This easy chocolate cupcake recipe was created by Mary Berry, and creates rich, indulgent cupcakes that are easy to achieve in your own kitchen.
Whether you're looking for simple chocolate fairy cakes for a party or an easy chocolate cupcake recipe for everyday baking, this Mary Berry chocolate cupcake recipe is soon to be your go-to recipe for 5-star rich, gorgeously-moreish cupcakes every time.
In just half an hour, this quick and easy cupcake recipe will make a delicious batch of 12 delicious chocolate cupcakes, ready to pipe with your favourite topping.
Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C/gas mark 5. Line a muffin tin with paper cases. Sift the cocoa powder into a bowl, pour in the boiling water and mix into a thick paste. This may look curdled - this is normal (the image below shows what this paste should look like).
Tip: muffin cases will give you a deeper cupcake.
Ingredients for this step
40gCocoa powder
4 tbspWater (boiling)
Step 2
Add the eggs, butter, golden caster sugar, self-raising flour and baking powder into the cocoa powder and water mix. Mix with an electric hand whisk (or beat with a wooden spoon) until the mixture is smooth.
Ingredients for this step
3Free range large egg whites
175gUnsalted butter (softened)
165gBillington's Unrefined Golden Caster Sugar
115gAllinson's self-raising flour
1 tspBaking Powder
Step 3
Divide the cake mixture equally between the 12 paper cases. Bake in a preheated oven for about 14-15 minutes until the cupcakes are risen and springy to the touch. Cool in the cases on a wire rack.
Tip: try using an ice cream scoop to ensure that you have evenly portioned cupcakes.
Step 4
To make the chocolate buttercream icing, melt the butter and pour it into a bowl. Sift in the cocoa powder and icing sugar a little at a time and stir to make a glossy and spreadable chocolate buttercream. If the icing is too thick, gradually add the milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
Alternatively, you can make a delicious chocolate fudge buttercream using Silver Spoon Chocolate Fudge Flavoured Icing Sugar. Simply blend the flavoured icing sugar with 100g of unsalted softened butter until smooth and creamy. For this method, refer to our alternative method ingredients list.
Ingredients for this step
60gUnsalted Butter (Softened)
40gCocoa powder
3 tbspMilk (whole)
250gSilver Spoon Icing Sugar
A handfulDecorations
Step 5
To finish, fill a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle with the chocolate buttercream and pipe swirls onto the cupcakes then sprinkle with chocolate decorations and leave to set before serving.
Top Tips
If you're looking for a deeper cupcake, use muffin cases.
Try using an ice cream scoop to ensure that you have evenly portioned cupcakes.
See our video of how to make the perfect buttercream.
For those that love coffee, our coffee buttercream recipe is another delicious topping for your cupcakes
Variations
If you loved our Mary Berry Cupcakes recipe and are looking for more quick and simple cupcakes, then see what else we have to offer below! Or see our full cupcake recipe collection.
Vanilla Cupcakes for the lightest, fluffy vanilla sponge topped with the smoothest, vanilla buttercream
These rich chocolate cupcakes are perfect to decorate for any occasion, all year round. Simply top with chocolate buttercream, then add Mini Eggs. Alternatively, add a quarter of a teaspoon of Hundreds And Thousands to the top of each cupcake's buttercream topping.
How to make your cupcakes moist and fluffy
If you want your cupcakes to stay moist for longer, brush your cooled sponges with a simple sugar syrup made from two parts granulated sugar to one part boiling water. After you’ve added the sugar syrup, top the cupcakes with your buttercream icing and enjoy.
How to make Easter cupcakes
Turn your Mary Berry chocolate cupcakes into cute Easter nests with just a few easy steps! Use Silver Spoon’s icing sugar and follow the method above to whip up the smoothest, most delicious chocolate buttercream. Decorate with pastel mini eggs to replicate a birds nest for a lovely Easter themed treat.
How to make Halloween cupcakes
Turn your Mary Berry chocolate cupcakes into spooky Halloween treats with just a few easy steps! Use Silver Spoon’s chocolate fudge icing sugar and follow the instructions on the pack to whip up the smoothest, most delicious chocolate buttercream. For a fun bat design, top each cupcake with an Oreo for the body, and pipe black and white icing to create little bat eyes. It’s cute, creepy, and absolutely delicious!
How to make Christmas cupcakes
Transform our versatile Mary Berry chocolate cupcakes recipe into adorable Christmas cupcakes. Simply add some edible eyes, a small ball of red fondant icing (or red smartie) and some broken pretzels for antlers and you have the cutest Christmas reindeer cupcakes. Alternatively, crushed up some candy canes and sprinkle on top for a simple, yet indulgent looking Christmas treat.
