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chocolate cupcake topped with a chocolate frosting and decorated with colorful sprinkles

These simple and easy triple chocolate cupcakes are bursting with flavor! They're filled with a delicious chocolate ganache that perfectly complements their moist texture, and is super easy to make as well. Topped with my go-to rich chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream, these cupcakes are a chocolate lover’s dream.

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's the perfect moment to share this recipe with you. If you're looking to surprise your significant other with something truly special, these chocolate cupcakes are an excellent choice.

Understanding the Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: This is the basic flour you need. It helps make sure your cupcakes hold together and have a good texture. You can even use gluten-free flour if you need to; just let the batter sit for a bit before baking to help the flour mix well with the wet ingredients.
Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder gives your cupcakes that deep chocolate flavor everyone loves. Make sure it’s unsweetened so your cupcakes aren’t too sweet, and go for a good quality cocoa powder, it makes all the difference.
Baking Soda: This helps your cupcakes rise and become fluffy. It reacts with the buttermilk and makes sure your cupcakes aren’t too dense.
Buttermilk: Buttermilk is great for adding a slight tang and helps make your cupcakes really soft.
Vegetable Oil: Using oil instead of butter keeps your cupcakes moist for longer. This means they’ll still taste great even the next day.

chocolate cupcake cut in half showing the chocolaty filling and the delicious chocolate buttercream

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these cupcakes without coffee?
Absolutely! The coffee is used to enhance the chocolate flavor, but you can leave it out if you prefer, just know that you will not taste the coffee in the cupcakes. Replace it with the same amount of water or extra buttermilk to keep the liquid ratio balanced.
What can I use instead of buttermilk?
No buttermilk? No problem! You can easily make a substitute at home with just 2 ingredients. Check “How to Make Buttermilk from Regular Milk in Minutes”.
Can I add chocolate chips to the batter?
Yes! Just fold in about 1/2 cup of chocolate chips after you’ve mixed all the other ingredients together.
How do I store leftover cupcakes?
Keep any leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If the cupcakes are frosted, store them in the fridge for a few days (also in an airtight container). Just take them out for a few minutes before serving for the best flavor.
Can I freeze these cupcakes?
Yes, these cupcakes freeze well. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge or for a few hours at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy them.
Why did my cupcakes sink in the middle?
Cupcakes usually sink if they haven’t been fully cooked or if the oven door was opened too early during baking. Make sure to bake them for the full amount of time and check they’re done with a toothpick before taking them out of the oven.

How To Make Chocolate Cupcakes

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda.
After sifting, add the granulated sugar and a pinch of salt to the bowl. Stir all these dry ingredients together until they are well combined.

steps to make chocolate cupcakes including sifting flour, cocoa powder, and sugar

In a separate bowl, add the egg and add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.

how to make chocolate cupcakes including mixing egg with buttermilk, oil, and vanilla

Using a hand mixer or a whisk, mix these together until they are fully combined and smooth.
Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients while continuously mixing at a slow speed.
Once all the wet and dry ingredients are combined, pour in the room-temperature coffee. Continue to mix on low speed just until the coffee is fully incorporated into the batter. The coffee enhances the chocolate flavor without making the cupcakes taste like coffee.

chocolate cupcakes recipe making inclusing combining wet ingredients with dry ingredients and adding coffee to the mixture

Line your cupcake pan with cupcake liners and fill each liner halfway with batter.
Preheat your oven to 300°F (about 150°C). Place the cupcake pan in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. To check if they’re done, insert a toothpick into the center of a cupcake. If it comes out clean, they're ready to be taken out.
Remove the cupcakes from the oven and transfer them to a cooling rack.

how to bake chocolate cupcakes including filling the liners and baking the cupcakes in a cupcake pan

While the cupcakes are cooling down, prepare the filling.
For the filling, use a microwave-safe bowl to combine equal parts of chocolate chips (or your choice of chocolate) and heavy cream. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
Allow the ganache to cool slightly at room temperature (don’t use super hot ganache).
To fill the cupcakes, use a piping tip or a small knife to create a hole in the center of each cupcake.
Once filled, top each cupcake with chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream.