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Easy Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe with Fluffy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting – classic chocolate cupcakes that are tender and moist, and won’t fall apart when you take a big bite. Topped with fluffy, melt in your mouth buttercream frosting with just a little bit of cream cheese added for stability and creaminess. Not just for Halloween!
My husband and our son Patrick have birthdays in late October. While Patrick was growing up, we often hosted Halloween themed birthday parties at the house. All Patrick’s friends came in costume, there was plenty to eat, they played games and ran wild all over the yard. Those were the days 🙂 Having a October birthday party meant I got to serve some kind of spooky dessert. I often made Dirt Cake decorated as a grave yard, which was always a favorite!
Make these easy chocolate cupcakes for someone special and share the love!
Now we have grandchildren and while they don’t need me giving them sweets, who can resist making just a little something every now and then? I’m Gram after all! If you’re a grandma, mom, super nice office co-worker, or family baker, you’ll love these super easy chocolate cupcakes made with an unexpected and brilliant ingredient – mayonnaise!
An unexpected ingredient helps make these chocolate cupcakes rich and moist – mayonnaise!
Mayonnaise is oil, vinegar and eggs after all, and since there is no other fat added to this recipe, it makes perfect sense! I’ve always wanted to try the Hellman’s Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake recipe so this was the perfect opportunity. I made some small, minor tweaks to the original recipe and cut it in half for fewer cupcakes. I’m really surprised how chocolatey they taste, and they’re not overly sweet. Sometimes buttercream frosting can overwhelm a cake, especially if it’s super sweet. This is not at all the case with our combination! If you prefer a non-chocolate cupcake, try our White Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream – another classic and delicious recipe.
While I don’t often use food color, I figured a little would’t hurt.
These cupcakes were made to mimic Indian Candy Corn which is the darker cousin to regular candy corn. Indian corn has a chocolate bottom instead of the traditional yellow. I’m not considered a candy corn nut, like some people I know (traveling husband!) but I love the fall colors and they are so darn cute!
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Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cupcakes:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ⅔ cup water
For the Vanilla Buttercream:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ounce cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 ½ to 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons whole milk
- pinch of salt
- orange gel food color if using
Instructions
To make the Chocolate Cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper liners. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt and espresso powder. Whisk until blended and set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the eggs, sugar and vanilla. Beat on high for 3 minutes or until creamy and lighter in color. Add the mayonnaise and blend on low speed until incorporated. Add about ¼ of the flour mixture and blend just until incorporated. Add ⅓ of the water and blend again on low. Repeat adding about ⅓ of the remaining flour, then half the remaining water. Start and end with the flour mixture divided into 4 additions, and the water in 3 additions. Scrape the sides and the bottom using a rubber spatula. Beat on low for another 30 seconds.
- Fill the muffin liners to a little more than ¾ full. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes then remove to a rack to cool completely. Frost as desired.
To make the buttercream frosting:
- Add the butter and cream cheese to a medium mixing bowl. Beat on medium-high until light and fluffy.
- With the mixer on low, add the vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon of the milk, and the salt. Beat another minute on low to combine. Add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and beat on medium-high for about 3 minutes or until the frosting is light and fluffy. Adjust by adding the remaining milk if needed, for desired consistency.
- If not using immediately, refrigerate and rewhip before using.
- To tint, remove half the frosting to a small bowl and add gel food color if using. Pipe on cupcakes as desired. Repeat with the plain buttercream in a clean piping bag. I used a Wilton 2A large round tip to frost the cupcakes.
Recipe Notes
- This recipe has only been tested with Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise and was adapted from a recipe on their website.
- This cake may also be baked in a 9-inch x 9-inch square baking pan. Grease and flour the pan and watch the baking time.
Nutrition
Looking for more Halloween treats? Check out this gorgeous Candy Corn Swirled Fudge from The Cafe Sucre Farine. And I love these Halloween Oreo Pops from Chelsea’s Messy Apron – so easy, quick and down right adorable! This simple recipe for Halloween Monster Mash Party Mix – from Coffee & Crayons makes me want to invite friends over! If you need lots of inspiration – don’t forget to follow my Halloween Pinterest Board – it’s loaded with great ideas for your next spooky party!
Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a terrific weekend.
