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    Home » Recipes » Cupcakes

    Small Batch Chocolate Cupcakes

    Published: Feb 8, 2021 · Modified: Feb 7, 2021 by Anna · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 13 Comments

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    Easy and straightforward recipe for small batch of 4 chocolate cupcakes with chocolate buttercream. Perfect bake to satisfy all of your chocolate cravings in less than 30 minutes, without a need to bake a whole batch!

    straight ahead angle close up of cupcakes with buttercream and chocolate curls on top

    What makes these chocolate cupcakes so good?

    What's great about this recipe, is the fact that it produces exactly 4 perfect chocolate cupcakes. Ideal when you don't need or want to bake a whole batch.

    Just like with my one bowl vanilla cupcakes, these are made in one bowl, with only 7 basic ingredients. Just a perfect treat to satisfy all of your chocolate cravings, and ideal bake to share with your love on Valentine's Day!

    Each cupcake is full of chocolate flavour, with light and soft texture and moist crumb.

    One of the best things about these simple cupcakes is the fact that you can customise them. They can be topped up with your favourite type and flavour of buttercream, and you can also use a variety of fillings to add inside of the cupcakes.

    close up at a chocolate cupcake with buttercream unwrapped from its paper case
    super close up of chocolate cupcake sliced in half with filling in the middle

    How to make perfect cupcakes

    When making these small batch chocolate cupcakes, make sure to follow these few simple steps to get a perfect bake every time:

    • Use room temperature butter- take your butter out of the fridge and bring it to room temperature before you start baking (you can read more about the importance of this step in this post ). Beat the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy, about a minute or so.
    • Sieve the flour and cocoa powder- this will break up any clumps and prevent dry pockets from forming in the batter
    • Do not overmix your batter- once you add the flour and cocoa powder, mix it until they are just combined.
    • Use an ice cream or cookie scoop to measure the batter- this will help with having all the cupcakes in the same size
    • side angle photo of 4 small batch chocolate cupcakes in paper cases
    • overhead shot of chocolate cupcake filled with dulce de leche

    You can fill the cupcakes with your favourite spread, jam or sauce, although it is totally optional (I'm using dulce de leche in this version). If you want to add the filling, simply scoop out small hole in the middle of the cupcake with a spoon (or use the back of piping nozzle) and add the filling.

    Tips for making the buttercream

    I'm using the chocolate buttercream as a topping (same buttercream as the one from my Dark Chocolate Traybake, but halved), but feel free to use your favourite type of buttercream, if you wish.

    When making this buttercream, you will need to melt your chocolate first. You can use a heatproof bowl placed over a pan with gently simmering water to melt it, or use microwave if you prefer. Once it is melted, set it aside to cool just for few minutes.

    • top view of chocolate cupcakes being topped with chocolate buttercream
    • overhead shot of 3 chocolate cupcakes topped with chocolate buttercream

    It's important to whip the softened butter for good 2- 3 minutes, before adding vanilla and icing sugar to it. This will create that lovely, silky-smooth buttercream, with soft and light texture.

    Once your buttercream is ready, transfer it to a piping bag fitted with nozzle ( I used Wilton 1M). If you find the texture of buttercream to be too soft, simply place the bag in the fridge for 5- 10 minutes to firm it up.

    a side angle photo of a single chocolate cupcake on a small white cupcake stand

    How long do cupcakes keep?

    Store them in the airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

    side angle photo of 3 cupcakes with only one of them in focus

    As always, thank you for reading today's post. If you try this or any other of my recipes, leave me a comment and a rating below. I love hearing from you guys! To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can use the button on the recipe card, the buttons above or below this post, or on any of the photos above.

    45 degree angle super close up at a chocolate cupcake topped with chocolate buttercream
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 13 votes

    Small Batch Chocolate Cupcakes

    This easy recipe makes 4 perfect and delicious chocolate cupcakes. Ideal when you don't want to bake a whole batch, and perfect to share with your love on Valentine's Day.
    Prep Time30 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: British
    Keyword: chocolate cupcake, chocolate cupcakes, small batch cupcakes
    Servings: 4 cupcakes
    Calories: 305kcal
    Author: Anna Wierzbinska

    Equipment

    • 4 x cupcake liners
    • cupcake baking tin
    • electric mixer
    • heatproof bowl

    Ingredients

    • 60 g unsalted butter room temperature
    • 60 g caster sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 large egg
    • 40 g self-rising flour
    • 20 g cocoa powder
    • 4 teaspoon dulce de leche, for the filling (optional)

