Favorite Chocolate Cupcakes ♥

This recipe has become my go-to, signature cupcake recipe and a favorite when I need a quick dessert!  It's easy, foolproof and delivers delicious results.

I had an excuse to make them this past weekend when we were invited to watch our two oldest grandsons play 1st grade and 3rd grade basketball and have dinner afterward with the whole family at their home.  So much fun to watch them ♥

I know they love these cupcakes as I've made them for my boys several times before, but usually topped with a chocolate ganache frosting.  This time, I decided to try my friend, Debbie, from Mountain Breaths' Magnolia Bakery Buttercream Frosting and it was delicious!  When I asked my grandsons how they liked the new frosting, they both put up their thumbs as they couldn't speak while devouring their cupcake.  Two thumbs up!  I tinted the buttercream pink for Valentine's Day and found some Valentine's Day sprinkles.  They love jimmies and sprinkles on their cupcakes :)

My daughter and I still love the chocolate ganache so made 6 of each.

Happy Valentine's Day!

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Favorite Chocolate Cupcakes

Printable Recipe

Makes 12

Notes: Make sure your baking soda is fresh. I like to replace mine every six months.

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
1 cup minus 1 tablespoon of AP flour
1 tablespoon of cornstarch added to above flour
1 scant cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder  (I use Ghirardelli) 
3/4 teaspoon baking soda (1/2 + 1/4 tsp)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/4 cup buttermilk (real buttermilk give the best results but you can make your own buttermilk substitute by stirring in 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar to 1/4 cup regular milk and allow it to sit for 10 minutes, stir before adding) 
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper or foil cupcake liners.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the vegetable oil and water over low heat and remove from heat as soon as the butter is melted.

In a large bowl, sift the flour, cornstarch, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt together. Stir until blended. Add the melted butter mixture and beat with a handheld mixer at low speed until smooth. Add the egg and beat and then add the buttermilk and vanilla. Beat until smooth for about one minute, scraping the bowl. Pour the batter into the lined muffin tins, filling them about three-fourths full.

Bake the cupcakes in the center of the oven for about 22-25 minutes, until springy and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool slightly, then transfer them to a rack to cool completely. Unfrosted cupcakes can be wrapped in plastic and stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 1 month.

Magnolia Bakery Buttercream Frosting

Adapted from Mountain Breaths

Note: This recipe can be cut in half. I used heavy cream rather than milk as I had some on hand.

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
6 to 8 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add 4 cups of the sugar and then the milk and vanilla. On the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition (about 2 minutes), until the icing is thick enough to be of good spreading consistency. You may not need to add all of the sugar. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly. (Use and store the icing at room temperature because icing will set if chilled.) Icing can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Chocolate Ganache Frosting 

This recipe can be cut in half.

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped. I used Ghirardelli 60% Bittersweet baking bar
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup (I only use 1 teaspoon)
1/8 teaspoon salt

Put the chopped chocolate into a heatproof bowl, such as a 4-cup Pyrex measuring bowl. In a small saucepan, heat the cream, butter, corn syrup and salt until hot but not boiling. Pour the hot mixture over the chocolate and leave alone for 1-2 minutes. Then start stirinbg , and then stir until smooth and dark with no remaining traces of cream (start stirring in circles in the center and then work outward).

Let the frosting cool, stirring occasionally, until thick enough for dipping and glazing the cupcakes, about 30 minutes. For a frosting firm enough to spread, place in refrigerator and stir every 5 minutes until it’s firm enough to use as frosting. If it becomes too stiff just bring it back to room temperature. The frosting can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Return to room temperature before using.

Adapted from Food and Wine