right amount of rich and sweetness. It holds its shape very well when piped and doesn’t crust. It’s just perfect!
Classic Chocolate Cupcakes with A Cute Ghost Topper
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 3/4 tsp. baking soda
- 3/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 Lg. egg
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup oil
- 1/2 cup boiling water
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz. cream cheese
- 1/2 cup butter (room temperature)
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin tin with paper liners.
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Sift the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda and baking powder together in a large bowl.
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Whisk in the egg, milk, oil and vanilla.
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Heat the 1/2 cup of water in a glass measuring cup in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes until boiling. Whisk into batter until combined and smooth. Batter will be thin.
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Fill cupcake liners until 2/3 full. Do not overfill. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out clean. Take out of the muffin tin cook on a wire rack.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
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Using a mixer beat the cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Add in the butter a couple of tablespoons at a time and beat until combined.
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Add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder mixture and vanilla extract all at once and mix frosting until smooth and combined.
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Spread of pipe on cooled cupcakes. Store leftover frosting in the fridge in an air-tight container.
A while back I found an image of some Halloween cupcakes with a similar ghost on top and although I never had found a source for those cute ghost cupcakes I decided to create my own, similar ghost toppers.
For the cute ghost you’ll need white fondant (you can use ready made fondant or make your own marshmallow fondant – here’s our fav. recipe.), small lollipops (Dum-Dums work great.) and a black edible pen. Roll out the fondant to just under 1/4″. Using a round 4″ cookie or biscuit cutter cut out a circle for each cupcake. Drape the fondant circle over the top of the lollipop. Shape it slightly around the lollipop creating a gathered look around the bottom. Use the edible pen to make two small eyes. Place into the center of the cupcake to create a floating ghost look.
Are they not the cutest? I didn’t get to picky when it came to getting the frosting just right. The ghost helps hide mistakes. I’m not a big fan of cutesy desserts that aren’t practical or taste good. I think that you can achieve both without going over board. Keeping decorations simple and using natural colors creates an appetizing treat that people will actually enjoy. There’s not need for crazy colors or silly candy. Just keep it simple and yummy!
What have you enjoyed baking this fall? I’ve got a wonderful tomato basil soup recipe to share with you soon. I hope to make a pot this weekend into order to photograph the steps. I hope you’ll join me back here for that next week. I hope you’re all having a wonderful fall season and happy baking!
Amanda,
These look absolutely delicious! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
These are just the cutest!!