Tricia
ERICA MI AMESTOY says
HELP. How many eggs go into the chocolate cupcake recipe? I was going along and was going to put the eggs in and realized eggs are not listed in the ingredient list.
Erica
Tricia Buice says
Hi Erica – I am very sorry I forgot to list the eggs. There are three eggs in these delicious cupcakes. I updated the recipe and hope this didn’t mess you up! Thanks for trying them.
Susan says
I’ve never tried a mayonnaise cake either but what an adorable reason to try it! Your cupcakes as SO stickin’ cute, Tricia! I know some little boys who would love them 🙂
Tricia Buice says
Thank you Susan – I bet they would love them too. The mayonnaise thing is pretty brilliant – they are perfect in flavor and texture – and I’m smitten 🙂
Shannon @loveatfirstbento says
Oh wow, these are gorgeous, and so fun & festive too! I love the candy corn decorations on top – I also had no idea there was an Indian candy corn, that’s so cool (I am definitely going to have to find some for myself now). I too have a late October birthday – maybe I’ll get lucky and someone will make these for me? 😛
And LOVE the use of mayonnaise in the cupcakes – what an interesting and unusual ingredient. Makes sense how it would work though. I learned so many interesting things from this post, thank you! And as always, stunning photography – I just love those closeup shots 😉
Tricia Buice says
Happy birthday Shannon! And thanks so much for commenting and stopping by. Your comments always make my day!!! Woohoo!
Wendy says
These ARE darn cute! I am a huge fan of Halloween cute instead of Halloween gruesome. I love the way you made the frosting look like candy corn. 🙂 A moist chocolate cupcake with colorful frosting IS a party. 🙂
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Wendy – I don’t often make “cute” but felt the urge this year. Must be all these little ones running around. Have a great week!
Monica says
Just perfect! I don’t think you often say Halloween cupcakes are ‘gorgeous’ but yours sure are. Love the whole vibe you have in the photos. I’m totally feeling it and want a few of these perfect chocolate cupcakes! Can’t wait to see all you have in store for Christmas time!! Have a wonderful weekend!
Tricia Buice says
Yeah! What a wonderful comment Monica 🙂 I wish I could give you a big hug right now!
Gerlinde @Sunnycovechef says
Yummy cute looking cupcakes, Tricia . They would be a big hit with the young and not so young .
Tricia Buice says
They were devoured by some of our favorite (adult) taste testers Gerlinde – and approved!
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
I think I need grandkids. But I also need these cupcakes!
Tricia Buice says
I think you do too! But in the meantime – cupcakes are good 🙂
Karly says
These are SO darn cute and look so delicious! Cannot wait to try ’em out!!
Tricia Buice says
Haha – thank you Karly!
@the_happy_whisk says
LOVE the photos and the Halloween fonts! Love ’em ????
Tricia Buice says
Thank you so much 🙂 Have a happy Halloween!
cheri says
These cupcakes are adorable Tricia! mayo is such a clever ingredient to use I bet these are delicious. I just spent 5 days and nights with my grandboys, taking it easy today;)
Tricia Buice says
Oh yeah Cheri! I know you enjoyed that – but I would have to rest too 🙂 Enjoy!
Monique says
Just so perfect..!
I am trying to figure out how I could turn them into Girl Guide Choco mint cupcakes:)Yes I just bought the cookies from our sweet neighbor:)
Tricia Buice says
Those sound wonderful Monique – hope you figure it out because I would love to see that. Hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
These are so adorable Tricia, your grand kids are so lucky to have a grandma like you! I love how you decorated them, they’d be a huge hit at a class party or a bake sale, I bet!
Tricia Buice says
Thank you Sue 🙂 I’m lucky to be their Gram.
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Beautiful and so festive! Love it 🙂 And of course, easy chocolate cupcakes are always welcome!
Tricia Buice says
Yes indeed Jennifer. Just the perfect amount of dessert and perfect for so many occasions. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your whole family 🙂
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
These are so beautiful and festive, Tricia. And you too have a wonderful weekend!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Angie!
Chris Scheuer says
These are absolutely adorable Tricia and they sound insanely delicious! I love the way they mimic candy corn, so fun! Pinning and sharing!
Tricia Buice says
Thank you Chris – they were fun to make 🙂 and eat!