Small Batch Chocolate Cupcakes topped with creamy white chocolate buttercream. This easy, no-mixer recipe makes just six soft and moist chocolate cupcakes. They’re perfect for small parties or birthday celebrations. This recipe is part of our popular Small Batch series.
Small Batch Chocolate Cupcakes 🥳
There’s a new mini recipe in town that has caught our attention. Meet my super tender and moist chocolate cupcakes.
This small batch recipe makes just six perfect cupcakes. They’re quick and easy to make, with no electric mixer needed.
They keep well and have the perfect flat top for frosting. I’ve paired them with my popular White Chocolate Buttercream.
They’re perfect for small gatherings, parties, Valentine’s Day and birthday celebrations.
Why you will love this recipe
- Quick and easy: These Chocolate Cupcakes come together in minutes – no electric mixer needed.
- Simple ingredients: You only need a handful of basic ingredients to make these cupcakes.
- Flat tops: They have the perfect flat top so you can easily decorate or pipe on your frosting.
- Keep well: These cupcakes are soft and moist – and stay that way for days. In fact, they’re even better on day two.
- Small batch: This recipe makes just six moist chocolate cupcakes.
Recipe testing
It is so lovely to be back rolling out more Small Batch recipes. Born out of lockdown almost three years ago, these recipes are near and dear to my heart.
Last month, we enjoyed my new Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe which produces just three chewy cookies. And my Small Red Velvet Cake.
And now, I’m all about cupcakes. Specifically, six perfect chocolate cupcakes.
When testing this recipe, I took inspiration from my tried and true Chocolate Cupcake recipe.
Since our Small Batch recipes are all about being quick, easy and accessible, I swapped butter for oil and scaled back the other ingredients.
These cupcakes were lovely, however, the tops were quite domed which can make it difficult to neatly frost (test 1) and I also wanted to simplify the recipe even more.
So I changed the brown sugar to just caster sugar, and used only baking powder, instead of both baking powder and soda.
The results were good – really good (test 2).
Just to be sure, the cupcakes were really moist – and stayed that way for a good day or two – I tested both versions again but with more oil and sugar (test 3).
Overall, we found that cupcake 2 stayed soft and tender the longest – and had the best chocolate flavour.
Then I remembered the hot water trick! I know from my Mint Chocolate Cake that adding hot water can help create a super tender and flavourful chocolate cake.
So I did one final test using my new recipe. I added an extra 1/4 cup of hot water to the batter and then compared it side by side.
The water made an even MORE tender cake. And it was also less crumbly.
These moist chocolate cupcakes were now perfect – even my taste testers at home thought so!
Ingredients
You don’t need any fancy ingredients to make this easy recipe. Here’s a list of everything you will need for the cupcakes, including any substitutions you can make.
If you want to use the same frosting I have, check out my White Chocolate Buttercream recipe post for detailed instructions.
- Plain flour: Or all purpose flour.
- Cocoa powder: You can use either natural unsweetened cocoa powder or Dutch processed cocoa. I’ve use Dutch processed cocoa in the cupcakes pictured.
- Baking powder: I tested this recipe using baking power, baking soda and a mix of both. I found using just baking powder yielded the best results.
- Caster sugar: Or granulated sugar.
- Grapeseed oil: I love using grapeseed oil in my recipes. I find it leaves little or no aftertaste. If you don’t have it on hand, vegetable oil or any other flavourless oil should work. Alternatively, you can use melted butter, but I do find oil keeps the cupcakes soft and tender for longer.
- Vanilla extract: For a little extra flavour.
- Egg: To bind.
- Buttermilk: I encourage you to use full fat buttermilk if you can. A buttermilk substitute will work (see recipe notes) but store-bought full fat buttermilk will produce the best results. Alternatively, you could use full fat natural or Greek yogurt or sour cream.
- Hot water: Believe it or not, but a little hot water makes sure your cupcakes are extra soft, moist and tender. You can also use hot coffee if you prefer or add a little espresso powder to the hot water to enhance the chocolate flavour.
