There’s nothing quite like sinking your teeth into a decadent chocolate cupcake. And they’re even better when they’re homemade.
If you’re a chocoholic, today’s post is right up your street as we dive into some of Martha Stewart’s best chocolate cupcake recipes.
We’re going to share some easy, classic recipes and some that are a little more indulgent.
Get those mixing bowls ready.
Straightforward Chocolate Cupcake Recipes From Martha Stewart
Let’s kick off with some super straightforward chocolate cupcakes from Martha Stewart’s collection – these are perfect no matter how much baking experience you have.
This recipe is a classic, combining the rich flavors of cocoa with the light, fluffy texture that only sour cream can provide.
The process begins with sifting together cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. The butter and sugar are then creamed until light and fluffy.
Eggs are added one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next, followed by vanilla extract.
The dry ingredients and sour cream are alternated in the mixture – this method helps maintain a balanced moisture content, resulting in a batter that’s not too thick nor too runny.
After baking and cooling, your cupcakes are ready to be topped with a simple yet delightful white icing.
The sprinkles are optional, but we think it’s worth taking the time to add them.
Psst – did you know you can turn these into cupcake pops?
The Easy Chocolate Cupcakes recipe mirrors the simplicity and elegance of Martha Stewart’s baking philosophy.
With a similar base of unsweetened cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and kosher salt, these cupcakes promise a rich chocolate experience.
The creaming of butter and sugar, followed by the addition of eggs and vanilla, creates a smooth, flavorful batter.
The addition of sour cream alternated with the dry ingredients ensures a moist, tender crumb.
Once baked and cooled, the cupcakes are adorned with a luxurious dark chocolate frosting, piped on to add both beauty and a deeper chocolate flavor.
The chocolate sprinkles not only serve as a garnish but also add texture and an extra chocolate kick, making these cupcakes a straightforward yet irresistible treat.
Martha Stewart’s One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes are a marvel of baking simplicity and efficiency.
Cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt are combined, followed by the wet ingredients: eggs, warm water, buttermilk, safflower oil, and vanilla extract.
The result is a smooth, pourable batter that promises a moist, richly flavored cupcake.
Bake these delights until they spring back when touched.
The beauty of this recipe lies not just in the taste but also in the minimal cleanup required, making it a favorite for busy bakers and beginners alike.
This chocolate-filled cupcakes recipe offers a delightful twist on the classic cupcake, incorporating the rich flavor of bittersweet chocolate encased in a soft, vanilla-infused cake.
This recipe is perfect for those who love the combination of vanilla and chocolate, providing a surprise chocolate center in each bite.
To create these cupcakes, you start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and preparing a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
The cake batter is made by creaming together softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. To this, egg whites, whole milk, pure vanilla extract, and the seeds scraped from vanilla beans are added, ensuring a rich vanilla flavor throughout the cake.
The dry ingredients— all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a touch of coarse salt—are then mixed in just until the batter is smooth, careful not to overmix.
Each muffin cup is filled about three-quarters full with the batter, into which a chunk of bittersweet chocolate is added and pushed halfway down into the batter to ensure it remains encased as the cupcakes bake.
The cupcakes are then baked until they are pale golden brown, taking about 24 minutes. Once slightly cooled, a dusting of confectioners’ sugar adds a sweet, finishing touch.
Chocolate Cupcakes That Will Impress
Up next, we have a selection of chocolate cupcakes that are a little bit more complex, but they’re worth every additional ingredient and step!
These Raspberry-Filled Molten Chocolate Cupcakes are a perfect blend of textures and flavors, offering a delightful surprise with each bite.
The process begins by creaming together unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, a crucial step to ensure the cupcakes will have a tender crumb.
Eggs are then added one at a time. The dry ingredients are beaten in next, followed by the star of the show: melted semisweet chocolate.
This results in a rich, decadent batter that serves as the base for the cupcakes.
The batter is poured into lined muffin tins, but the true magic happens with the addition of raspberries into the center of each cupcake before they’re covered with more batter.
This technique ensures that each cupcake, once baked, reveals a molten raspberry center that perfectly complements the chocolate’s richness.
Baked until just set, these cupcakes are then cooled and dusted with confectioners’ sugar for a sweet finish.
The Chocolate Cupcakes with Whipped Ganache Frosting start with a rich, moist base that uses unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder for a deep chocolate flavor.
The addition of buttermilk and safflower oil to the batter ensures that the cupcakes are not only flavorful but also have a soft, tender crumb.
This recipe carefully balances the dry and wet ingredients to create a smooth batter that’s poured into lined muffin pans and baked until springy to the touch.
After cooling, the cupcakes are transformed with the addition of whipped ganache frosting, a luxurious topping that’s both silky and rich.
Making the ganache involves melting chocolate and mixing it with heated cream until smooth, then chilling it until set before whipping it to a fluffy consistency.
This whipped ganache is then generously applied to each cupcake, creating a visually appealing and deliciously rich frosting layer.
These chocolate heart cupcakes are an exquisite treat that combines the richness of chocolate with the sweet, aromatic flavor of vanilla-bean milk frosting.
The cupcakes themselves are made with a blend of Dutch-process cocoa powder and finely chopped semisweet chocolate, which are then mixed with unsweetened pure cherry or pomegranate juice to add a subtle fruity undertone.
The dry ingredients are whisked together before being combined with the cocoa mixture, melted butter, and eggs, resulting in a batter that’s rich yet balanced, poured into muffin cups and baked until just set.
Once cooled, a heart-shaped cutter is used to remove a piece from the top of each cupcake, which is then filled with a luscious vanilla bean milk frosting.
This not only adds a visual appeal but also introduces a creamy texture and fragrant vanilla flavor that perfectly complements the chocolate base.
The heart cutout is then placed back on top, creating a delightful contrast in textures and flavors.
These cupcakes are an ideal choice for special occasions, offering a sophisticated twist on the classic chocolate cupcake.
Milk-chocolate pudding cupcakes offer a multi-layered chocolate experience that’s both comforting and sophisticated.
The cupcakes start with a batter enriched with melted bittersweet chocolate and whole milk, creating a moist, tender foundation that’s deeply flavored.
Once baked and cooled, the real innovation comes with filling each cupcake with homemade milk chocolate pudding, injecting a smooth, creamy heart into the center of the already delicious base.
This process not only adds a surprise element but also enhances the cupcakes’ moistness and adds a rich, pudding-like texture that melds beautifully with the soft crumb of the cake.
Topped with a silky milk chocolate ganache, each cupcake is transformed into a decadent treat that balances the intensity of bittersweet chocolate with the sweetness and creaminess of the pudding and ganache.
Optional chocolate curls can be added for an extra touch of elegance and a slight crunch.
These German Chocolate Cupcakes are a luxurious twist on the classic cake, featuring a rich, chocolatey base topped with the traditional coconut-pecan frosting.
The process begins with preparing the muffin tins with butter and dusting them with cake flour, ensuring the cupcakes will be released easily after baking.
The dry ingredients—cake flour, baking soda, and salt—are whisked together, setting the stage for a fine, tender crumb.
The batter is made by creaming together butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, then adding eggs one at a time to maintain the mixture’s smooth consistency.
Vanilla is mixed in for flavor, followed by alternating additions of the dry ingredients and buttermilk, creating a balanced and moist batter.
The melted semisweet chocolate is the final addition, giving the cupcakes their deep chocolate flavor.
Once baked and cooled, the cupcakes are carefully sliced in half to be filled with coconut-pecan frosting, a delightful combination of sweet, nutty, and creamy textures.
More frosting is spread on top, making these cupcakes not just a treat for the taste buds but also a visually appealing dessert that’s perfect for sharing.
Final Thoughts
Martha Stewart’s chocolate cupcake recipes are a treasure trove for anyone who loves to bake, offering a perfect mix of classic and innovative ideas.
Whether you’re whipping up a batch of raspberry-filled delights, getting fancy with whipped ganache, or trying out the unique flavors of German or Mexican chocolate, there’s joy and a bit of challenge in every recipe.
So, grab your apron, and let’s make baking memories with these irresistible chocolate cupcakes.
I'm Barbara Hunt, the founder of WomenChefs.org. Being a mom of two, I understand the challenges of meal planning and the monotony it can bring.
That's why I created WomenChefs.org, a platform dedicated to showcasing the skills and delicious dishes crafted by amazing women. My goal is to provide a space where women can find delectable recipes that tantalize their taste buds and ignite their senses.
I hope you'll join me in exploring WomenChefs.org and discovering your next favorite recipe. Let's embrace culinary diversity and try something new together!
