Easy Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Ganache
Rich chocolate cupcakes made with cocoa powder and melted dark chocolate, filled with chocolate pieces that create pockets of texture. A soured cream batter keeps them moist, topped with a smooth chocolate ganache icing. Ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
- 11 oz dark chocolate, broken into chunks, do not use high cocoa content
- 1 ¾ cups self-rising flourall-purpose flour plus 2 tsp baking powder1:1flavor_neutraladds gluten
different rise
- 1 cup light muscovado sugarcaster sugar1:1lighter crumb
2
- 3 tbsp light muscovado sugarcaster sugar1:1lighter crumb
2
- 6 tbsp cocoa powder
- 10 tbsp sunflower oil, plus extra for greasing
- 1 ¼ cups soured cream
- 7 tbsp water
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- 1
Heat oven to 350°F/fan 325°F/gas 4 and line a 10-hole muffin tin with paper cases.
- 2
Process the dark chocolate into small pieces in a food processor.
- 3
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, sunflower oil, soured cream, eggs, and vanilla extract with water.
- 4
Whisk with electric beaters until smooth.
- 5
Stir in the processed chocolate pieces quickly.
- 6
Divide batter evenly between the 10 paper cases.
- 7
Bake for 20 minutes until a skewer inserted comes out clean, avoiding any chocolate chips.
- 8
Cool on a wire rack.
- 9
For the icing, combine remaining chocolate pieces, soured cream, and sugar in a small saucepan.
- 10
Heat gently while stirring until chocolate is melted and icing is smooth.
- 11
Chill icing in the fridge until firm enough to spread.
- 12
Swirl icing onto cooled cupcakes.
Tips
Use a muffin tin with 10 holes for consistent sizing.
Avoid poking skewer into chocolate chips when testing for doneness.
Chill the icing until it reaches a spreadable consistency before decorating.
Good to Know
Refrigerate covered up to 4 days.
Bake cupcakes up to 2 days ahead; store unfrosted. Make ganache icing up to 1 day ahead and chill.
Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Common Mistakes
Do not use high cocoa content chocolate to avoid bitter flavor.
Do not poke skewer into chocolate chips when testing doneness to avoid false reading.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
different rise