Indulge yourself with this recipe for Devil’s Food Cupcakes with Dark Chocolate Frosting. It’s a heavenly moist and fudgy chocolate cake topped beautifully with dark chocolate, cream cheese frosting.
Don’t you just love a good cupcake? There’s just something about a cupcake that just fills me with a nostalgic excitement.
And when a cupcake is pretty – it just screams ‘Taste Me, you won’t be disappointed’ and I promise you these little beauties will taste as good as they look.
The best part of these cupcakes is the deep chocolate taste with just the right amount of sweetness.
These decadent cupcakes are perfectly chocolaty with a soft and moist crumb and that dark chocolate, cream cheese frosting – try not to eat it by the spoonful before you top the cupcakes!
Why This Recipe Works
- Using Dark Chocolate instead of milk chocolate deepens the flavor of the frosting.
- Using extra cocoa powder instead of sugar thickens the frosting without the added sweetness.
- Adding coffee to the batter enhances the deep chocolate taste of the cake.
How to Make The Perfect Cupcake
Use Room Temperature Ingredients
When you use eggs or milk straight out of the refrigerator, they won’t combine as well with the dry ingredients that are at room temperature. Poorly combined ingredients can also cause cupcakes to be too dense rather than fluffy and light.
Don’t Over Mix
Over mixing the batter will result in a cupcake that’s denser, with a tighter grain (almost bread like). So be careful not to over beat the batter.
To ensure proper mixing, beat cake batter on low until ingredients have just combined or when in doubt, use a wooden spoon once the butter and sugar are creamed.
How Far To Fill The Cupcake Papers
There is much debate on how much to fill a cupcake liner. Many recipes will say to fill them 3/4 of the way full, but not all ovens are created equally and cake rises different depending on the oven.
I fill mine almost to the top and use an ice cream scoop to fill the papers with batter. This ensures the cake fills the paper and a uniform size across the entire batch.
Keep That Door Closed!
Avoid opening the oven door during baking. Opening the door lets heat escape and lets in cold air causing uneven baking, especially with cupcakes. If you want to check on them as they bake, just peak through the oven window.
You should also Bake cupcakes on the center rack in the middle of the oven for the most even bake.
How to Tell When A Cupcake Is Done
There are several ways to tell if a cupcake is ready to come out of the oven, but it’s not always easy to judge. I’m here to make things a little clearer.
Test your cupcakes by gently tapping the top. If they it feels springy and bounces back, you know they’re done.
If the cupcakes jiggle in any way, it means they need more time in the oven.
If you’re new to baking and want to double check, you can also use a cake tester by sticking it into the center of the cupcake. If it comes out clean, your cupcakes are done.
Cool Out Of the Pan
Remove the cupcakes from the pan to cool. Once your cupcakes are out of the oven, transfer them to a wire rack to cool out of the pan. Keeping them in the pan will allow them to continue baking and may could dry them out out.
These are some of the most amazing cupcakes (or cakes) I’ve ever made! They are light, moist, and oh so irresistible!
I know I do a lot of chocolate cake recipes, but this is one of my new favorites!
Here’s how to make them:
Add cocoa powder, instant coffee and brown brown sugar to a mixing bowl.
Add hot water.
Mix until smooth and set aside.
Next, in a separate bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together and set aside.
Cream the butter and sugar together, beating well until pale and fluffy.
Add the vanilla extract and the eggs.
Mix well and add half the flour mixture.
Followed by the cocoa mixture. (alternating until fully combined).
Divide evenly into a cupcake pan (I use an ice cream scoop).
Bake 20-25 minutes and cool completely before frosting.
To prepare the frosting, start with softened butter, cream cheese and melted chocolate.
Mix well to combine.
Add vanilla, salt, dark cocoa powder and mix until smooth before adding the black food coloring.
Mix until combined and the desired color is achieved (be aware that the color will deepen more as it sits).
To make the rose shaped frosting is super easy too! I used a large Wilton 2D Tip (pictured below) which you can get here, on Amazon.com.
I just swirled them from the middle out (see the video for how it’s done). Nothing really fancy. If you want to practice, you can just scrape it off and do it again until you get it the way you want.
