• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • My Story
  • Income Reports
  • Contact Me

Stephanie's Sweet Treats

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • My Story
  • Income Reports
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • My Story
    • Income Reports
    • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Cupcake Recipes

    Aug 8, 2021 by Stephanie Rutherford · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

    Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes

    7379 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest pin for chocolate fudge cupcakes.

    These chocolate fudge cupcakes are the most moist cupcakes ever! The cupcakes don't need a mixer! They are topped with a chocolate ganache that is thickened to pipe on top of the cupcakes. It tastes like pure fudge.

    Chocolate fudge cupcakes on a wire rack.

    These chocolate fudge cupcakes are the easiest to make cupcakes! They make incredible soft cupcakes and you don't even need a mixer!

    They are topped with a fudgy frosting made from 2 ingredients!

    If you are looking for fudgy recipes, try fudge Oreo brownie, mini chocolate cake, monster cookie brownies.

    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This
    • Ingredients
    • Step By Step Instructions
    • Baking Tips
    • Substitutions
    • FAQ
    • Storing and Freezing
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why You Will Love This

    • No mixer required- This recipe can be made with bowls and a whisk!
    • Moist chocolate cupcakes- These cupcakes are incredibly moist. Even while cold!
    • Chocolate ganache frosting- This frosting is incredibly easy to make!
    Topping the cupcakes with truffles.

    Ingredients

    Here are some notes about the ingredients used.

    • Dutch process cocoa powder- I use this one. Dutch process cocoa powder makes the cupcakes taste richer.
    • Sugar + brown sugar- These use both to give a more moist cupcake.
    • Buttermilk- Actual buttermilk from the store is best. See substitutions.
    • Hot water- Use hot water from the stove. Tap water won't be hot enough.
    • Chocolate chips- Use semi-sweet or dark. Don't use milk chocolate because it will be too sweet.
    Wrapper off cupcake on cake stand.

    Step By Step Instructions

    Here are the steps to make the cupcakes and decorate them.

    STEP 1: First, use a 12 cup muffin tin with muffin liners.

    STEP 2: Mix the dry ingredients together. Sift the flour and cocoa powder to remove any lumps.

    STEP 3: Next, mix wet ingredients. Save the hot water for after everything is mixed.

    STEP 4: Then, mix wet ingredients into the dry. Once mixed, add in the hot water very slowly.

    STEP 5: Scoop the batter and fill the tin ⅔rds full. Bake for 18-20 minutes.

    STEP 6: Pour hot cream over the chocolate chips. Let it sit, then mix until smooth and creamy. Pour into 2 bowls.

    STEP 7: Chill the the chocolate ganache for 45 minutes. Stir every 15 minutes. It should be like a pudding.

    STEP 8: Decorate the cupcakes. Top with the frosting and a truffle.

    Mixing cake batter in glass bowl.
    Cake batter in muffin tin.
    Cupcake on wire rack.
    Chocolate frosting in bowl.

    Baking Tips

    When making the ganache, if there are any chocolate chunks remaining after stirring heat in the microwave for 10 second intervals. It should be completely smooth.

    Once the frosting reaches a soft pudding texture, pipe on top of the frosting immediately.

    If the ganache gets too thick or cold. Heat in the microwave for 5-10 seconds. Then, chill again until a pudding texture.

    Bite missing from chocolate fudge cupcakes.

    Substitutions

    • Buttermilk- Use ½ cup of cow milk and ½ tablespoon of lemon juice. Let it sit for 10 minutes before using.
    • Truffle- You can use any truffle on top! Or leave the cupcakes plain with chocolate sprinkles.
    • Chocolate frosting- You can also use this frosting from this mini layered cake.

    FAQ

    Can these cupcakes be made gluten free?

    I haven't recipe tested it, but you can use Bob's Red Mill 1:1 gluten free flour blend.

    Can these be made with no eggs?

    I haven't recipe tested this, but if you do, let me know!

    My cupcakes didn't rise

    This is usually due to having cold ingredients. Make sure to pull everything out for 2 hours before baking.

    Is my batter supposed to be runny?

    Yes! It bakes into very moist cupcakes!

    Sprinkling chocolate sprinkles on top of chocolate fudge cupcakes.

    Storing and Freezing

    Store these cupcakes in the fridge in a cake carrier. It will last up to 5 days. The frosting will get very thick in the fridge. However, it still tastes great.

    Freezing

    Freeze these cupcakes before decorating. Wrap in cling wrap and freeze up to 30 days. Take out to thaw for 1 hour before decorating.

    Other Cupcake Recipes To Try

    • Raspberry Filled Cupcakes
    • Oreo Cupcakes
    • Cookie Dough Cupcakes

    Make sure to leave me a star review below!

    Make sure to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats. I hope you loved it! To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.

    📖 Recipe

    Chocolate fudge cupcakes on a wire rack.

    Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes

    Stephanie Rutherford
    These moist chocolate fudge cupcakes are rich and fluffy. They are topped with chocolate ganache frosting.
    5 from 20 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 18 mins
    Chilling Time 45 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 18 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 cupcakes
    Calories 278 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    Chocolate Cupcakes

    • 1 cup All-purpose flour
    • ½ cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
    • ¾ cup White granulated sugar
    • ¼ cup Brown sugar packed light or dark
    • 1 teaspoon Baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Baking soda
    • ¼ teaspoon Salt
    • ⅓ cup Oil canola or vegetable
    • 2 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
    • 2 Large eggs room temperature
    • ½ cup Buttermilk room temperature
    • ½ cup Hot water

    Chocolate Ganache

    • 1 ¾ cups Plus 2 tablespoon Semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 1 ½ cups Heavy cream

    Instructions
     

    Chocolate Cupcakes

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12 cup muffin tin with muffin liners.
    • In a large bowl, sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda. Add in the sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Whisk until combined.
      1 cup All-purpose flour, ½ cup Unsweetened cocoa powder, ¾ cup White granulated sugar, ¼ cup Brown sugar, 1 teaspoon Baking powder, ¼ teaspoon Baking soda, ¼ teaspoon Salt
    • In a separate bowl, mix the oil, vanilla, eggs, and buttermilk. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix until combined. Scrape the bowl.
      ⅓ cup Oil, 2 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract, 2 Large eggs, ½ cup Buttermilk
    • Heat the water in a sauce pan until hot and steaming. Pour the hot water into the batter a little at a time. Whisk until combined and add in more hot water.
      ½ cup Hot water
    • Use a cookie scoop to fill the muffin liners ¾ full. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Cupcakes are done baking when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
    • Let the cupcakes sit in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer to a cooling rack. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely.

    Chocolate Ganache

    • Pour chocolate chips in a small bowl. Heat heavy cream in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Heat until hot and steaming. Pour hot cream over chocolate chips. Let it sit for 1 minute and 30 seconds.
      1 ¾ cups Plus 2 tablespoon Semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 ½ cups Heavy cream
    • Mix until smooth and glossy.
    • Separate the chocolate ganache into 2 bowls. It will thicken faster. Place bowls in the fridge for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Stir the chocolate every 10 minutes. The chocolate ganache will become thick and pipeable. The consistency will be like pudding.
    • Pipe the chocolate frosting on the cupcakes.

    Notes

    Flour- Make sure flour is spooned and leveled or use a kitchen scale. Compacted flour can dry out the cupcakes.
    High altitude baking- Add an extra tablespoon of flour.
    Room temperature ingredients- Pull out dairy ingredients 2 hours before baking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 278kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 3gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 140mgPotassium: 108mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 454IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 63mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Chocolate cupcakes, chocolate frosting, chocolate ganache, easy, fluffy, moist, rich
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Cupcake Recipes

    • Christmas Reindeer Cupcakes
    • Biscoff Cupcakes
    • S'mores Cupcakes
    • Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes

    About Stephanie Rutherford

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. River says

      October 19, 2022 at 9:59 am

      How many cupcakes does one batch make?

      Reply
      • Stephanie Rutherford says

        October 21, 2022 at 10:29 am

        12 cupcakes!

        Reply
    2. Lucy says

      August 04, 2022 at 8:09 pm

      5 stars
      Hi! Made this cupcakes!! There are to die for!! So moist! What size of cupcake holder did you use?

      Reply
      • Stephanie Rutherford says

        August 08, 2022 at 10:43 am

        Did you mean for a cake carrier or like the cupcake liners?

        Reply
    3. Stephany says

      October 12, 2021 at 9:45 pm

      5 stars
      10/10 huge hit at my job!!! My coworkers loved them!!!! 🙂

      Reply
    4. Mehrzad says

      August 17, 2021 at 4:30 am

      5 stars
      Amazing and delious. Thank u

      Reply
    5. Mehrzad says

      August 17, 2021 at 4:29 am

      5 stars
      Amazing thank you

      Reply
    6. Jenice says

      June 06, 2021 at 3:23 pm

      Made these today and they turned out great! The frosting set just as you said and piled high! I actually got 3 extra cupcakes and still had frosting left over! I will make again.

      Reply
    7. Allison says

      March 06, 2021 at 5:18 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! Thank you!

      Reply
    8. Steven says

      March 06, 2021 at 5:17 pm

      5 stars
      These cupcakes are so moist and delicious! They have a strong chocolate flavor that really packs a punch. I highly recommend them!

      Reply
    9. Kyle says

      March 06, 2021 at 5:17 pm

      5 stars
      So much chocolate! These really hit the spot with my chocolate obsession.

      Reply
    10. Judy DeFrias says

      March 03, 2021 at 7:07 am

      If the ganache is like pudding, how do you store the cupcakes? Does it keep its shape?

      Reply
      • Stephanie Rutherford says

        March 03, 2021 at 7:09 am

        Yes it does. Once it reaches frosting like consistency, then it will pipe just like the cupcakes in the pictures. Its my favorite way to get a rich frosting.

        Reply
    11. Georgia says

      February 25, 2021 at 8:38 pm

      Can you substitute brewed coffee for water and if so how much?

      Reply
      • Stephanie Rutherford says

        February 26, 2021 at 12:59 pm

        Yes you can. Use the same amount of coffee to hot water.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi New Friends!

    HI! I am Stephanie!

    I am the founder, recipe developer, and food photographer for Stephanie's Sweet Treats. Here you will find all the decadent dessert recipes that anyone can make!

    Learn more about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Moist Triple Chocolate Cake
    • Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake
    • Brown Butter Snickerdoodle Cookies
    • Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies

    New Recipes

    • Brownie Cake
    • Raspberry Muffins
    • Top 20 Birthday Cake Recipes
    • Banana Blueberry Muffins

    As Featured In

    Logos for being featured in.
    Web Stories

    Privacy Policy

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Stephanie's Sweet Treats

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Tumblr