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goodtoknow user Libbie sent in her chocolate cupcake recipe, which she adapted from The Hummingbird Bakery's recipe. Libbie says: 'They were yummy' and they look like it too! Rich chocolate sponges with a super-sweet chocolate buttercream, this is the ultimate chocolate cupcake recipe and regularly voted into the top cake recipes on goodtoknow. Tried, tested and guaranteed by you.
Ingredients
For the chocolate cupcakes:
100g plain flour
20g cocoa powder
140g caster sugar
1.5tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
40g unsalted butter at room temperature
120ml whole milk
1 egg
¼tsp of vanilla extract
For the chocolate buttercream frosting:
600g icing sugar sifted
200g unsalted butter
80g cocoa powder
80ml whole milk
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Put flour, cocoa, sugar and baking powder, salt and butter in a free-standing mixer with paddle attachment. Mix together until you have a sandy consistency.
Whisk milk, egg and vanilla in a jug. Slowly pour half into the mixture, beat to combine and then turn the mixer up to high speed to get rid of any lumps.
Turn the mixer down to a slower speed and pour in the remaining mixture. Continue to mix for a couple of mins. Do not over mix.
Spoon mixture into the 12 cases and cook for 20 mins.
For the chocolate buttercream: Beat icing sugar, butter and cocoa powder together in a free-standing mixer on a medium speed. Turn down to a low speed and add milk gradually, once mixed turn up to a high speed again and beat for approx 5 mins and mixture is light and fluffy.
Use a piping bag and metal nozzle to pipe onto top of cooled cupcakes.
Decorate with blueberries, edible gold stars and glitter. You could also try decorating these chocolate cupcakes with regal iced cut outs or lustre spray.
What do you think of this recipe? Leave us your comments, twists and handy tips.
Your comments
stellabella2000
I made this recipe using small foil cases & all turned out well. I wanted to make some in bigger cases for my daughter's 40th. On the 'dummy run' I filled the cases 2/3rds full as this is recommended in my books. The cupcakes overflowed & looked like mushrooms. They ate ok but not suitable for a special birthday. I made another batch & filled them slightly below 1/2 the cases. This time they appeared ok but I took them out after the 20 mins to check if cooked-not only were they not done but they then sank in the middle on some. I did cook at 160c as I have a fan oven. I was very careful with my measuring etc. What went wrong, any advice welcome. :-(
Leah82
These are absolutely delicious, but found they needed an extra 10 minutes in the oven as my first batch shrank and separated from the paper cases (in a brand new oven). Will definitely use this recipie again :)
Keira Campbell
I love this recipe. I have made them twice now and they have been perfect both times.
The recipe makes a really moist, rich cupcake.
Both times I have only got 10 cupcakes out of the recipe. The buttercream recipe makes about twice the amount you need.
When making the buttercream, instead of using milk, I mixed the cocoa powder with 80ml of warm water to make a paste, and then mixed it in with butter and sugar. This gives a really even, rich colour to the buttercream.
Ashley
I made these and they were fantastic, this is my all time favourit now. My kids and husband can't get enough of these!
Jolene goodtoknow Editor
Libbie - we were wondering when you were going to post some more pictures of your beautiful cakes! Remember, everyone, you can send your pics here: http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/submit or add them to our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/goodtoknowrecipes - if we pick you to go in Goodtoknow Recipes magazine, you'll get £25.
toni ludgate
made these as a birthday cupcake collection went down a storm lol but mine went really misshaped and wonky to one side i even left them to settle before putting them in the oven what did i do wrong :(
marie
They look so nice i will be having a go.
Adele
These cupcakes are lovely!! made them tonight and recipe is perfect, found no tweeking nessessary, will make again!!
jenny
a great recipe that turns out as good as the picture thank you
george
these are great and taste great too. i only put in half of the icing sugar for the frosting. made it really rich but tasted great.
GTK Ed
Hi Lisa, Yes you can do the mixing by hand. It will take a bit longer, but as long as your batter is light and fluffy your cakes will be just as good. Give them a go and let us know how you get on! Jolene
Lisa Forde
Can the mixing be done by hand, would the same results be achieved, hope so would love to try this recipe,they look gorgeous!!
xx lucy xx
im going to make these with my little sister on saturday! wish me luck
simone
made them last week...they were fab. had none left within an hour
PeterR
Wow. Love the toppings!
