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Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe

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  • Author: Villerius
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cupcakes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Delight in these moist and flavorful Snowflake Cupcakes, featuring rich chocolate cupcakes topped with a smooth and creamy vanilla buttercream frosting. Perfect for any celebration or a comforting treat, these cupcakes combine a tender cocoa-infused cake with a classic, sweet vanilla frosting.


Ingredients

Scale

Cupcakes

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup water

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

  • 1 cup vegetable shortening
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (approximately 1 lb.)
  • 4 tablespoons water or milk


Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line cupcake pans with paper liners to prepare for baking.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together until well blended.
  3. Add wet ingredients: Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract into the dry mixture. Using a mixer or whisk, mix until the batter is smooth and cohesive.
  4. Incorporate water: Gradually add the 1 cup of water to the batter, mixing slowly to combine without splashing. The batter will be thin—that’s expected for a moist cupcake.
  5. Fill cupcake liners: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
  6. Bake: Place the cupcake pans in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool cupcakes: Remove cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  8. Prepare the frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the vegetable shortening until fluffy. Add vanilla extract, then gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with water or milk, beating continuously until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
  9. Frost the cupcakes: Once cupcakes are completely cool, use a spatula or piping bag to generously frost each cupcake with the vanilla buttercream.
  10. Decorate and serve: Optionally, decorate with snowflake-themed sprinkles or edible decorations to enhance the festive look. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • This recipe yields moist and rich chocolate cupcakes with a classic vanilla buttercream frosting.
  • The cake recipe is adapted from IAMBAKER.NET, known for reliable and delicious baked goods.
  • The icing recipe is adapted from Wilton, a trusted source for decorator-approved frostings.
  • Use room temperature ingredients for best mixing results.
  • For extra moistness, avoid overbaking the cupcakes.
  • These cupcakes freeze well both before and after frosting; thaw at room temperature before serving.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cupcake with frosting
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 30g
  • Sodium: 230mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg