These Chocolate Cupcakes are moist, chocolatey, and topped with a mocha buttercream frosting for a delicious snack or dessert. They’re quick and easy to make, and with no eggs, they’re a great vegan treat.
Baking is not exactly a skill set I can proudly write to mama about, but occasionally, I like to roll up my sleeves and whip up baked goodies like I’m the next Sara Lee. There’s just something about the aroma of freshly baked cookies or cupcakes that screams comfort food.
Although I don’t bake as often as I cook, I do have a few baking recipes in my back pocket I put to good use year-round. These super moist chocolate cupcakes with mocha buttercream frosting, in fact, are based on my favorite cake recipe which is probably the quickest and simplest one you’d come across.
The cake, which goes by many names such as cockeyed, depression, or wacky cake, is my go-to when I am craving something sweet and indulgent but don’t have the time or energy to deal with dirty bowls after. All it needs is a minute of whisking and 30 minutes in the oven to come out moist and chocolatey EVERY TIME. The batter even gets mixed and baked in the same pan!
You can make this recipe in an 8 x 8 baking pan if you prefer a cake or in muffin tins for individual cupcakes. You get an amazing baked treat the whole family will love either way.
And if you’re looking for a vegan treat, this is it! There are no eggs in the batter as the use of vinegar is where the magic lies. As an acid, it reacts with baking soda to produce carbon dioxide, which lifts the batter as it bakes.
Don’t worry; the finished product will have no after taste, and no one would be able to tell there’s vinegar in it.
Baking tips
- To boost the chocolate flavor, add a teaspoon of instant coffee granules to the batter.
- I use distilled white vinegar but apple cider vinegar will work, too.
- If you’re baking this as a cake, you can stir all the ingredients and bake in the same pan. There’s no need to grease the baking pan.
- I included a delicious mocha buttercream frosting which really goes well with the chocolate flavor but you can just sprinkle the cupcakes with powdered sugar or use store-bought icing if you want to keep things simple.
How to serve
Enjoy these chocolate cupcakes as a midday snack, after-meal dessert, or any time of the day you need a sweet goodie!
How to store
- You can store unfrosted cupcakes at room temperature for up to days. Keep in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Keep frosted cupcakes in the refrigerator to keep the buttercream from melting, especially during warmer weather. Please note that refrigeration will dry out the cupcakes faster.
More baked goodies
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @kawalingpinoy on Facebook and Instagram!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons cocoa
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
- 5 tablespoons oil
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Mocha Buttercream Frosting
- 2 ounces baking chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
- In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk until well-distributed.
- In another bowl, combine water, oil, vinegar and vanilla extract. Add to flour mixture and stir together until just combined.
- Using a scoop or tablespoon, divide batter into prepared muffin pan.
- Bake for about 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to completely cool before frosting.
For the Mocha Buttercream Frosting
- In a microwaveable bowl, microwave chocolate on HIGH for about 40 to 45 seconds. Stir until just melted and cool to room temperature.
- In a small bowl, combine milk and instant coffee granules. Stir until dissolved.
- In a large bowl, combine butter, vanilla extract, and salt and beat for about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add melted chocolate and beat until blended, scraping occasionally.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add coffee mixture and beat until desired consistency.
- Chill buttercream for a few minutes before piping cupcakes.
Notes
- To boost the chocolate flavor, add a teaspoon of instant coffee granules to the batter.
- I use distilled white vinegar but apple cider vinegar will work, too.
- If you’re baking this as a cake, you can stir all the ingredients and bake in the same pan. There’s no need to grease the baking pan.
Video
Nutrition Information
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Mariane Sale says
Ang gaganda Ng mga ingredients nu po idoll…super sarap..thank you dhil sine share po mo Yung mga ingredients na ginawa nu po🥰🥰🥰💯💯💯
Lalaine Manalo says
Thank you po 🙂
Apple says
Hi! As first time bakers, my daughter and I tried your chocolate cupcake recipe last weekend and they came out superb and moist. Hubby and son who weren’t fond of sweets just absolutely loved them.
Thanks for sharing this recipe and here’s to more batches for gift giving. Cheers!
Lalaine Manalo says
You’re welcome. I’m glad the family enjoyed the recipe.
Sharyld Brecht says
What piping tip did you use to pipe the mocha frosting? Thank you. Can’t wait to try the recipe. Looks for delicious.
Lalaine Manalo says
I just used the star tip 🙂
Cyrus glenn says
Can i use baking powder instead of baking soda?
Lalaine Manalo says
This recipe was tested with baking soda. I can’t vouch for baking powder as I haven’t tried it in making these cupcakes. It will act differently and might not yield the same results as the baking soda.
Christine Dian N. Labagala says
Ilang oz po yung gamit nyong cupcake liner? Thanks in advance po sa response.
Lalaine Manalo says
I believe they’re about 3.5 ounces.
iya sanariz says
hello po,.for this serving, can i use 6 pc muffin pan instead of a 12? will that affect the taste? thank u
Lalaine Manalo says
It won’t affect the taste, but you might need to adjust the baking time.
Courthney Rae says
Can’t wait to try your recipe tomorrow! But I think I have to reduce the amount of salt that I will be mixing in the recipe.
Lalaine Manalo says
Enjoy!
Niezel ann says
is it okay to use oven toaster to bake this yummy chocolate cupcake?
Lalaine Manalo says
I haven’t tried making these cupcakes in a toaster but you’re able to adjust the temperature setting of the toaster, I think it might work
Jhel says
I tried this last night without the frosting, and they came out awesome. I like how moist they are and the sweetness is just perfect.
they were so good that even my super picky nephew is asking for more.
Keep it up, Cabalen!
Jhel
Lalaine Manalo says
Thank you, Jhel! Yes, my daughter doesn’t like too much frosting either and says they’re still good without it.
From Berlin Germany 🇩🇪 says
Hi po. I am looking a choco cake recipe for my son’s 3rd birthday this month. Luckily I saw the cupcakes PIC sa FB niyo po. I will try this. It sounds very easy. I will let my son to bake his bday cake. He loves choco cake. I will write here again after his bday 🙏🏼❤️ in advance MARAMING SALAMAT PO DAGHANG SALAMAT 🙏🏼❤️!!!!
Lalaine Manalo says
Hi Rosalind, glad you found the recipe!! Belated Happy Birthday to your son.
Paige Taus says
I’d love to know if this recipe can be made into a white cake by omitting the xocoa?
Would I need to add flour for the cocoa to keep the consistency correct?
I’d also say that this is my new go-to chocolate cake mix! So moist and yummy…I get raves on anything I’ve made using this recipe ❤
Lalaine says
Unfortunately, I haven’t personally tried it so I am not sure what effect omitting the cocoa will have to the texture of the cake. 🙁
ann says
Cake flour or all purpose flour? Thanks Ms. LAlaiine
Lalaine says
All purpose flour 🙂