Diane
These look absolutely gorgeous and I bet they tasted it too. Forgot to leave stars on last comment!Oops.
Peter
Amazing!
Sandra Tingle
Stunning, bet they take delicious.
Ruby Au
Prefect match!! These look great even not taste yet!
Kathy
This is absolutely amazing!!!
Louise Thomas
These not only look amazing but I can tell you all they taste amazing as Libbie made these for my last day at work before starting my maternity leave. A fabulous start, thank you Libbie!!! x o x o
Diane Walters
These look absolutely gorgeous and I bet they tasted it too!
Nicola kirby
These look amazing. Can't wait to try them!
Alex
600 g of icing sugar, are you sure? I gave 200g and it still was too sweet
Mizmiah
Hello... This might be a silly question, but can you use hot chocolate powder instead of cocoa powder? Thank you
Ant
But the cakes turn out lovely really enjoyable and great for a treat.
Ant
Very good, but slightly annoying..... not everyone has a electric mixer!
Thais
Can I use butter instead of oil? If so, how much?
Shagufta'Babesss
Amaaaaaaaazinggg!! <3
Jude
I found if you swapped out 20ml of milk for Bailleys in the cake mix it makes an interesting twist and a rather grown up yummy cake :)
Amy:)
does anyone know if using semi-skinned milk instead of whole milk for the frosting will make a difference?
leavethelies
Great recipe! I'm gonna do them very often! :) yummy!
Cess
This is really easy to follow cupcake recipe! Love to try this one out!
Neil Hudson
These are delicious, but same as lianlovescooking, I would half the buttercream icing.
Penelope Griffiths
These cakes are wonderful. I was wondering if you would be able to make them in advance and freeze untill needed? Does anyone know if this is possible? Thanks x
Dilon Fisherman
Thanx for this recipe its a keeper, the cupcakes were so easy to make and the instructions very helpful. Couple of things though
I filled the cases to 1/2 full only, and made some wells to stop them rising to a peak in the middle.
when they were semi cooled I placed a book on top and that flattened them so more so I could pipe on more icing.
Also mixing the icing for a full 5 minutes deffo makes the icing nice and fluffy easy to pipe.
One last thing I kept the icing in the fridge for about 30 mins to harden up a bit again making it loads easier to pipe.
Great recipe though ;-))
Katy goodtoknow Recipes
Hi Siobhan - don't panic, it's a very common problem, it's certainly happened to me before! It happens when the cake is too moist, so the wrappers start peeling away. To stop it happening, try filling each cupcake case at least 2/3 full, and turn them out of the pan onto the wire rack to cool as soon as they come out of the oven, which will stop the cases getting too soggy.
Siobhan Flynn
I have made these twice now and the cakes are fabulous, really moist. But I have one problem which has happened this time.... All of the cases came away from the cakes???
Has this happened to anyone else?
Really loved the main cupcake recipe, really light and fluffy but I would at least half the buttercream quantities.
I used muffin cases which made 8 and I wasn't stingy with the buttercream but even making half quantities I still had a good dollop leftover!
x
Maayan
I also found when filling the cases 2/3rds full they overflow. Now I only fill them half way and they turn out just right. For this recipe 170 degrees is for fan assisted ovens so follow it as is. Hummingbird recipes are cooked at 190 degrees which you then have to reduce by 20 degrees.
Maayan
If you are thinking of making cupcakes again, mix the flour, cocoa, sugar and baking powder, salt and butter in the bowl by hand first. It help to bind the dry ingredients with the butter to reduce the mess caused by the electric mixer. Try it...
Maayan
Libbie - This recipe is pure geneous!!! I made it for my son's 2nd birthday last week and boy did everyone who ate them love them. The cupcakes were so good people thought I'd bought them. It made my little angel's birthday. Thank you for sharing it....
siberian tiger
Have just finished making these - i do not have a free standing mixer so used an electric hand whisk, i had some clearing up to do after lol but was worth it - made them for my niece as an extra birthday present so hoping she loves them. Kept 3 for myself, husband and wee monster, cannot wait to try them later after dinner.
