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Perfect Yellow Cupcakes with Amazing Chocolate Buttercream


  • Author: WAFA LI

Ingredients

Scale

For the yellow cupcakes:

  • 1½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (1 stick / 115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs + 1 egg yolk (room temperature)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup whole milk (room temperature)

For the chocolate buttercream:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks / 225g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ⅔ cup (55g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 34 cups (360–480g) powdered sugar
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 24 tbsp heavy cream or whole milk
  • 1½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Cupcakes:

  1. Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Cream butter & sugar: Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (~3 min).
  4. Add eggs & vanilla: Mix in eggs and yolk one at a time, then vanilla.
  5. Alternate additions: Add flour mixture in 3 parts, alternating with milk in 2 parts, beginning and ending with flour. Mix just until combined.
  6. Fill liners ⅔ full.
  7. Bake 18–20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

Chocolate Buttercream:

  1. Beat butter until creamy (~2 min).
  2. Sift in cocoa powder; mix until combined.
  3. Gradually add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, alternating with cream/milk as needed for consistency.
  4. Add salt and vanilla; beat 2–3 minutes until fluffy and smooth.
  5. Pipe or spread onto cooled cupcakes. Optional: top with sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or a mini chocolate chip!
💡 Pro Tips:
Room-temperature ingredients ensure even mixing and rise.
– For deeper chocolate flavor, use Dutch-process cocoa.
– Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temp up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness (bring to room temp before serving).

Prep Time & Nutrition (per cupcake, makes 12):

Prep Time: 20 min | Cook Time: 20 min | Total Time: 40 min
Servings: 12 | Calories: 280 | Net Carbs: 36g | Fats: 16g | Protein: 3g