Yield: 12-14 mini cupcakes

Mini Chocolate Cupcakes

image of mini chocolate cupcakes frosted with a chocolate buttercream and topped with nonpareil sprinkles

These mini chocolate cupcakes are bite-sized, super moist and topped with a delicious chocolate buttercream frosting!!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 9 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 29 minutes

Ingredients

Chocolate Cupcakes

  • 1/4 cup buttermilk (60g)
  • 2 Tbsp milk or dark chocolate chips (20g)
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour (32g)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50g)
  • 2 Tbsp baking cocoa powder (12g)
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda (1g)
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt (1g)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature (56g)
  • 2 Tbsp vegetable oil (28g)
  • 1/4 tsp white vinegar (1g)
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract (1g)

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) salted butter, room temperature (56g)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (2g)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar (62g)
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder (20g)
  • 2 Tbsp heavy cream or milk (30g)
  • 1/4 cup dark chocolate, melted and cooled (40g)

Optional Toppings

  • 1/4 cup sprinkles (45g)

Suggested Equipment

Instructions

Mini Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F / 175°C and place 12 mini cupcake liners in a mini cupcake pan. Set aside.
  2. Add 1/4 cup buttermilk and 2 Tbsp chocolate chips into a heatproof bowl. Heat in the microwave for 15-30 seconds or over a double boiler until the chocolate has melted.
  3. Whisk together until the ingredients have combined, making sure all the chocolate is melted.
  4. Add 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 Tbsp cocoa powder, 1/4 tsp baking soda and 1/4 tsp salt into chocolate mixture and stir until combined.
  5. Add 1 large egg, 2 Tbsp vegetable oil, 1/4 tsp vinegar and 1/4 tsp vanilla. Mix just until the batter is smooth.
  6. Fill the mini cupcake liners 3/4 full and bake for about 9-10 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. If you have leftover batter, let it sit at room temp and bake a second batch once the first has baked.
  7. Let the cupcakes cool for 5 minutes in the pan before moving them to a cooling rack to finish cooling.

Small Batch Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

  1. Mix 1/4 cup of salted butter and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract together into a medium sized bowl.
  2. Slowly stir in 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, and 2 Tbsp of heavy cream or milk.
  3. Pour in 1/4 cup of melted and cooled chocolate into the buttercream and mix until combined.
  4. If the frosting seems too thick, add an extra tsp of heavy cream. If it's too thin, add in another Tbsp of powdered sugar.
  5. Place the frosting into a small piping bag fit with your favorite frosting tip and pipe a dollop of frosting onto each cupcake. Top with sprinkles if desired and enjoy!

Notes

These mini chocolate cupcake can be made in advance! If stored unfrosted in an airtight container, they can last for:

  • 1 day at room temperature
  • Up to a week in the fridge
  • Up to 3 months in the freezer

If you have extra buttercream you don't use, it can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container or piping bag for up to a month.

Nutrition Information

Yield

12

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 125Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 21mgSodium 99mgCarbohydrates 16gFiber 1gSugar 10gProtein 3g