Best Dark Chocolate Cupcakes Recipes

DARK CHOCOLATE BACON CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
• In a large bowl, stir together the flour, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the eggs, coffee, buttermilk and oil. Stir just until blended. Mix in 3/4 of the bacon, reserving the rest for garnish. Spoon the batter into the prepared cups, dividing evenly.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan set over a wire rack. When cool, arrange the cupcakes on a serving platter. Frost with your favorite chocolate frosting and sprinkle reserved bacon crumbles on top. Dust with additional cocoa powder.

DARK CHOCOLATE-CHERRY CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease or line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners.
• Stir flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Dig a well in the center and pour in buttermilk, eggs, butter, oil, and almond extract. Begin stirring, then use an electric mixer to make to a smooth, thick batter. Pour in cherry pie filling and stir until distributed.
• Spoon batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each 3/4 full. Try to distribute cherries evenly.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 23 to 27 minutes. Let cool completely.

DARK CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• In small microwavable bowl, microwave 2 tablespoons chocolate chips uncovered on High 1 minute, until melted, stirring once halfway through heating. Pour chocolate onto 12 x10-inch sheet of waxed paper; spread in thin layer, forming 3 x3-inch square. Place second 12 x10-inch sheet of waxed paper over chocolate square; press to release air bubbles. Roll waxed paper tightly into a cylinder. Regenerate until set.
• In medium heat- place 1 1/3 cups chocolate chips and 1/4 cup butter. In small microwavable bowl, microwave whipping cream on High about 1 minute or until cream just begins to simmer. Pour cream over chips and butter; beat with whisk until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth and shiny. Refrigerate 30 to 45 minutes until completely cooled, stirring occasionally.
• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Place Reynolds Baking Cups in each of 12 regular-size muffin cups. In medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder; set aside. In small bowl, mix boiling water and cocoa until dissolved.
• In large bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter with electric mixer on medium speed 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar, beating well. Beat 2 more minutes. Beat in vanilla and egg until blended. On low, alternatively add flour mixture and cocoa mixture, beating just until blended. Divide batter among muffin cups. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling racks. Cool completely.
• Beat frosting with electric mixture on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 30 seconds (Do not overheat.) Fit decorating bag with large star tip. Fill bag with frosting. Pipe frosting in circular top of each cupcake and mounding frosting slightly in center.
• Unroll waxed paper cylinder, causing chocolate to crack creating shards. Garnish each cupcake with chocolate shards. Store in refrigerator.

VEGAN CHOCOLATE GANACHE CUPCAKES WITH SALTED CARAMEL AND DARK CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line standard-size cupcake pans with 16 cupcake liners.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy milk, agave nectar, canola oil, cane sugar, vanilla extract and apple cider vinegar, and set aside. In a large bowl, sift the flour, cocoa powders, baking powder, baking soda and salt and whisk them together. Add your wet mixture to the dry and whisk until the mixture is evenly moist and only a few lumps remain. Set aside.
• For the ganache: Whisk together the chocolate chunks, soy milk and agave nectar in a microwave-safe bowl. Place the bowl into a microwave and heat for 1-minute increments, whisking in-between, until the mixture is thick and smooth.
• Take your cupcake batter and start to stream in about 1 cup of the chocolate ganache and gently fold it into the batter. Do not fully mix it into the batter, it should be swirled in.
• Fill the liners three-quarters full and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool the cupcakes completely.
• For the salted caramel sauce: In a nonstick saucepan, add the coconut milk fat. Add in the brown sugar, vanilla and salt, and whisk well. Bring the mixture to a boil on medium-high heat, whisking occasionally. Once the mixture starts to boil, reduce the heat to a low bowl and cook for 35 to 45 minutes, whisking every couple of minutes, until the sauce has reduced by half. The resulting mixture will be thick and golden. Allow the caramel to cool slightly and use immediately.
• For the buttercream: Whip the shortening and margarine together in a mixer bowl with the paddle attachment until fluffy. Scrape down the bowl and put back onto the mixer on low-speed and slowly add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Once the mixture is fully incorporated, stream in 1 cup of the chocolate ganache. Once the ganache is added, you may turn the mixer to medium-high and whip until the buttercream is very fluffy.
• To assemble: Poke a hole in the center of each cupcake using the end of a wooden spoon or small offset spatula. Fill the hole completely with salted caramel sauce. Using a round frosting tip, generously frost the top of each cupcake with the dark chocolate buttercream. Drizzle the top of each cupcake with more salted caramel sauce.

DARK CHOCOLATE FILLED ANGEL FOOD CUPCAKES

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cupcake pan with paper liners.
• Sift the cake flour, cinnamon, salt and 1/3 cup powdered sugar into a bowl.
• Place the remaining 1/3 cup powdered sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Add the egg whites and cream of tartar and beat on low speed until frothy, about 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium-high and whip until stiff peaks form, 5 to 6 minutes more. Pour in the vanilla and mix for 30 seconds more.
• Spoon the sifted ingredients into the egg mixture and whisk to combine.
• Spoon the batter into the lined cupcake pan, creating a heaping mound of batter in each cup. Bake the cupcakes until lightly golden, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool 10 minutes before removing from the pan, then let cool completely.
• For the dark chocolate filling: Place the heavy whipping cream in a medium mixing bowl and whip until soft peaks are formed, 2 to 3 minutes. Melt the chocolate in a microwave or over a double boiler, then allow the chocolate to cool for 2 minutes. Scrape the chocolate into the whipped cream and whisk to form a thick ganache. Remove 1/2 cup chocolate ganache and place in a small mixing bowl. Add the cayenne pepper to this mixture and whisk it in. Place the regular and the spicy ganache into separate piping bags fitted with medium round tips.
• Use a small knife to make an X on the surface of each cooled cupcake. Pipe the regular ganache into 9 of the cupcakes, pushing the tip of the pastry bag gently into the center of each. Pipe the spicy ganache into 3 of the cupcakes in the same manner.
• For the 15-minute meringue frosting: Place the egg whites and granulated sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, and beat until foamy. Add the vanilla extract and cream of tartar and whip the mixture at medium speed until glossy, about 2 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and slowly pour in 1/2 cup boiling water. Increase the speed to medium-high and whip until stiff peaks form, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Generously top each cupcake with the meringue frosting. Use an offset spatula to create peaks in the mounds of meringue. Top each cupcake with a red cinnamon jelly bean and serve immediately.

CHIPOTLE DARK CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a standard cupcake or muffin pan with 12 cupcake liners.
• In medium bowl, whisk together with an electric mixer or hand whisk the flour mix, granulated sugar, cocoa, baking powder, chipotle powder, cinnamon, salt and xanthan gum until well integrated. Add in the soy milk, oil, espresso, vanilla and vinegar, and mix until smooth.
• Fill the cupcake liners three-quarters-full with batter. Place 1 chunk of chipotle chocolate into the center of each cupcake and bake until baked through, 13 to 15 minutes. Cool the cupcakes completely.
• For the buttercream: Whip the powdered sugar, cocoa, butter spread, soy milk and vanilla with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Put into a pastry bag and cut 1/2-inch off the tip.
• To assemble: Generously frost the top of each cupcake with the chocolate buttercream frosting.

GLUTEN-FREE DARK CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line muffin pans with paper liners.
• Combine gluten-free flour, coconut sugar, dark chocolate chips, cocoa powder, coconut flour, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, and salt in a bowl; mix well to combine.
• Whisk buttermilk, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract together in another large bowl until combined. Add flour mixture; fold in with a spatula until completely blended. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about halfway.
• Bake cupcakes in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool in pans 5 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

DARK CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray 20 muffin cups with cooking spray and dust with flour, or line with paper liners.
• Melt chopped dark chocolate in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl in 15-second intervals, stirring after each melting, 1 to 3 minutes.
• Beat eggs in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy; beat in sugar gradually on high speed. Add cream and beat until batter has doubled in volume. Beat in butter until well combined. Beat in flour and salt on low speed until well combined. Beat in melted chocolate on medium speed until well combined. Stir in chocolate chips and pecans. Pour batter into muffin cups.
• Bake in preheated oven until tops spring back when lightly pressed, 20 to 25 minutes.

DARK CHOCOLATE BACON CUPCAKES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat the sugar, buttermilk, eggs, oil and coffee until well blended. In a small bowl, combine the flour, 3/4 cup cocoa, baking powder, salt and baking soda; gradually beat into sugar mixture until blended. Stir in two-thirds of the bacon., Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 375° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., Frost cupcakes. Sprinkle with remaining bacon; dust with remaining cocoa. Refrigerate leftovers.

DOUBLE DARK CHOCOLATE-COCONUT CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Line 12 mini and 12 regular-size muffin cups with paper baking cups. In large bowl, using whisk, mix flour, granulated sugar, 1/2 cup cocoa, the baking soda and salt. In medium bowl, using whisk, mix soymilk, canola oil, vinegar and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla. Pour wet mixture into dry mixture; beat with whisk until well mixed. Stir in chocolate chips. Fill each mini muffin cup with 1 level measuring tablespoon batter. Divide remaining batter among regular-size muffin cups.
• Bake mini cupcakes 12 to 16 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Bake regular-size cupcakes 22 to 26 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• For frosting, in large bowl, beat margarine, coconut oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 2 teaspoons of the water with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Beat in 3 tablespoons cocoa and the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time. Gradually beat in just enough remaining water until smooth and spreadable.
• To assemble cupcake stacks, remove paper baking cups. Pipe frosting on top of 1 regular-size cupcake. Top with 1 mini cupcake; frost top of mini cupcake. Repeat with remaining cupcakes and frosting. Garnish with chocolate curls and coconut, if desired.