The buttercream icing i had left over was used to sandwich plain biscuits.
amyloudotcom
Amazing Super perfect yummy scrummy and moist just how a choc cupcake should be :D
stephenjoll
Really awesome!!! Thanks for sharing.
sisdunbar
Perfection! I have tried lots of different recipes and this is by far the best one!I loved them as did everyone else. I used big muffin cases and weighed each one (40g) so they all cameout identical in size! I made 10 in total.
Annabel81
I love this recipe, the cupcakes are moist and chocolately without being too rich. I do find perhaps its a little much butter icing, i tend to add a little less butter and more icing and a splash of milk otherwise its too rich. I decorate mine with silver balls or little stars and sometimes switch up the colour of the icing - they are always a hit. Thanks Libbie :)
Your comments
stellabella2000
I made this recipe using small foil cases & all turned out well. I wanted to make some in bigger cases for my daughter's 40th. On the 'dummy run' I filled the cases 2/3rds full as this is recommended in my books. The cupcakes overflowed & looked like mushrooms. They ate ok but not suitable for a special birthday. I made another batch & filled them slightly below 1/2 the cases. This time they appeared ok but I took them out after the 20 mins to check if cooked-not only were they not done but they then sank in the middle on some. I did cook at 160c as I have a fan oven. I was very careful with my measuring etc. What went wrong, any advice welcome. :-(
Leah82
These are absolutely delicious, but found they needed an extra 10 minutes in the oven as my first batch shrank and separated from the paper cases (in a brand new oven). Will definitely use this recipie again :)
Keira Campbell
I love this recipe. I have made them twice now and they have been perfect both times. The recipe makes a really moist, rich cupcake. Both times I have only got 10 cupcakes out of the recipe. The buttercream recipe makes about twice the amount you need. When making the buttercream, instead of using milk, I mixed the cocoa powder with 80ml of warm water to make a paste, and then mixed it in with butter and sugar. This gives a really even, rich colour to the buttercream.
Ashley
I made these and they were fantastic, this is my all time favourit now. My kids and husband can't get enough of these!
Jolene goodtoknow Editor
Libbie - we were wondering when you were going to post some more pictures of your beautiful cakes! Remember, everyone, you can send your pics here: http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/submit or add them to our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/goodtoknowrecipes - if we pick you to go in Goodtoknow Recipes magazine, you'll get £25.
toni ludgate
made these as a birthday cupcake collection went down a storm lol but mine went really misshaped and wonky to one side i even left them to settle before putting them in the oven what did i do wrong :(
marie
They look so nice i will be having a go.
Adele
These cupcakes are lovely!! made them tonight and recipe is perfect, found no tweeking nessessary, will make again!!
jenny
a great recipe that turns out as good as the picture thank you
george
these are great and taste great too. i only put in half of the icing sugar for the frosting. made it really rich but tasted great.
GTK Ed
Hi Lisa, Yes you can do the mixing by hand. It will take a bit longer, but as long as your batter is light and fluffy your cakes will be just as good. Give them a go and let us know how you get on! Jolene
Lisa Forde
Can the mixing be done by hand, would the same results be achieved, hope so would love to try this recipe,they look gorgeous!!
xx lucy xx
im going to make these with my little sister on saturday! wish me luck
simone
made them last week...they were fab. had none left within an hour
PeterR
Wow. Love the toppings!
Diane
These look absolutely gorgeous and I bet they tasted it too. Forgot to leave stars on last comment!Oops.
Peter
Amazing!
Sandra Tingle
Stunning, bet they take delicious.
Ruby Au
Prefect match!! These look great even not taste yet!
Kathy
This is absolutely amazing!!!
Louise Thomas
These not only look amazing but I can tell you all they taste amazing as Libbie made these for my last day at work before starting my maternity leave. A fabulous start, thank you Libbie!!! x o x o
Diane Walters
These look absolutely gorgeous and I bet they tasted it too!
Nicola kirby
These look amazing. Can't wait to try them!
Alex
600 g of icing sugar, are you sure? I gave 200g and it still was too sweet
Mizmiah
Hello... This might be a silly question, but can you use hot chocolate powder instead of cocoa powder? Thank you
Ant
But the cakes turn out lovely really enjoyable and great for a treat.
