One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting are a tried and true recipe! These easy one-bowl chocolate cupcakes are rich, moist and delicious, topped with a luscious, fudgy dark chocolate frosting. Make them for your sweetheart today!
If you love this chocolate cupcake recipe, you'll also love my Italian Chocolate Cake and classic Chocolate Swiss Roll, two rich chocolate desserts I make again and again.
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These one-bowl chocolate cupcakes are a recipe I've made countless times over the years. They're simple, reliable, and exactly the kind of chocolate cupcake I crave when I want something nostalgic, rich, and homemade.
There's something timeless about a classic chocolate cupcake. Moist crumb, deep cocoa flavor, and a thick layer of chocolate frosting on top. No mixers, no complicated steps, just one bowl and a cupcake that always delivers.
These are the cupcakes I remember from growing up. The kind that show up at birthdays, school parties, and special moments. And honestly, they still feel just as magical now.
Why I Love These One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes
They're made in just one bowl with simple pantry ingredients.
The cupcakes bake up rich, moist, and deeply chocolatey.
Chocolate frosting makes them perfect for celebrations and holidays.
They're easy enough for beginner bakers but impressive every time.
Perfect for Valentine's Day, birthdays, or anytime chocolate cravings hit.
Ingredients
Chocolate Cupcakes
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup warm water
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 3 tablespoons safflower oil or canola oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
How to Make One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners and set aside.
- In a large bowl, sift together the cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth, about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure everything is well combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting
Recipe Tips
- Use room-temperature eggs for a smoother batter.
- Don't overbake or the cupcakes will dry out.
- Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting for the best texture.
- Top with sprinkles for a classic, nostalgic finish.
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One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients
- CUPCAKES
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup warm water
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 3 tablespoons safflower oil or canola oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- FROSTING
- 2 ¼ c. confectioner's sugar
- ¼ c. unsweetened cocoa powder
- Pinch of salt
- 6 oz. cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 ½ sticks butter at room temperature
- 9 oz. bittersweet chocolate melted and cooled
- ¾ c. sour cream
- Sift sugar cocoa, and salt into a bowl.
Instructions
- CUPCAKES
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners; set aside. Sift together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Add eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla, and mix until smooth, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl to assure batter is well mixed.
- Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each ⅔ full (I use a one scoop ice-cream scooper). Bake until tops spring back when touched, about 20 minutes, rotating pan once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.
- FROSTING
- Beat cream cheese and butter in separate bowl on medium-high speed until smooth. Reduce speed and add sugar/cocoa/salt mixture slowly. Add melted chocolate slowly and beat until combined. Add sour cream and beat until smooth. Add your sprinkles.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
Wow...this cupcakes is so yummy!! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
These cupcakes look perfect!
awwww...you are most def not a crappy mom. I feel that all the time. Stay positive...little do you know how much your positive happy face inspires me everytime I see it! (and that's just on Twitter!!)
Your first photo just made me nuts, I'm not even a huge chocolate cake fan but who would not LOVE these!! And the fact that they are one bowl makes me even happier.
And I agree...being in the kitchen is my therapy as well. xo
These cupcakes do look magical and it sounds like you need a little magic these days. Thinking of you, Lora!
There is something about a simple cupcake that lifts the heart and spirit. I hope that you can glide through your bad patch.
Cheers.
Mmm cupcakes always make me smile too 🙂 I missed chocolate cake day (which was this past week) and this would be a great way to make up for it!
Yum! I'm hungry just looking at these cupcakes!
I'm sorry that you're having a tough time right now. You're definitely right about baking, though. It's very therapeutic with very tasty results. And sprinkles are always a great way to put a smile one your face! 🙂
Spending time with children in the kitchen is the best! And as a chocolate lover your cupcakes are perfect little taste bud palet pleasers!
you know you have the nicest comments on my blog. and i wanted to tell you "thank you". i truly mean that. your comments are always so smile-worthy. just passing on the love....
Great idea to cheer yourself up by baking. These would definitely cheer me up. They sound wonderful. I hope everything is okay for you. It is tough enough being a mom, never mind when you are worring about your health. Don't beat yourself up. You are a very positive person and a wonderful mom; I can tell:)
Lora...great post! of course you are not a crabby mom . Just that certain times in our life we face health issues . Don't worry, think positive and I am sure your doc friend will not hide things from you. We are with you and I love those cupcakes..I am sure they make you feel good with those colorful sprinkles 🙂 Take care and tomorrow will be another great day for you 🙂
Regards,
Elin
What is it about sprinkles? They're like crack! (...so I'm told.) Whenever I see them, I've just got to gobble down whatever they are sitting on.
Those cupcakes are so pretty! Love the colourful sugar pearls on top of the frosting.
I love chocolate cupcakes!!!