Ultimate Chocolate Cupcakes with Ultimate Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate (chips or chopped)
Cupcakes
1/2 cup (1 stick or 115g) unsalted butter
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks or 345g) unsalted butter
Cupcakes
2 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate
2 large eggs, at room temperature
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
Cupcakes
3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
2 cups (250g) confectioners sugar
Cupcakes
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
1/4 cup (30g) unsweetened cocoa powder
Cupcakes
1/2 cup (115g) sour cream, room temperature
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
4 to 5 tablespoons brewed hot coffee
Cupcakes
1/2 cup (42g) unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup (95g) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Cupcakes
Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. This recipe makes 12-14 cupcakes, so prepare one pan (or maybe two) with cupcake liners.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Melt chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds. (should be about 1 1/2 minutes total)
Cupcakes
Melt the butter and chocolate together in the microwave. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between each time. Set aside.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Place room temperature butter and cream cheese in a stand mixer, starting on low, then increasing speed to medium-high. Cream together until light, fluffy, and a pale yellow.
Cupcakes
In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment; add the eggs, sugar, vanilla, and sour cream and whisk on medium speed until smooth. (about 1 minute)
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
In a separate bowl, add 4 tablespoons of hot coffee to cocoa and stir. If the mixture is still very thick, you can add 1 more tablespoon of hot coffee.
Cupcakes
In a medium sized bowl, sift the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together until thoroughly combined.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Turn the mixer off and add in cooled chocolate and cocoa/coffee mixture.
Cupcakes
Add the cooled butter/chocolate to the stand mixer and whisk until smooth, about 30 seconds.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Turn mixer on to the lowest setting and add in confectioners sugar, 1 cup at a time. Once incorporated, turn mixer on high for 1-2 minutes.
Cupcakes
Slowly add in the flour mixture, about 1/4 cup at a time with the stand mixer on low.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Frosting will darken as it sets.
Cupcakes
As soon as you are done adding the flour turn the mixer off. (You do not want to over-mix!)
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Make sure cupcakes are cool before frosting.
Garnish with sprinkles (chocolate jimmies) if you want!
Cupcakes
The batter will be very thick.
Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 of the way full with batter. Bake for 15-18 minutes. The center of the cupcake should spring back up if gently pressed.
