This is the perfect recipe for a small batch of 6 soft and fluffy chocolate cupcakes. The cupcakes are quick and easy (made in one bowl) and topped with vanilla buttercream frosting.
We love small batch recipes! These cupcakes join our Small Batch Brownies and Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies. Prefer a vanilla cupcake? Try our Small Batch Vanilla Cupcakes.
These cupcakes are
Quick and easy: The batter comes together in one bowl, in minutes!
Soft and fluffy: These cupcakes have a beautiful dome and a fluffy texture.
Flavorful: The chocolate flavor is enhanced with a bit of coffee (more on this below) and rounded out with smooth vanilla frosting.
Perfect for small celebrations: Celebrating with just a few people? This recipe is a great option that won’t leave you with a bunch of leftovers.
Recipe overview
*Full recipe below in recipe card*
Make the cupcakes:
- Combine dry ingredients.
- Add egg, oil, milk, and vanilla.
- Add hot coffee.
Divide the batter between six lined muffin cups.
Bake for 15-18 minutes, until the cupcakes have puffed up and a toothpick inserted into the cupcakes comes out clean.
Make the vanilla buttercream frosting:
Combine butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk.
Assemble:
Pipe or spread the frosting onto each cupcake. Topped with sprinkles or chocolate shavings.
Special ingredient: hot coffee
Maybe you’ve seen espresso powder or instant coffee added to cookies or brownies to enhance the flavor? We’re using the same technique here. Adding coffee (instead of water) helps intensify the chocolate flavor in these cupcakes. And using hot coffee helps to draw out even more rich flavor from the cocoa powder.
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Recipe
Small Batch Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 3 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup hot coffee, see note
Vanilla frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted if lumpy
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk, half and half, or cream, plus more, if needed
Instructions
Cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 6 muffin cups or place 6 liners in a muffin pan. Set aside.
- With a stand mixer or hand mixer, combine sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add egg, milk, oil, and vanilla extract and beat until well combined, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary. Add hot coffee and beat until just combined. Batter will be thin.
- Divide evenly between 6 prepared muffin cups. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until the tops spring back when you touch them, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frosting:
- Beat butter and powdered sugar for several minutes, until smooth. Add vanilla extract and milk, and beat for several more minutes, until light and fluffy. If the frosting seems a little too thick, beat in a splash of milk. If it seems too thin, add another tablespoon of powdered sugar.
- Frost the cooled cupcakes using a decorating tip or a butter knife. Garnish with sprinkles or chocolate shavings, if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
Brandy
These were insanely good. My husband said they were possibly the best cupcakes he’s ever had. No lie!
I used a cream cheese icing that I made the day before for something else.
Seriously…amazing.
Allison
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Kristin
Hello!
Can’t wait to try this recipe-did you use a jumbo muffin pan for this recipe?
Allison
No, a regular muffin pan. Enjoy!
Susan White
Excellent recipe! I made mini cupcakes and baked for 10 minutes.
Allison
Perfect! I’m glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
Alicia
I want to try these, so can I use espresso powder in place of the coffee?
Allison
You can try 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder mixed into 1/4 cup hot water to to replace the coffee.
Spencer
These might just be the best cupcakes I’ve made. I doubled the batch and it turned out fine – the only tweak I made was adding a drop of mayo (for moisture!) The coffee taste is a liiiiiiittle noticeable (Might just be the way you brew the coffee. Next time I might try instant hot cocoa) but everyone in the family loves coffee anyway, haha. Love them!
Spencer
Great cupcakes!!!!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed them! 🙂
SOPHIA
Loved this easy recipe. Delicious 😋
Angie L
I always read reviews before trying a new recipe, and many times come away disappointed and thinking people just don’t know what “good” food is. But I took a gamble on this, because of the rave reviews.
I am NOT disappointed. In fact, I’m fairly amazed that these are, indeed, some of the best cupcakes I’ve ever made. They remind me of the very moist chocolate mayonnaise cakes my mom baked when I was a kid, minus the mayonnaise. SO GOOD.
Thanks for this recipe. I wish I could post a picture – they turned out beautifully with a good helping of cream cheese frosting on top.
Allison
Thanks for the kind review, Angie! Happy baking!
Spencer
Let me just say, these are THE BEST CUPCAKES I have ever made!! I made these for the fam not too long ago.. soo moist and decadent, perfect with cream cheese frosting! I will be making these tomorrow because tomorrow’s the last day I can use flour before passover starts, then no cupcakes for me… 🙁 either way, amazing recipe! A little secret: I add a heaping tablespoon of mayo for moisture. Trust me on this, y’all. The coffee works wonders for the flavour, too!
Shweta
I was looking for a cupcake recipe to send to my son’s daycare for his second birthday next week. Nothing too sweet but still yummy. These cupcakes turned out so light and delicious. My toddler enjoyed them. Definitely a hit! Thank you! 🙂
Allison
I’m glad that worked out. Happy birthday to your little guy. 🙂
Caroline
These cupcakes are delicious even without frosting!! I doubled the recipe and got 12 regular size and 12 minis.
Allison
Perfect! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Lauren Caplan
This was the best cupcake recipe I’ve ever baked. My cupcakes turned delicious!
Allison
Yay! I’m so glad. 🙂
Sonal
Tried making it today.. absolutely loved it!! Thank you
Allison
I’m so glad! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