Top Tips:
- Be careful not to over beat the batter. To ensure proper mixing, beat cake batter on low until ingredients have just combined. Over mixing the batter will result in a cupcake that’s denser, with a tighter grain (almost bread like).
- Always bake with ingredients that are at room temperature. When you use eggs or milk straight out of the refrigerator, they won’t combine as well with the dry ingredients that are at room temperature. Poorly combined ingredients can also cause a cake to be too dense rather than fluffy and light.
- Avoid opening the oven door. Opening the door lets heat escape and lets in cold air causing uneven baking, especially with cupcakes. If you want to check on them as they bake, just peak through the oven window.
- Bake cupcakes on the center rack in the middle of the oven for the most even bake.
- Remove the cupcakes from the pan to cool. Once your cupcakes are out of the oven, transfer them to a wire rack to cool out of the pan. Keeping them in the pan will allow them to continue baking and may could dry them out out.
What Chocolate?
- To avoid icing that’s too sweet, use dark chocolate that is between 54- 66% cocoa or in the US, Bittersweet chocolate chips work well.
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Devil's Food Cupcakes with Dark Chocolate Frosting
These deep chocolate cupcakes with a dark chocolate, cream cheese topping are light yet wonderfully chocolaty.
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 stick softened butter plus some for greasing
- ¾ cup sugar superfine or granulated
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 eggs at room temperature
For the frosting:
- ½ cup butter softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese softned
- 4 ounces Dark chocolate melted (see recipe notes)
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt optional (to cut sweetness)
- ½ cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder sifted
- 1½ cups powdered sugar sifted
- Black gel food coloring optional (as needed)
Instructions
For the cupcakes:
-
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F/180 C.
-
In a mixing bowl whisk together the coco powder, instant coffee, brown sugar and hot water. Set aside.
-
In a separate bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together and set aside.
-
Cream the butter and sugar together, beating well until pale and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract.
-
Add eggs, one at a time with a cup of the flour mixture in between eggs. Mix in the halt the flour mixture followed by half the cocoa mixture followed by the cocoa mixture (alternating until fully combined).
-
Divide the batter evenly into 12 cupcakes and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean.
-
Cool completely before frosting.
For the frosting:
-
In a large bowl, beat the melted chocolate with the softened butter and cream cheese.
-
Add the cocoa, vanilla extract, salt and ½ cup of the powdered sugar adding another ½ cup of the sugar until smooth and desired consistency. If using, add the black food coloring a little at a time (mixing in between) until the color deepens to your liking.
-
Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.
Recipe Notes
What chocolate? Use dark chocolate that is between 54-66% cocoa solids. In the US, bittersweet chocolate works well. Chocolate higher in cocoa percentage would probably be too bitter. I would also avoid milk chocolate unless you have a real sweet tooth.
This recipe makes 12 large cupcakes.
Tips:
- Be careful not to over beat the batter. To ensure proper mixing, beat cake batter on low until ingredients have just combined. Over mixing the batter will result in a cupcake that's denser, with a tighter grain (almost bread like).
- Always bake with ingredients that are at room temperature. When you use eggs or milk straight out of the refrigerator, they won't combine as well with the dry ingredients that are at room temperature. Poorly combined ingredients can also cause a cake to be too dense rather than fluffy and light.
- Avoid opening the oven door. Opening the door lets heat escape and lets in cold air causing uneven baking, especially with cupcakes. If you want to check on them as they bake, just peak through the oven window.
- Bake cupcakes on the center rack in the middle of the oven for the most even bake.
- Remove the cupcakes from the pan to cool. Once your cupcakes are out of the oven, transfer them to a wire rack to cool out of the pan. Keeping them in the pan will allow them to continue baking and may could dry them out out.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in Jan of 2017, but was republished with an updated recipe, new photos, step by step instructions & photos, baking tips, and a video in September of 2018.
Garlic + Zest says
These are the most indulgent cupcakes I’ve seen in a long time! Wow!
Erren says
Thank you, Lisa!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
These are beautiful! I LOVE chocolate and all of that frosting! Yes please!
Erren says
Thanks so much Emily!
Molly Kumar says
These cupcakes looks so pretty and those rosettes look perfect. We love both devil’s food cake and dark chocolate, so this would be such a treat to make.
Jovita @ Yummy Addiction says
These cupcakes look out-of-this-world good! I can see myself stuffing a few of these into my face with a big cup of coffee. Yum!
Julie says
Looks absolutely delicious. Beautiful shot too.
Erren says
Thank you, Julie! 🙂
The Little Epicurean says
Chocolate on chocolate! This recipe will def come in handy for Valentine’s Day!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Oooh, that looks so rich and decadent – I want two of them right now!
Cathy | Lemon Tree Dwelling says
These could not look more divine! LOVE the double chocolate!
fearlessdining says
I love that fudgey looking chocolate frosting!
Shannon Graham says
Dark chocolate is my favorite by far when it comes to dessert. It’s healthier for you too! These are the perfect dessert!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
These look absolutely heavenly – I bet they disappear instantly!
Erren says
Hi Melanie, thank you and they were gone in a day! ?
eat good 4 life says
These look magnificent. I haven’t done cupcakes in for ever. I shall soon!
Sachiko Doreste says
Can I substitute regular sugar for superfine sugar?
Erren says
Yes, that would work fine.
Carlitha says
Hi I want to make an 1\2 sheet cake with this recipe instead of cupcakes is that possible?
Katherine says
Hi! These look fab, but I was wondering how well the frosting holds up? It looks pretty sturdy, and I know cream cheese frostings can hold up fine but I’ve never tried it with melting the butter and chocolate. Thanks!
Carolyn says
Only made the frosting but it was enough for an 8″ layer cake plus about 1 cup left over.
Very good frosting. I added about 1/3 tsp of salt, however. I find the taste of icing sugar too cloying without it.
Erren says
Thanks for the feedback. Glad to hear you liked the frosting! 😀
Melissa Bruno says
These look AMAZING! I don’t have instant coffee on hand. Do you think I could substitute regular brewed coffee in place of the water and instant granules?
Erren says
Absolutely!
adel says
can i do this in a layered cake? What size should the tins be?
Erren says
Yes, 8 inch will work fine.
Ivonne says
Hi, I’m not from USA, I’m from Chile and I want to make the receipt. 1 stick of softener butter, how much is in gr? And about the coffee how to add it? I mean I just have instant coffee….to the cup of hot water I add 1 tablespoon or teaspoon of the coffee I have?
Thank you for your help
Erren says
Hi, Ivonne.1stick is 113g and add the instant coffee to the hot water and it’s a teaspoon.
Allison says
I’m using this to make a 9in cake. I assume this recipe for 12 cupcakes is equivalent to one layer?
Erren says
Yes, that’s right Allison. I do have a Devil’s Food layer cake recipe though. https://www.errenskitchen.com/devils-food-cake/
Matilda says
Hi..
What happens if I use dark brown sugar instead of light?
Erren says
Hi Matilda, it would be less sweet if you used dark brown sugar. If you used it, I would increase the white sugar by a quarter cup.
Deborah Cole says
instead of using powdered sugar, can I add whipped cream instead, don’t really like the sweeteness with the sugar.
Thuri says
These are pretty much the best chocolate cupcakes I have ever tasted. Wow. Thank you so much for sharing the recepie with us. Perfect combination of flavors and texture
Erren says
Wow Thuri, what a great comment! I’m so glad you liked it so much! 😀
Deeksha says
I have a question. What would happen if I substituted the water for milk?
The cupcake look great !!
Presley says
Love this recipe, and I can’t wait to make it! Would a peanut butter filling work on the inside of these cupcakes? If so, what would go into that? Let me know! Thanks!
Nancy says
Question. (Dark chocolate frosting)
I noticed the frosting in the bowl was not as dark as the frosting on the cup cakes. I have tried many times to get it that dark. Mine comes out light brown every time. How do I get that dark chocolate looking frosting?
Erren says
Hi Nancy, Sorry for the late reply. Your comment made me go back and test different methods. I tried it with regular cocoa powder to help others that may not have access to my dark powder. I used black gel food coloring and it worked great!
MEGAN says
hi! for the butter used in the cake mix do i use salted or unsalted? wanna try making it!!
Erren says
Hi Megan, so sorry for the late reply. I use slightly salted butter, but it’s a personal choice.