Fresh and Happy Post: Classic Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

Recipe for Cupcakes

There is just something about cupcakes that make a party special! For my daughter’s 7th birthday we were planning a big carnival party and needed something simple & easy. We were serving about 80 people, so cutting cake slices for that size of crowd was out.

Recipe for Cupcakes

I have always had a thing for my mom’s traditional chocolate cupcake recipe. She has used this recipe ever since I can remember. They are so easy to whip up, and taste great! I spent some time perfecting the recipe to suit my tastes by amping up the richness of the chocolate flavor and adding a hint of espresso. They are so good, and pretty much the easiest cupcakes ever!

 Yummy Homemade cupcake recipe

Lucky you, I am going to share this cherished recipe, because one can never have too many good cupcake recipes can they?

What you’ll need for the chocolate cupcake

1/2 cup butter (softened)
2 large eggs
6 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 cup milk
1 1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon instant espresso
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup hot water
2 teaspoons baking soda

Makes 24 cupcakes

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a cupcake pan with your choice of decorative cupcake liners. In a small mixing bowl, mix together the hot water and baking soda and set aside. In another mixing bowl mix together all the other ingredients. Mix the batter together until it’s smooth. Once smooth, mix in the hot water and baking soda mixture. Next, fill each baking cup about 2/3 full of batter. Bake for 12 minutes. Remove the cupcakes and allow them to cool before frosting them.

What you’ll need for the buttercream frosting

1 1/2 pounds butter (softened)

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract (or lemon)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk (add more to thin out frosting)

8-10 cups confectioners sugar (add more to thicken frosting)

Will frost 24 cupcakes

Using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, whip together the butter, vanilla, almond (or lemon) extract, and salt until the frosting becomes light and fluffy. Add 6 cups of the confectioners sugar and mix well. Add the milk and mix well. Use the extra confectioners sugar to obtain the consistency you desire. Place the frosting into a piping bag and frosting the cupcakes with the frosting tip of your choice. Enjoy!

I am also sharing a FREE Carnival Party Invitation Printable & a FREE Carnival Party Cupcake Flag Printable on my blog today! Be sure to swing by and check it out. They are hand doodled and watercolored. We just loved how they turned out and couldn’t keep them all to ourselves!

Printable Cupcake Toppers

Thanks for partying with me today friends! Be sure to check out my blog, Fresh & Happy for more party fun and fresh recipes! 

Mom's Classic Chocolate Cupcakes

Serving Size: 24 Cupcakes

Mom's Classic Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter (softened)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 6 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon instant espresso
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Line a cupcake pan with your choice of decorative cupcake liners
  3. In a small mixing bowl, mix together the hot water and baking soda and set aside.
  4. In another mixing bowl mix together all the other ingredients.
  5. Mix the batter together until it's smooth.
  6. Once smooth, mix in the hot water and baking soda mixture.
  7. Next, fill each baking cup about 2/3 full of batter.
  8. Bake for 12 minutes.
  9. Remove the cupcakes and allow them to cool before frosting them.

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6 Comments

  • Reply
    Brittanie @Simplistically Living
    May 14, 2015 at 9:34 am

    These look and sound yummy. I also love the printable tags. Thanks so much for sharing your personal family recipe. Cannot wait to give these a try!

  • Reply
    Pam @ Over the Big Moon
    May 14, 2015 at 10:18 am

    This recipes looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it! Also, those cupcake toppers are TO DIE FOR cute! Can’t wait to use them! Thanks!

  • Reply
    Annette
    May 14, 2015 at 10:19 am

    I love those cupcake toppers! And the buttercream frosting sounds and looks so yummy!

  • Reply
    Jane
    May 14, 2015 at 12:29 pm

    The recipe looks delicious! I can’t wait to try it — we have a few birthdays coming up that this recipe would be perfect for!

  • Reply
    Heather Cook
    May 15, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    Laura,
    Your cupcakes look and taste divine. Thank you for the inspiration!!

  • Reply
    DT
    May 20, 2015 at 12:21 am

    These cupcakes look amazing! The hand doodling art is very impressive.

  • Leave a Reply