I’ve been biding my time, waiting for the right day to share these Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream frosting with you.
Today is that day, my friends. Let’s finish the week on a strong note.
What can I say about these cupcakes? Honestly, I’m a little bit in love with them.
The dark chocolate cake is perfectly chocolatey and moist.
And the frosting? Gahhh, the frosting…
It’s a classic buttercream frosting with quite a bit of raspberry preserves swirled right in. The preserves make it a beautiful pink color. No food coloring required, here!
Both the cake and frosting are modified versions of those found in Joy the Baker’s cookbook, Homemade Decadence. If you haven’t picked up a copy, I highly recommend that you do! Full disclosure: this is an affiliate link. I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you purchase the cookbook through that link.
- 3 cups cake flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tbs vanilla extract
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 tbs vanilla extract
- 5-6 cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tbs heavy cream or milk
- 1/3 cup raspberry preserves
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners. Depending on how many muffin tins you have, you may need to work in batches. Set aside.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, dark cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugars together. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well between additions. Add the vanilla extract.
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Alternate between adding some of the dry ingredients with the buttermilk. After the last addition, mix until just combined. Scrape down the sides, making sure to get the bottom, too. Turn on the stand mixer for another 30 seconds - 1 minute, just for good measure.
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Fill the liners 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 20-25 minutes (make sure to start checking after 20!), or until a knife/toothpick, when inserted into the center of the cupcake, comes out clean.
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Allow the cupcakes to cool for 10 minutes in the muffin tin, then remove and place them on a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
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Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until it is softened (about 1 minute).
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Add 2 cups of the powdered sugar and beat on low speed until well combined.
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Add another 2 cups of powdered sugar along with 1 tbs of heavy cream/milk. Beat until combined.
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Add the remaining 1-2 cups of sugar (depending on your desired consistency) and remaining cream/milk and beat until the frosting reaches the desired thickness.
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Add the raspberry preserves and beat until thoroughly mixed through. Beat on medium speed until the frosting is smooth and fluffy (about 4 minutes).
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Frost the cupcakes however you like. I'm partial to piping roses with a Wilton 1M piping tip and piping bag.
You most definitely will not regret making and eating these. And your friends and family definitely will not be mad at you if you bake up a batch and bring them over.
Looking for more recipes that feature chocolate and raspberry? Check out my Triple Chocolate Raspberry Brownies and Skinny Banana Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins!
These cupcakes are beautiful! I love the combination of chocolate with raspberry. These are a must-make for me.
Thank you, Melissa!! I hope you love them!
I love pairing chocolate with all things fruit!! And that frosting – drooling over here. These may be the perfect cupcake!
Thanks so much, Joanne! I have to agree with you: they may be perfect 😉
Wow, these are so beautiful, like little pretty roses 🙂 The frosting sounds so good!
Thank you!! =D
Pretty sure I pinned these earlier today. They’re followiiiiiing meeeeeee! But seriously they are beautiful.
All in all, there are worse foods that could be following you 😉 Thank you!!
Wow, these looked absolutely beautiful! Can you just mail me some? I love the way the raspberry frosting looks on your cupcake.
Aw thank you, Hayley!!
I literally just made these, and they are the lightest and fluffiest cupcakes ever!! So amazing!!
Aren’t they the best?! So glad you like them!! Joy the Baker’s recipes never let me down =)
What changes need to be made for high altitude? I made this and all of my cupcakes sunk
Hey Stephanie. Sorry to hear that you had that problem! I’m not experienced with high altitude baking, but found these resources online: http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/nutrition-food-safety-health/?target=publications#alt
http://dish.allrecipes.com/high-altitude-cake-baking/
How would I change this recipe to make a cake?
Great question! This recipe also makes three 9-inch round cakes (to make a layer cake). Distribute the batter evenly between 3 round pans and bake 20-25 minutes (or until a toothpick, when inserted into the center, comes out clean).
Oh these cupcakes are just wonderful! I never tried chocolate raspberry, but I think it was until tonight)