- Chocolate chips: The choc chips are definitely optional, but I love a little pop of chocolate in my cupcakes. I use milk chocolate chips, but any type of chocolate chips will work.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to make Chocolate Cupcakes
These easy chocolate cupcakes are made using a simple mix-and-stir recipe. You don’t need a handheld or stand mixer.
You can use a standard 6-hole (or 12-hole) muffin pan lined with cupcake liners or cases to make them.
Here’s a snapshot of how to make my Small Batch Chocolate Cupcakes. The full method and instructions are included in the recipe card below.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, sugar and salt (photo 1).
- In a separate mixing bowl, add oil, vanilla, egg and buttermilk. Stir with a fork just to break up the egg yolk (photo 2).
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients (photo 3) and start to stir. Add hot water and gently mix until a smooth chocolate cupcake batter forms.
- Stir through chocolate chips (photo 4). Spoon batter into prepared muffin pan (photo 5).
- Bake cupcakes for approximately 16-18 minutes (photo 6).
How to frost cupcakes
Once completely cooled, it’s time to decorate your perfect cupcakes. I highly recommend using my White Chocolate Buttercream – it’s creamy, thick and pipes beautifully.
Of course, you can use any frosting or buttercream you like. A Chocolate Buttercream Frosting would also work well for a double chocolate vibe.
Or you could do a Vanilla Buttercream or even a Swiss Meringue Buttercream for something a little more fancy.
Even cream cheese frosting would work!
To decorate your cupcakes, use a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. I’ve used a plastic 6mm round piping tip here (photo 7).
Make swirls and divots in the buttercream, using a teaspoon. Then add some rainbow sprinkles for colour and fun. Chocolate sprinkles would also work (photo 8).
If you don’t have a piping bag or nozzle, you can just spread the frosting onto each cupcake using a dessert spoon.
How to store cupcakes
Unfrosted cupcakes themselves will keep well at room temperature in an airtight container. Once frosted, you can store any leftover cupcakes in the fridge. Bring them back to room temperature before serving.
Make ahead: You can make these cupcakes a day in advance. They keep well and stay moist and tender. Any longer than 2 days, it’s best to freeze them. Then just defrost or bring back to room temperature before decorating and serving.
Why use hot water in chocolate cakes?
Adding hot water to chocolate cake batter helps create a flavourful chocolate cake with a tender crumb. It intensifies the cocoa flavour, reacts with baking powder for extra rise and helps create a less crumbly cake.
Frequently asked questions
I use a standard 6-hole muffin pan to make these cupcakes. Or you can use a 12-hole muffin pan and just use six of the holes. You can use paper liners for that signature cupcake look.
Hot but it doesn’t have to be boiling. I recommend boiling the kettle when you are ready to start baking. Pour out the required amount of water and let it sit at room temperature while you prepare your ingredients. Alternatively, you can use water from the tap if it gets very hot.
Yes! This recipe will make 12-14 mini cupcakes. The baking time will need to be reduced for mini cupcakes – check them around the 12-minute mark. You’ll know they are ready when they spring back lightly to the touch.
I used a round 6mm piping tip for these cupcakes. You can use any piping tip you like or even just use a dessert spoon to swirl on the frosting. No rules!
Yes you can! Or you can use my Double Chocolate Cupcake recipe which makes 12 chocolate cupcakes.
More cupcake recipes
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Hungry for more? Join me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter for more amazing recipe ideas.
Let’s Bake
Small Batch Chocolate Cupcake recipe
Six perfect Chocolate Cupcakes made from scratch.
