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These cupcakes are not only moist but loaded with great chocolate flavor!
"Do you ever feel like crying your eyes out?"
That was the text I sent my daughter the day I made these cupcakes.
I was carrying four of my prettiest specimens (we call them heroes) upstairs for a photo shoot, when suddenly, the little cakes started sliding. I saw them going down, but couldn't react in time. The next thing I knew, they were looking up at me from the ground. And I was looking down at them sadly, figuring we'd need to cancel the photo shoot.
A knight in shining armor came to the rescue, however. Scott, my ever-optimistic husband (as well as photographer), looked at the not-so-pretty specimens and said, "Let's see what we can do with these...". Check out the photos below and see the magic he worked!
The first time I made these delicious chocolate cupcakes was this past November for a very special occasion. Our daughter-in-law, Lindsay, was scheduled for an induction the day after Thanksgiving, and late that evening we got the wonderful phone call that our new grandson had arrived. I'd made the cupcakes earlier in the day, and it didn't take long to pack them up and head to the hospital.
The new parents were tired, happy and very proud and these moist, chocolatey cupcakes, mounded high with buttercream, were a big hit at our welcome-to-the-world party. The taste-testers at the hospital that fine November night, all agreed the cupcakes were quite "blog worthy" although the little star of the show, Hayes Ryan, slept through the entire event.
With Valentines Day right around the corner, I thought this would be a perfect time to share these yummy cupcakes, so I recruited a little cooking friend to help me.
"Anyone want to help me make cupcakes?" I asked one day last week when Hayes' big sister, Emmy was hanging out with us. She loves to help in the kitchen and she quickly responded, "I do!" I pulled out the ingredients and helped her onto the island and the fun began...
We measure, mixed, beat, sniffed and laughed.
Emmy had lots of fun with her first cupcake decorating lesson and in the end, everyone enjoyed the fruits of our labor. As you can see, especially the little cupcake maker herself!
I found this delicious chocolate cupcake recipe on Pinterest and was intrigued by the fact that it includes three quarters cup of strong coffee. I looked into that a bit and learned that coffee intensifies the flavor of chocolate. It's true! You would never know there's coffee in the finished product, but the chocolate flavor is fantastic.
The recipe also calls for buttermilk which, in my opinion, is quite magical in cakes, muffins, pancakes, etc. Try to find whole buttermilk instead of the low fat for best results. There's not that much difference in calories and hey, you're splurging anyways, so go for the real deal!
I used my old standby Best Buttercream Icing and added a generous splash of Vanilla Bean Paste.
You could also use real vanilla beans or just regular vanilla extract. I love the look of the tiny flecks of vanilla beans in the icing, so I love to use the paste.
Chocolate cupcakes are always a hit, so whether you want to surprise your sweetheart for Valentines, you've been requested to bring dessert to a party or you just want to make an ordinary day quite extraordinary, save a cup of coffee and whip up a batch of these Super Moist Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Icing. You'll be sure to see smiles as big as Emmy's! Just don't carry them around on a slippery cupcake stand!
P.S. We're super excited as we head to London tomorrow to see our four little Valentines on the other side of the pond. We'll be sharing a really fun Valentine treat from over there later in the week - some pretty, buttery Valentine Shortbread Cookies.
- For the cupcakes:
- ¾ cup strong hot coffee
- ¾ cup dark cocoa
- ¾ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- For the icing:
- 8 ounces butter softened
- 2 ounces low fat not fat-free cream cheese (softened)
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 2-3 tablespoons whole milk
-
Preheat oven to 350°. Line cupcake pans with 30 cupcake liners
-
Whisk together coffee and cocoa in a small bowl and set aside. Sift together flour, baking soda and baking powder in another small bowl and set aside. Measure out buttermilk and mix with vanilla extract and set aside.
-
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together butter, brown sugar and salt. Add eggs, one at a time, beating each egg in thoroughly and scraping the side of the bowl before adding the next egg.
-
Add ⅓ of the flour mixture to the egg mixture and mix until combined. Add ½ of the buttermilk and mix until combined.
-
Repeat, ending with the last of the flour mixture.
-
Add the cocoa and coffee mixture and mix until thoroughly combined. Fold in mayonnaise.
-
Divide equally into prepared cupcake liners. Bake for 16-18 mins or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
-
Allow to cool thoroughly on wire racks before frosting with Vanilla Bean Icing (below).
-
For the icing, whip the butter and cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer until soft and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. I like to use the whisk attachment for my mixer.
-
Reduce speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar. Beat for 3 minutes on high speed. Mixture will be very thick.
-
Add vanilla and 2 tablespoons milk. Beat until nice creamy consistency is reached. You made need to add more milk, add just a teaspoonful at a time until desired consistency is reach. You want a cream but fairly stick consistency if you're planning on piping the icing. If spreading with a knife, the icing can be a bit thinner. Beat for another 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl several times during mixing.
-
Ice with a knife or pipe on icing with a decorating bag and tip. For the cupcakes pictured, I used a 2D Wilton tip, also known as a flower tip. I start in the center and slowly (so the icing can ruffle a bit) work my way to the outside edges of the cupcake and the back to the center.
-
Yields 30 cupcakes
To frost all 30 cupcakes mounded high with icing as pictured, I used a most of a double recipe of the icing. If you frost the cupcakes with a knife, you will have plenty with a single recipe.
Amanda Hawthorne says
I’ve made this recipe before and absolutely loved it. I’m just wondering if I could use this as a cake recipe? Also do you think using vegan substitutes would be okay in place of eggs or butter?
