So my kids had a cupcake urge late yesterday afternoon. My daughter dragged out from the baking supply cabinet these adorable Oh, la la cupcake liners with the French poodles to decorate on top. She found some background papers I bought a couple years back when I used to try to make my photos look cute and trendy with some pops of color. She took some photos for me (the ones that are below). I felt bad for her as it was getting darker and I don’t have any fancy lighting. I rely on Florida’s glorious natural light.
This morning I had plenty of just that: glorious natural light! I dusted some confectioner’s sugar on a few and snapped some shots for you to see that these cupcakes are even quite perfect without any glaze or frosting. I prefer things on the less sweet side.
Are you craving chocolate…today??? Go ahead, check your cabinets. You probably have all the ingredients to make these cupcakes. I used dark chocolate chips and a little bit of dark cocoa powder (hence, the very dark color). You don’t have to use fancy French polka dotted liners like we did. Any liner will do just fine! The best part of this recipe? You can mix the ingredients together all in one bowl. The perfect recipe to do with your kids!!
This is a recipe I’ve used for years from Martha Stewart. You can use the chocolate frosting recipe I shared here. Or this fluffy white icing (marshmallow frosting).
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
icing
- 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 1-3 Tablespoons milk
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
February 10, 2014 at 12:24 pmDouble chocolate cupcakes sound like heaven to me!
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says
February 10, 2014 at 11:42 pmYes, February is all about chocolate, and these cupcakes are that!!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
February 12, 2014 at 6:54 pmWho are these people who don't like chocolate w/ mint/coffee/caramel?! Crazy talk! I'll take my chocolate with any of those flavours but especially doubt chocolate, like these perfect cupcakes! They look so incredibly moist and light, Lora. Your cupcake liners and the French poodle are adorable. These are gorgeous photos and I'm loving that natural Florida light!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
February 20, 2014 at 10:51 amWHAT? Who ever said not to mix caramel with chocolate was a crazy pants! haha I love these with the powered sugar and with the glaze! Ps. Those poodles are ADORABLE!
Susan says
February 20, 2014 at 11:35 amI love those little poodle toppers! Absolutely adorable! While I don't drink coffee, I generally add just a touch of instant espresso to my chocolate desserts. You can hardly taste it but it really brings out the flavor of chocolate. Those naysers don't know what they are talking about. It isn't about the coffee flavor but intensifying the chocolate flavor! Pass these cupcakes my or any others with additional flavoring!
foodwanderings says
February 20, 2014 at 2:01 pmIt's funny I feel the same but from time to time I do crave myself some chocolately delight & very ooh la la tell G. 🙂
Crystal Barrett says
February 20, 2014 at 3:54 pmMmm! This post have ME a chocolate craving! With or without the glaze they look delicious either way!
Liz says
February 21, 2014 at 10:28 amI think if I told my family they could have these for breakfast, I'd never get one for my dessert! And I think a touch of espresso powder would taste amazing 🙂
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious says
February 21, 2014 at 10:48 amThose poodle cake toppers are too cute! And I agree with you – whoever says no to chocolate and caramel or chocolate and coffee is off their rocker!
Carolyn says
February 21, 2014 at 2:31 pmThose look amazing. So moist and perfect for cupcakes. And I am ALWAYS craving chocolate 😉