DARK CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH RASPBERRY FILLING

Steps:

• Make the cake mis as directed on the package for cupcakes. Using cupcake foil is easy clean up. bake according to package directions and let cool.
• In a food processor combine the mascarpone cheese, raspberries, 1/4 sugar, and lemon juice. Process the mixture till smooth. Transfer the raspberry mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a small tip. Push the tip gently into the top of the cupcake, and squeeze in the mixture till the cupcake plumps. Continue with all cup cakes.
• In a small saucepan bring 1/2 cup sugar, water, and vanilla extract to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer until the sugar is dissolved. In a medium bowl combine the vanilla syrup with the confectioner's sugar. Stir until smooth. Working quickly, dip the top of the cupcake into the icing, lightly shaking off additional icing, and allow to set.

VEGAN DARK CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line muffin tin(s) with paper liners.
• In medium bowl, pour boiling water over cocoa, and whisk until smooth. Let mixture cool. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream margarine and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the applesauce, then stir in vanilla. Add the flour mixture alternately with the cocoa mixture. Pour mixture into prepared muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full. (If making a cake instead of cupcakes, use 3- 9 inch pans, coated with non-stick spray.).
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes (or 25-30 mins for a cake). Allow to cool.
• Beat the shortening and margarine together until well combined and fluffy. Add the sugar and beat for about 3 more minutes. Add the vanilla and soy milk, and beat for another 5 to 7 minutes until fluffy. Adjust with more soy milk or confectioners' sugar if necessary. Frost cupcakes once they are completely cooled.

DARK CHOCOLATE CHIP-MASCARPONE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 27 regular-size muffin cups.
• In medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder; set aside. In small bowl, mix hot water and cocoa until dissolved; set aside.
• In large bowl, beat shortening with electric mixer on medium speed 30 seconds. Gradually add granulated sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping bowl occasionally. Beat 2 minutes longer. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla and 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese. Stir in chocolate chips. On low speed, alternately add flour mixture, about one-third at a time, and cocoa mixture, about half at a time, beating just until blended.
• Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each with about 3 tablespoons batter or until about two-thirds full.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pans; place on cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In another large bowl, beat cream cheese and 1/4 cup mascarpone cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Beat in powdered sugar and wine. In medium bowl, beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Spread topping on cupcakes, using about 2 heaping tablespoons on each. Sprinkle with grated chocolate.

DARK-CHOCOLATE MINT CUPCAKES WITH WHITE-CHOCOLATE MINT FROSTING

Steps:

• For cupcakes:
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter two 12-cup mini-muffin pans. Using on/off turns, blend first 4 ingredients in processor until walnuts are finely chopped. Whisk flour and baking powder in small bowl. Stir chocolate and butter in heavy small saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth. Cool slightly.
• Using electric mixer, beat sugar, eggs, and vanilla in large bowl until very thick, about 4 minutes. Gradually beat in cooled chocolate mixture. Stir in walnut mixture. Spoon 1 1/2 tablespoons batter into each prepared muffin cup.
• Bake cupcakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Cool in pan on rack. Cut around cupcakes to loosen; turn out onto work surface. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; store at room temperature.)
• For frosting:
• Bring cream and butter to simmer in heavy small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until butter melts. Remove from heat. Add white chocolate; stir until melted. Mix in crème de menthe. Transfer frosting to bowl; let frosting cool at room temperature until firm enough to pipe, stirring occasionally, about 2 hours.
• Spoon frosting into pastry bag fitted with medium star tip. Pipe frosting decoratively atop cupcakes.

GHIRARDELLI® DARK CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 12 cupcake molds or muffin tins with paper liners or spray with nonstick spray.
• To make the cupcakes, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, brown sugar, and white sugar. Whisk in the milk, coffee, and melted butter. Whisk in the dry ingredients. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake molds, filling them about three-quarters full.
• Bake for 15 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the middle of the cupcakes comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes. Using a small spatula or knife, remove the cupcakes from the pan. Continue to cool on a wire rack to room temperature.
• To make the frosting, melt the chopped chocolate in the top of a double boiler, or in a heatproof bowl, over barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Heat the cream until hot. Remove from the heat and whisk in the chocolate. Transfer to a bowl and cool to just warm. Whisk in the butter until smooth. Let sit until it reaches a spreading consistency, about 1 hour. Spread the frosting on top of the cupcakes. Sprinkle them with chocolate chips.