Ant
Very good, but slightly annoying..... not everyone has a electric mixer!
Thais
Can I use butter instead of oil? If so, how much?
Shagufta'Babesss
Amaaaaaaaazinggg!! <3
Jude
I found if you swapped out 20ml of milk for Bailleys in the cake mix it makes an interesting twist and a rather grown up yummy cake :)
Amy:)
does anyone know if using semi-skinned milk instead of whole milk for the frosting will make a difference?
leavethelies
Great recipe! I'm gonna do them very often! :) yummy!
Cess
This is really easy to follow cupcake recipe! Love to try this one out!
Neil Hudson
These are delicious, but same as lianlovescooking, I would half the buttercream icing.
Penelope Griffiths
These cakes are wonderful. I was wondering if you would be able to make them in advance and freeze untill needed? Does anyone know if this is possible? Thanks x
Dilon Fisherman
Thanx for this recipe its a keeper, the cupcakes were so easy to make and the instructions very helpful. Couple of things though I filled the cases to 1/2 full only, and made some wells to stop them rising to a peak in the middle. when they were semi cooled I placed a book on top and that flattened them so more so I could pipe on more icing. Also mixing the icing for a full 5 minutes deffo makes the icing nice and fluffy easy to pipe. One last thing I kept the icing in the fridge for about 30 mins to harden up a bit again making it loads easier to pipe. Great recipe though ;-))
Katy goodtoknow Recipes
Hi Siobhan - don't panic, it's a very common problem, it's certainly happened to me before! It happens when the cake is too moist, so the wrappers start peeling away. To stop it happening, try filling each cupcake case at least 2/3 full, and turn them out of the pan onto the wire rack to cool as soon as they come out of the oven, which will stop the cases getting too soggy.
Siobhan Flynn
I have made these twice now and the cakes are fabulous, really moist. But I have one problem which has happened this time.... All of the cases came away from the cakes??? Has this happened to anyone else?
recipes at random
These look really lovely. Check out the chocolate cupcakes with white chocolate frosting I made today today http://recipesatrandom.com/2011/12/04/chocolate-cupcakes-with-white-chocolate-frosting/
lianlovescooking
Really loved the main cupcake recipe, really light and fluffy but I would at least half the buttercream quantities. I used muffin cases which made 8 and I wasn't stingy with the buttercream but even making half quantities I still had a good dollop leftover! x
Maayan
I also found when filling the cases 2/3rds full they overflow. Now I only fill them half way and they turn out just right. For this recipe 170 degrees is for fan assisted ovens so follow it as is. Hummingbird recipes are cooked at 190 degrees which you then have to reduce by 20 degrees.
Maayan
If you are thinking of making cupcakes again, mix the flour, cocoa, sugar and baking powder, salt and butter in the bowl by hand first. It help to bind the dry ingredients with the butter to reduce the mess caused by the electric mixer. Try it...
Maayan
Libbie - This recipe is pure geneous!!! I made it for my son's 2nd birthday last week and boy did everyone who ate them love them. The cupcakes were so good people thought I'd bought them. It made my little angel's birthday. Thank you for sharing it....
siberian tiger
Have just finished making these - i do not have a free standing mixer so used an electric hand whisk, i had some clearing up to do after lol but was worth it - made them for my niece as an extra birthday present so hoping she loves them. Kept 3 for myself, husband and wee monster, cannot wait to try them later after dinner. The buttercream icing i had left over was used to sandwich plain biscuits.
amyloudotcom
Amazing Super perfect yummy scrummy and moist just how a choc cupcake should be :D
stephenjoll
Really awesome!!! Thanks for sharing.
sisdunbar
Perfection! I have tried lots of different recipes and this is by far the best one!I loved them as did everyone else. I used big muffin cases and weighed each one (40g) so they all cameout identical in size! I made 10 in total.
Annabel81
I love this recipe, the cupcakes are moist and chocolately without being too rich. I do find perhaps its a little much butter icing, i tend to add a little less butter and more icing and a splash of milk otherwise its too rich. I decorate mine with silver balls or little stars and sometimes switch up the colour of the icing - they are always a hit. Thanks Libbie :)