    For the chocolate buttercream:

    • 100 g dark chocolate
    • 170 g unsalted butter room temperature
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 135 g icing/ powdered sugar sifted
    Metric - US Customary
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 170C (160C fan). Place the cupcake liners into the baking tin and set aside. In a bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until combined, about 1 minute. Add vanilla and egg and mix until combined, about 2 minutes. Sift in the flour and cocoa powder into the mixture and mix until just combined on a low speed. Divide the batter between 4 cupcake cases and bake for 15- 18 minutes until risen, and the toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
    • Meanwhile, prepare the buttercream. Place a heatproof bowl over a pan of gently simmering water, making sure that the bottom of the bowl doesn't come into contact with water. Add chopped chocolate and allow it to melt, stirring from time to time. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.
    • Using an electric mixer (or freestanding mixer with a paddle attachment), cream the butter until pale and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the vanilla, turn the speed to low and add the icing sugar. Once combined, increase the speed to medium high and beat until smooth and silky, about 3 minutes. Make sure to scrape the sides and the bottom of the bowl. Add melted chocolate and mix on low speed until fully combined. Transfer the buttercream into a piping bag fitted with your favourite nozzle.
    • If using dulce de leche for the filling, simply scoop out the small hole in the middle top of each cupcake and spoon in a little of dulce de leche. Pipe the buttercream onto each cake & enjoy!

    Please note that all my recipes are developed and tested in metric grams. I recommend that you use digital scales for a more accurate results. I have provided a conversion to US customary in the recipe but please note that I haven’t tested using this method.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Serving: 120g | Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 59g | Saturated Fat: 36g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 171mg | Sodium: 31mg | Potassium: 299mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 1514IU | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 4mg
    Have you this recipe yet?Mention @anna_wierzbinska or tag #annabananaco! I love seeing your take on my recipes!

    If you would like to receive new recipes straight to your inbox, make sure to sign up to my mailing list!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda

      July 06, 2021 at 7:05 am

      5 stars
      Loving these small-batch cupcakes. They're so easy to make, delicious, and you can nibble more than one!

      Reply
      • Anna

        July 08, 2021 at 12:14 pm

        Hi Linda, thanks so much for this positive review, I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed these chocolate cupcakes!

        Reply
    2. Brittany Fiero

      July 05, 2021 at 11:07 pm

      5 stars
      I love this recipe. Making a small batch is perfect for small occasions and less overwhelming. Plus, these are flavorful!

      Reply
      • Anna

        July 08, 2021 at 12:13 pm

        Thanks Britt, that's so lovely to hear, really happy that you enjoyed the recipe. I completely agree about the small batch, sometimes it is all that is needed!

        Reply
    3. Julia

      July 05, 2021 at 8:49 am

      5 stars
      I love it that you can make just a few cupcakes. Sometimes you know that you're not going to get through a dozen of them when there are only 3 of you home. Love the addition of the dulce leche. Thank you.

      Reply
    4. Millie Mae

      July 05, 2021 at 7:59 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for this Easy and straightforward recipe! They are delicious!

      Reply
      • Anna

        July 05, 2021 at 11:31 am

        Pleasure all mine Millie! Glad you enjoyed them!

        Reply
    5. Marketa

      February 15, 2021 at 5:28 pm

      Thank you Anna, it worked out just perfect!

      Reply
      • Anna

        February 15, 2021 at 5:59 pm

        My pleasure, and great to hear that you enjoyed them!

        Reply
    6. Marketa

      February 08, 2021 at 4:21 pm

      Hello Anna. Is it ok if I use regular flour instead of self-rising one? Thank you.

      Reply
      • Anna

        February 08, 2021 at 9:05 pm

        Hey Marketa! You can use plain/ regular/ all purpose flour in this recipe, but you will need to add some baking powder to the ingredients (self-rising flour already has raising agents added). I would recommend adding 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/3 tsp salt to your flour. This should substitute self-rising flour well. Let me know if you try this and what results you've had! Happy baking!

        Reply
      • Geetanjali Tung

        July 06, 2021 at 11:02 am

        5 stars
        It came out just perfect. Thanks!

        Reply
        • Anna

          July 08, 2021 at 12:19 pm

          Pleasure all mine, thanks for trying the recipe!

          Reply

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    Welcome to Anna Banana! I'm Anna, the face and the voice behind this blog. I'm here mainly to satisfy your sweet cravings. This is where you will find recipes for delicious bakes, irresistible treats and desserts. Occasionally, something savoury too.

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