DARK CHOCOLATE CINNAMON CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard-sized muffin pan with baking-cup liners.
• Combine butter, chocolate, and cocoa in medium heatproof bowl. Set bowl over saucepan containing barely simmering water; heat mixture until butter and chocolate are melted and whisk until smooth and combined. Set aside to cool until just warm to the touch.
• Whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and baking powder in small bowl to combine.
• Whisk eggs in second medium bowl to combine; add sugar, vanilla, and salt and whisk until fully incorporated. Add cooled chocolate mixture and whisk until combined. Sift about one-third of flour mixture over chocolate mixture and whisk until combined; whisk in sour cream until combined, then sift remaining flour mixture over and whisk until batter is thick.
• Divide batter evenly among muffin pan cups. Bake until skewer inserted into center of cupcakes comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes.
• When the cupcakes have cooled, mix together a half teaspoon of cinnamon with 3 tablespoons powdered sugar. Sift a light coating of the mixture on top of the cupcakes.

GLAZED DARK CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 12 regular-size muffin cups.
• In small bowl, add 1 1/2 oz chocolate, 6 tablespoons cocoa and the espresso powder; set aside. In small microwavable measuring cup, microwave 1/2 cup milk uncovered on High (100%) 30 seconds or until steaming but not boiling. Pour over chocolate mixture; stir. Cover; let stand 5 minutes. Stir until smooth.
• Meanwhile, in medium bowl, stir flour, baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon salt; set aside. In large bowl, beat egg product with electric mixer on medium speed 30 seconds. Gradually add sugars, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat 2 minutes longer. Beat in oil and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Beat about one-third of the flour mixture and about one-half of the chocolate mixture at a time alternately into sugar mixture on low speed until blended.
• Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until tops spring back when touched lightly in center. Cool 5 minutes; remove from muffin cups to cooling rack. Cool completely before glazing.
• In small bowl or microwavable custard cup, heat 2 teaspoons milk uncovered on High (100%) about 10 seconds or until hot. Stir in 1 tablespoon cocoa until smooth; set aside.
• In separate small bowl, stir cream cheese until smooth. Stir in cocoa mixture until blended. Stir in powdered sugar. Stir in vanilla and salt until mixture is smooth and shiny.
• Spoon about 1 teaspoon glaze over each cupcake; spread to edge with back of spoon. Sprinkle about 1/4 teaspoon grated chocolate over each glazed cupcake.

DARK CHOCOLATE BACON CUPCAKES

Steps:

• 1. PREHEAT OVEN TO 375F.
• 2. PLACE BACON ON A BAKING SHEET AND COOK IN OVEN TILL CRISP. REMOVE AND DRAIN ON PAPER TOWELS
• 3. IN A LARGE BOWL, STIR TOGETHER FLOUR, 3/4 CUP COCOA POWDER AND SALT. MAKE A WELL IN THE CENTER AND POUR IN EGGS, COFFEE, BUTTERMILK AND OIL. STIR UNTIL JUST BLENDED. MIX IN 3/4 CUP OF CRUMBLED BACON, RESERVING REST FOR GARNISH. SPOON THE BATTER INTO THE PREPARED PAPER CUP LINERS, DIVIDING EVENLY.
• 4. BAKE FOR 20-25 MINUTES OR UNTIL CAKE SPRINGS BACK. COOL IN PAN AND THEN WIRE RACK. FROST WITH YOUR FAVORITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING AND GARNISH WITH A PIECE OF BACON.

DEEP DARK CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
• Add the remaining ingredients except the boiling wter. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.
• Mix in boiling water, the batter will be thin, don't worry
• Pour into greased cupcake pans and bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

MOIST DARK CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. chop baking chocolate and add it to the hot espresso to let it melt, stir to help dissolve. (I do this in a small pot on the stove over low heat) Meanwhile, Into a large bowl sift together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In seprate large bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat eggs for about 3-5 minutes. Stir the chocolate mixture until all the chocolate is melted and combined. Cut butter and add to chocolate espresso mixture continue to stir to melt slowly. When done proceed to Slowly add the oil, vanilla, buttermilk and chocolate mixture to the eggs, beating until combined well. Add dry mixture to wet in small 1/4 batches then beat until incorporated repeat until all of the dry ingredients are blended together well. scrape down sides, and blend until mixture is smooth (lump free). Prepare cupcake tins with liners. I ladle my mix into the tins, but you can also pour it in just make sure that you fill them only about 2/3. Bake for about 26-32 minutes. I checked mine with the tooth-pick test at 26 minutes, but the tooth pick came out with batter, so I left them in for 4 more minutes and they came out perfect. let cool on wire cooling rack and frost when cool. check out my Hazelnut Cream Frosting for a great complimentary frosting recipe!