Easy Chocolate Cupcakes

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect moist chocolate cupcake recipe that’s quick, easy, and absolutely indulgent, you’ve landed in the right spot. These Easy Chocolate Cupcakes are so rich, soft, and flavorful that no one will ever guess they started from a box! The secret? A combination of instant chocolate pudding and sour cream for bakery-quality results in your own kitchen.

While boxed cake mixes offer convenience, they can sometimes fall short on flavor and texture. By “doctoring” the mix — adding a few strategic ingredients — you completely transform it. Here’s why this recipe is a game-changer:

• Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix: Adds depth, richness, and helps lock in moisture.
• Sour Cream: Makes the crumb tender and moist without being greasy.
• Extra Eggs and Oil: Give the cupcakes structure and richness that rivals any from-scratch recipe.
• Espresso Powder (Optional): Intensifies the chocolate flavor without tasting like coffee.

So, now that you know the secret, let’s get started.

Making Easy Chocolate Cupcakes

Start by preheating your oven to 350° and line two muffin pans with cupcake liners. Set aside for now.

Next, in a large bowl, beat together the eggs, sour cream, vegetable oil, water, and instant espresso granules. Give the beaters enough time to dissolve the coffee granules and combine the ingredients.

Don’t worry that this little amount of coffee will make your chocolate taste like coffee. It’s really just the opposite. The small amount of coffee flavor mixed with chocolate has this amazing ability to intensify the chocolatey flavors already there.

Now, if you don’t have any instant coffee, or you’re not supposed to have coffee, you can skip this ingredient, but I highly recommend it otherwise.

Then, with the beaters on LOW, stir in the pudding mix, then the cake mix. Allow this to combine just until everything is mixed. In other words, don’t over mix.

Divide the batter into the 24 cupcake liners and bake for 15 – 20 minutes.

How do I know when they’re done?

Always the question of the day. You don’t want to over-bake them, or they’ll be dry. If you under-bake them, the center might be a little raw. Here are two ways to check.

First, use the old tried-n-true toothpick test. This means to insert a clean dry toothpick into the center of a cupcake. When you pull the toothpick out, and if it’s done, the toothpick should be clean and dry. There may also be tiny crumbs, which is ok, too.

If the toothpick comes out wet, well then, set your timer for another couple minutes, then try again, but with a fresh clean toothpick.

Second, tap on the top of a cupcake with your finger. Yes, it will be very warm, but shouldn’t burn your finger. If it bounces back, it’s done. If it leaves a little indent, set the timer for another couple minutes, then test again. Make sure you test on a different cupcake, though. You already put a dent in the first one. LOL

Let the cupcakes cool in the muffin pans for 10 minutes, then remove them to cool completely on a wire rack.

Ever wonder why recipes always say you should cool food on a wire rack?

Because the steam can release from below as well as above — air can circulate around the cupcake preventing moisture buildup.

For example: setting a hot cupcake on a countertop traps the hot steam in the bottom and can give them soggy bottoms. Wire racks give them room to breathe.

Once the cupcakes are completely cool, they’re ready for frosting, and boy, did I have fun with frosting last week.

Frosting Ideas:

Last week I published my Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes, which are scrumptious. The cupcake recipe is slightly different; both are ridiculously good, both use a cake mix. The best part? — the peanut butter frosting can be used on both.

Then I started playing with frosting. Yummy! What a wonderful job I have. Here are a few I came up with to perfectly compliment these Easy Chocolate Cupcakes.

• Marshmallow Fluff Frosting
• Coffee Buttercream
• Salted Caramel Frosting
• Cream Cheese Frosting (coming soon)
• Any Flavor Pudding Frosting
• Cherry Cloud Frosting
• or search the word “frosting” in the search bar where you can pick and choose your favorite.

If you tried and love this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating on the recipe card and consider leaving a comment below. Thank you so much.

Easy Chocolate Cupcakes

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