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!
Emma
Let me just say this is soooooo amazing super quick and easy… moist to perfection and i love the little rise it has when it’s done thank so much for the super easy batch recipe
Celebrating Sweets
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
Teena James
Can I use cake flour instead of all purpose flour ? Will the measurement change for the flour ?
Celebrating Sweets
I haven’t tried it, but it should be ok. The measurements would be the same. Enjoy!
Sal
Hi
Can i just double the ingredients to make 12 cupcakes?
Also can i use butter instead of oil?
Thanks for this super easy recipe.. ?
Celebrating Sweets
I haven’t doubled it before, but I would guess that it should work just fine.
You should be able to use melted butter in place of the oil. I think that the oil makes for a really moist cupcake, so just be aware that the texture might be a bit different. Enjoy! -Allison
Sal
Thanks and can i make the batter in advance for my kids? Like a day or a couple of days before? Or just store the leftover batter for next time?
Celebrating Sweets
I would recommend assembling the batter and baking right away. The leavening could be affected if it sits for too long.
Aarabhi
This is absolutely fabulous!! Thank you ?
Celebrating Sweets
You’re welcome! Enjoy!
Sal
Thankss!!
Lindsey
These turned out delicious!
Celebrating Sweets
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed them!
Cait
I found these too sweet. I think the addition of salt in both the batter and the frosting would help, along with reducing the amount of sugar in both.
Jenn
Thank you for this recipe! My 5 year old daughter is obsessed with baking, this was the perfect amount to make. And they were easy to whip together, and tasted delicious!
Celebrating Sweets
I’m glad you enjoyed them. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Angelina
Absolutely fabulous! My kids and I loved them!
Celebrating Sweets
I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
BBnVA
This is the first time I’ve been disappointed in one of these recipes. Sweets require enough salt. A “pinch” is not enough here. A more specific measure would be better in going to try them again, but will definitely increase the salt.
Celebrating Sweets
Thanks for your feedback. I went ahead and added an exact measurement.
Jane
I used salted butter in the recipe and find it was PERFECT!
Celebrating Sweets
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Alyssa
These were simple and turned out great . The frosting was delicious as is but was also a great base to add additional flavors. I was in the mood for a cookies and cream frosting so I added some crushed up Oreos to it and we all loved them. Thanks for sharing the perfect small batch recipe.
Celebrating Sweets
I’m glad you enjoyed them. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