Baking doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Does it? No, it doesn’t. Sometimes you should just pick a recipe out of your tried-and-true recipe box and make a sweet treat without over-thinking it. That’s exactly what I did when I made these chocolate cupcakes. My mind had settled on something chocolaty, and something that I knew I was comfortable baking. No new recipes, just tried-and-true.
Sweet Chocolate Cupcakes
1/4 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
1 1/4 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. margarine, softened
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. espresso powder
2 tbsp. cocoa powder
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. sour milk
1/2 c. hot water
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Line 1 to 1 1/2dozen cupcake cups with cupcake papers. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
In a large bowl, add butter, sugar, eggs, and melted chocolate chips. Mix until completely blended with electric mixer. Add baking powder, baking soda, salt, espresso powder, and cocoa; mix again. Add flour, milk and hot water; mix thoroughly. Add vanilla; beat again until batter is light and fluffy.
Fill cupcake papers about 2/3 full. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick comes clean when inserted into the center of a cupcake. Remove from oven and cool on bakers rack.
Baker’s note: This is a thin cupcake batter, but don’t worry, the cupcakes will turn out just fine.
Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting
1 c. heavy whipping cream
3 tbsp. chocolate pudding mix
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Place ingredients in a chilled bowl and beat on high until cream thickens. Spread frosting on cooled cupcakes. Keep cupcakes in refrigerator prior to serving.
If you’d like to see what these cupcakes look like on the inside, check out this link. I have posted these cupcakes before, but the last time I made them I added cinnamon, and eliminated the espresso powder. I also frosted them with a buttercream icing that favored a hint of cinnamon.
What’s the last tried-and-true recipe you made?
THE JOY OF CAKING 
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Definitely baking does not have to be difficult! Your cupcakes sound delicious:-) I love the cupcake liners you used, they are so fun! Hugs, Terra
My favorite tried and true recipe is Sweet Potato Pound Cake. Since I’ve been blogging I often hesitate about posting repeat recipes, thanks for the delicious reminder. Love the wrappers!
Yum, yum, yum! Those look beyond amazing!
These look absolutely beautiful! Wish I could reach into the screen and grab one to eat right now!
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Simple recipes are sometimes the best! These cupcakes look awesome!!!
These look so good! Love your photos too!
I’m looking for a new chocolate cupcake recipe and I think I’ve found it!
Reblogged this on The wallflower and commented:
Reblogging for future reference…
Eileen….these cupcakes are just beautiful! Don’t you just love tried and true recipes. Honestly, I’m trying to think of any recipes that I’ve really made more than once! But none come to mind! Though chocolate cupcakes are my absolute favorites…and these look scrumptious!