Ingredients
Chocolate cupcakes
- 70 grams (1/2 cup) plain flour or all purpose flour
- 20 grams (1/4 cup) cocoa powder, sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 75 grams (1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon) caster sugar or granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) grapeseed oil or flavourless oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) full fat buttermilk
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) hot water
- 40 grams (1/4 cup) chocolate chips, optional
White chocolate frosting
- 1/2 batch of white chocolate buttercream
- Rainbow jimmy sprinkles, to decorate
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) standard / 160 C (320 F) fan-forced. Line a standard 6-hole muffin pan or a 12-hole muffin pan with six cupcake liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, sugar and salt. Give it a mix using a spatula or whisk.
- In a separate mixing bowl, add oil, vanilla, egg and buttermilk. Stir with a fork just to break up the egg yolk.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and start to stir gently. Pour in hot water and stir until a smooth chocolate batter forms.
- Stir through chocolate chips, if using. Spoon out batter into prepared pan, ensuring each hole is approximately three-quarters full.
- Bake cupcakes for approximately 16-18 minutes or until they spring back lightly to the touch. Remove from pan and leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
- To frost, use my White Chocolate Buttercream or your frosting of choice. Fill a piping bag fitted with a large round tip (I used a 6mm round tip) with buttercream.
- Pipe buttercream onto each cupcake, using a teaspoon to spread it out and make small divets here and there. Scatter over sprinkles.
Notes
Cocoa powder: You can use either natural unsweetened 100% cocoa or Dutch processed cocoa. I’ve use Dutch processed cocoa in the cupcakes pictured.
Grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil works really well in this recipe and leaves no aftertaste. If you don’t have it on hand, vegetable oil or any other flavourless oil will work.
Buttermilk: Use full fat buttermilk if you can. A buttermilk substitute will work but store-bought full fat buttermilk will produce the best results. Alternatively, you could use full fat natural or Greek yogurt. For the buttermilk substitute, add 1 teaspoon of white vinegar or fresh lemon juice to 1/4 cup of full fat or whole milk. Leave it sit for 1-2 minutes and then use as per recipe.
Hot water: I recommend boiling the kettle when you are ready to start baking. Pour out 1/4 cup of water and let it sit at room temperature while you prepare your ingredients. Alternatively, you can use water from the tap if it gets very hot.
Chocolate chips: Adding chocolate chips is optional. You can use any chocolate chips you like or simply leave them out.
Make ahead: You can make these cupcakes a day in advance. They keep well and stay moist and tender. Any longer than 2 days, it’s best to freeze them. Then just defrost or bring back to room temperature before decorating and serving.
Storage: Unfrosted cupcakes themselves will keep well at room temperature in an airtight container. Once frosted, you can store any leftover cupcakes in the fridge. Bring them back to room temperature before serving.
Nutrition Information
Britt says
I really enjoyed these, they were very easy to make and I love the small batch. They tasted great! My chocolate chips sank to the bottom and stuck to the muffin cups (I didn’t use liners), maybe next time I’ll just place some on top before baking instead. Will definitely make again!
Jessica Holmes says
So glad you enjoyed them Britt! That’s a good idea or you can omit the chocolate chip altogether – they’re delicious without them too!
Dianna says
Such a handy small batch cupcake recipe. Made them last weekend for a playdate and the lack of a full dozen meant the kids didn’t overdose on cupcakes lol.
I do say though, while these were lovely, I do prefer the sponge from your double chocolate cupcake recipe. I don’t know what it is, but I just find the sponges of the double choc cuppies a little bit more more-ish.
Jessica Holmes says
Thanks for your feedback Dianna! Glad you and the kids enjoyed them.
Mimi says
Hi! Is it possible to make mini Bundt cakes out of this recipe? Or any of your cupcake recipes?
Jessica Holmes says
Yes you could! Or you could try with my Mini Chocolate Cake recipe.
Mimi says
Made mini Bundt cakes with this recipe as well as your lemon cupcake recipe and they came out amazing! Love so many of your recipes!
Jessica Holmes says
Ohh love hearing that Mimi! Thanks for letting me know!
Josh says
These were amazing!
Jessica Holmes says
So glad you enjoyed them!