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Amanda, I haven't tried this as a cake so I can't say for sure and honestly, I'm not sure about the substitutions. I never like to advise unless I've tried something myself.
ab says
is it brown sugar or just plain white sugar?
Chris Scheuer says
It's brown sugar.
LCB says
Can you halve this recipe? I don't need 30 cupcakes....Thanks!
Chris Scheuer says
Yes you can Lana!
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
Yeah for your hubs! I had a mishap last week. I had my FAVORITE wine glass prop (a real find from Goodwill) on the counter drying when a pan I put down slid as if in slow motion and I knew what was going to happen but was powerless to stop it. There went my glass and the next half hour was spent cleaning up shards. UGH...I would rather clean up cupcakes and these look beautiful; love the specks of vanilla bean!
Chris Scheuer says
I know the slow mo experience all to well Barbara! It's happened many times for me!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
What dreamy cupcakes, I love that vanilla bean icing!
Susan says
Hayes is a little sweetheart and Emma looks so proud holding him 🙂 I'd say cupcakes for everyone on such a happy occasion too! I'd love Emma's hat she's wearing helping you in the kitchen. What a cutie-pie (or cutie-cupcake)! Have a wonderful trip.
Adina says
My favorite chocolate cake includes pretty much the same ingredients, so I know how great these cupcakes taste. Lovely children! 🙂
Wendy says
Oh, I feel your pain with the dumped cupcakes, Chris! Great save by Scott! I was once in the middle of shooting a recipe and kept nudging the plate closer to the window until it all dumped off the table onto the floor. Yes, I not only felt like crying, I may have actually shed tears. Unlike my mess of crumbs on the floor, your cupcakes look absolutely celebratory! Lovely cupcakes to celebrate the arrival of little Hayes Ryan! Congratulations! You have a pile of gorgeous grandkids! I always love the photos of Assistant Chef Emmy at work. 🙂 She has a catching smile and some pretty awesome baking apparel! Safe travels and wonderful memory making in London.
John/Kitchen Riffs says
It's when I have accidents that I really appreciate what food styling can do! Lovely cupcakes -- love the frosting. Although I think I would have used the excuse to bake another batch. 🙂
Sandra says
Emmy is growing up so fast and she is quite the assistant in the kitchen. Yummy recipe and I just love the vanilla bean specks. Have a great time across the pond!
Diane (Created by Diane) says
oh these are just adorable, and I love the vanilla bean flecks in the frosting. Happy top see you were able to still photograph them. It's happened to me many times. food somehow goes flying out of my hands...plates and all. What a cute new addititon to your family too!
Beverly Hudson says
Chris, these look delicious! And the pictures are adorable! Made me smile so. My question is 30 cupcakes are a lot. Would this batter make a two layered cake instead? Thanks so much for your reply.
Have a wonderful visit across the pond!
Beverly
JoyceB says
Looks devine. Can't wait to bake these. Thanks Chris. Have a wonderful trip.
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Great photos. There is nothing better than a chocolate cupcake and with that icing, irresistible!! Have a wonderful trip 🙂
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Congratulations Chris! Hayes is beautiful and Emmy is adorable. I can't wait for my two new granddaughters this year - maybe they'll help me in the kitchen too! Love these cupcakes - simply beautiful!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Looks amazingly delicious and beautiful!
Marcy says
I see my two questions are similar to ones asked already:
1- do you have a chocolate that you recommend?
2-I don't even have any mayonnaise in the house anymore.
I really just use plain greek yogurt for everything I used to use mayonnaise or
sour cream for. Could that be used instead? Or should I invest in a jar of mayonnaise?
THANK YOU! I LOVe your posts!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Marcy, I use Trader Joe's cocoa or Hershey's. I do the same with Greek yogurt but I did happen to have mayo so I used that this time since the recipe called for it. I would think the yogurt should do fine though I haven't tried it. Hope you enjoy them!
nancy says
chris,
Is there any way I could skip the mayonaise? It seems unnatural
for a cake. What does it's purpose serve? Looks and sounds
delicious though.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Nancy, I think the mayo just helps make them moist. I did add it but maybe just adding a little more buttermilk might give the same effect. I'm just guessing on that though since I haven't tried it.
Judy says
Chris, when you say 'dark chocolate' do you mean the Natural Cocoa Powder or the Dutch Cocoa Powder. Thank you.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Judy, I use either Trader Joe's cocoa or Hersheys.
SallyBR says
Have a wonderful trip! The cupcakes are simply gorgeous!!!!!!
Madonna says
Chris, I really love the photo of your son and the grands. Those big hands and that little tiny baby. So sweet.
I love that your cupcakes were saved. Good job Scott.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Madonna! Nick loves his little guy and gal too!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Madonna! Nick loves those two little ones - he's a great Daddy!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
Your sweets are always incredible Chris --- and how exciting that you'll be heading to London, have a wonderful time with your family!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Sue! It's always a wild, fun adventure over here - and this trip is no exception!
Monique says
How did you last this long ?:)
ADORABLE....He and she..and have fun im Mary Quant's city:)
For some reason your post took forever to load..is something different?
Chris Scheuer says
Not that we know of Monique, we'll check with our technical people.
Charlotte Moore says
They truly look delicious. WOW!! Your going back to London again. I know you will be glad to see your family there.
Safe travels!!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Charlotte! We are having a blast with them right now!