Blackout Cupcakes | The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (2024)

Shelly 90 Comments

★★★★★5 from 5 reviews

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These Blackout Cupcakes are literally stuffed with chocolate! Devil’s Food Cupcakes are filled with brownie batter filling and topped with a whipped chocolate ganache, brownies, chocolate chips and milk chocolate!

Blackout Cupcakes | The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (1)

Table of Contents

  • The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe
  • How to Make Blackout Chocolate Cupcakes
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    The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe

    So remember when I went to Texas a few weeks ago and ate my way through Austin?

    Well, there was one place on that trip that I dream about still.

    Gourdough’s Doughnut Truck.

    Honestly, the doughnuts are ginormous and the flavors are out of control amazing.

    So today is a whole day dedicated to recreating Gourdough’s Doughnuts! (Just wait until you get to the bottom of this post!)

    17 other girls and I decided to do the heavy lifting for you. Literally.

    Basically so you don’t have to go to Austin to get a big fat doughnut for yourself.

    Just call today a Doughnut PSA.

    Now, as the first picture shows, I didn’t make a doughnut.

    I know it makes no sense at all.

    But here’s the thing…when I was at Gourdough’s we ordered a Blackout Doughnut. Here’s the picture…

    Blackout Cupcakes | The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (2)The top left doughnut is the Blackout. It’s described as Brownie Batter, Chocolate Fudge Icing, Chocolate Covered Brownie Bites topped with Chocolate Syrup.

    As you can see in the picture it’s pah-ritty messy.

    What I kept thinking was how I loved the idea of the doughnut, but not necessarily in doughnut form.

    Annnd wouldn’t it make a fantastic cupcake.

    Welp. Y’all. It makes an INCREDIBLE cupcake.

    INCREDDDIBBBLLLEE.

    Those folks at Gourdoughs do know their flavor combos that’s for sure.

    Let’s take a look at my Blackout Cupcake ~ Inspired by Gourdough’s Doughnuts. No frying required.

    Blackout Cupcakes | The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (3)

    What we have is a Devil’s Food Cupcake, with Brownie Batter Filling, topped with a whipped chocolate ganache frosting and garnished with brownie pieces, chocolate chips and milk chocolate drizzle.

    Hubba. Hubba.

    Here’s how I did it.

    How to Make Blackout Chocolate Cupcakes

    I started by making the chocolate ganache. It takes some chill time so I actually made it a day in advance, but you don’t have to. A few hours will do.

    You’ll need 12 oz of semi-sweet chocolate. I used chips, but you could use finely chopped chocolate as well.

    Blackout Cupcakes | The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (4)

    Heat one cup of heavy cream until it almost comes to a boil and then pour it over the chocolate.

    The hot cream will melt the chocolate.

    Blackout Cupcakes | The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (5)

    Stir it until all the chocolate is melted and it’s gorgeous and silky smooth.

    Pop it into the fridge until it’s chilled through.

    Also, yes, I stuck my finger in it.

    Because I am gross.

    Blackout Cupcakes | The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (6)

    After that, scoop it out into the bowl of your mixer and whip it up until it’s smooth.

    Go ahead and make your cupcakes now. And let them cool.

    Next make your brownie batter filling. It’s super easy.

    Just take a cup of dry brownie mix…

    Blackout Cupcakes | The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (7)

    And mix it with some butter, powdered sugar and cream.

    Hollow out your cupcakes with a paring knife and then fill them with the brownie batter mix. I used a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off.

    Blackout Cupcakes | The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (8)

    Don’t worry about the top of the cupcake. You’re gonna cover it up with frosting.

    I mean unless you want to replace the top.

    I might have eaten the centers of mine.

    What?

    You can pipe your ganache on, or spread it with an off-set spatula.

    Blackout Cupcakes | The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (9)

    Then comes the garnish.

    I baked a small batch of brownies to use on mine, but I think in this case pre-packaged brownies will be just as easy.

    I mean, it’s just for garnish.

    Blackout Cupcakes | The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (10)

    Top the gorgeous ganache with brownies, chocolate chips and milk chocolate drizzle.Blackout Cupcakes | The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (11)

    Could there be a prettier cupcake?

    And let me tell you, it was SO delicious.

    Like SOOOOO.Blackout Cupcakes | The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (12)

    Print

    Blackout Cupcakes | The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (13)

    Blackout Cupcakes

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 5 reviews

    • Author: Shelly
    • Prep Time: 25 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20 minutes
    • Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
    • Yield: 15 cupcakes 1x
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: American

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    Description

    These Blackout Cupcakes are literally stuffed with chocolate! Devil’s Food Cupcakes are filled with brownie batter filling and topped with a whipped chocolate ganache, brownies, chocolate chips and milk chocolate!

    Ingredients

    Scale

    Chocolate Ganache Frosting

    • 12 oz semi sweet chocolate, either chips or finely chopped
    • 1 cup heavy cream

    Cupcakes

    • 1 cup cake flour
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 1/2 tsp baking soda
    • 1 tsp baking powder
    • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
    • 1/2 cup brewed coffee
    • 1/2 cup buttermilk
    • 1 egg
    • 1 tsp vanilla

    Brownie Batter Filling

    • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
    • 1 cup dry brownie mix
    • 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
    • 2 Tbsp heavy cream

    Garnish

    • Brownie pieces
    • chocolate chips
    • 3/4 cup milk chocolate, melted

    Instructions

    Chocolate Ganache Frosting

    1. Pour chocolate into a heat-safe bowl.
    2. In small saucepan heat the cream until it almost boils, but not quite. Pour hot cream over chocolate and let sit for 3-4 minutes. Stir the chocolate until it’s completely melted with the cream.
    3. Allow to chill in refrigerator for 2 hours to overnight. It will become a solid.

    Cupcakes

    1. Preheat oven to 325°
    2. Put all ingredients into stand mixer and beat for 3 minutes.
    3. Fill cupcake liners 1/2 way full and bake for 20 minutes until the centers spring back.
    4. Allow to cool completely.

    Brownie Batter Filling

    1. In bowl of stand mixer beat butter and brownie mix together until combined and smooth.
    2. Slowly add in powdered sugar and beat until combined.
    3. Finally beat in cream until incorporated.

    Assembly

    1. Hollow out the cupcakes using a paring knife and fill them with the brownie batter filling. I used a ziplock bag with the tip cut off for easy filling.
    2. Place chilled chocolate ganache into bowl of stand mixer and beat until fluffy and smooth. Fill piping bag with chocolate ganache and pipe onto cupcakes. Or you can easily spread it on with a knife instead of piping.
    3. Garnish cupcakes with brownie pieces, chocolate chips and drizzle with melted chocolate.

    Notes

    *if you would like to pipe the ganache on like I have in the pictures you will need to double the ganache recipe. But if you spread on a smaller amount, the recipe as written will be perfect.

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    Helpful Tip… Out of buttermilk?

    Blackout Cupcakes | The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (14)

    Now I have something extra for you!

    A fun group of girls got together and recreated more of Gourdough’s great flavors!

    And I bet they all followed the rules and actually made doughnuts.

    I’m such a rebel.

    Anyhow, hop over and check out the ridiculous creations. You’re gonna wanna make all these at home.

    Blackout Cupcakes | The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (15)

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    Blackout Cupcakes | The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the secret to good cupcakes? ›

    Top Tips for Baking Better Cupcakes
    • Read the Recipe. Read the recipe all the way through first. ...
    • Check Oven Temperature. ...
    • Check the Dates. ...
    • Substitute with Caution. ...
    • Use the Right Temperature. ...
    • Take Time to Sift. ...
    • Measure with Care. ...
    • Cream the Ingredients.

    Why is the top of my cupcake hard? ›

    Cupcakes with crunchy tops are because of your oven being too warm, baking with the thermofan, or the convection oven putting. It can be because you bake them for too lengthy, added an excessive amount of sugar, introduced too little leavening agent, or over-mixing the batter.

    Why did the top of my cupcakes crack? ›

    The oven temperature is too high. If the top crust forms and sets before the cake has finished rising, the middle will try to push through the crust as it continues to bake, causing it to crack and possibly dome.

    What is the secret to moist cupcakes? ›

    "Baking fluffy, moist cupcakes is all about creating air bubbles in your batter that expand in the oven," she says. "If you overmix your batter, you collapse those bubbles and end up with a brick-like cake." Always mix at a low speed to avoid this, stopping just as all ingredients blend.

    What not to do when baking cupcakes? ›

    10 Common Mistakes That You May Be Making When Baking Cupcakes
    1. You use the wrong kind of flour. ...
    2. You use expired ingredients. ...
    3. You don't measure your ingredients with precision. ...
    4. You bake the cupcakes for too long! ...
    5. You don't cream the butter and sugar properly. ...
    6. You use cold eggs and butter. ...
    7. You frost your cupcakes too soon.

    How long should cupcakes cool before frosting? ›

    Let your cupcakes cool completely before frosting them: Even a tiny bit of residual heat from a cupcake can melt your frosting, so be sure to give your cupcakes at least an hour to cool on this wire rack before you move on to decorating!

    What makes cupcakes rubbery? ›

    If you mix incorrect measurements of sugar, butter, and eggs, the cake will become rubbery. You will notice that you have overmixed, the batter when the dough produces a smooth or watery texture. When the dough is overmixed, the air bubbles trapped in the mixture will be lost.

    Why are my cupcakes dense and not fluffy? ›

    If your cakes consistently turn out dense, it's worth checking the expiration date on your baking powder or baking soda. These leavening agents lose their effectiveness over time, which can lead to flat and dense cakes. Make sure to use fresh leavening agents for the best results.

    Do you spray cupcake liners when making cupcakes? ›

    Do I need to grease the cupcake paper liner? Nope! The grease is for the cupcake batter to not stick to the pan, and the liners do the exact same thing, so you don't have to grease the paper liners as well.

    Do you spray cupcake liners before filling? ›

    How to stop cupcake liners from sticking
    1. Grease your wrappers. Giving the wrappers a quick spritz of nonstick cooking spray before filling them works very well to prevent cakes from sticking — even if you're making a delicate recipe or trying to unwrap the cupcakes when they're still warm.
    2. Buy non-stick liners.
    Jul 30, 2017

    How to fill a cupcake with filling? ›

    You can fill your cupcakes with just about anything, from custard to jam to buttercream frosting. If you are using frosting, you can pipe it into the hole with a piping bag. If you are using a more fluid filling, such as custard or jam, or you can push it into the hole with a small teaspoon. Decorate the cupcake.

    Can you bake two cupcake pans at once? ›

    If you absolutely need to bake more than one batch at a time, make sure you rotate the cupcake pans from the top rack to bottom rack a couple times in the baking process to encourage even browning. And turn the pans around as well. Ovens have hot spots!

    Why do my chocolate cupcakes come away from the case? ›

    Moisture is the main reason why cases peel - don't bake cupcakes in a steamy environment so you shouldn't have pans of bubbling water or kettles boiling.

    Why are my cupcakes raw inside? ›

    Oven too hot or too cold

    It might just surprise you to know your oven may not be at the temperature you think it is. This can lead to a whole host of issues for your cupcakes, including leaving them raw in the middle or burning their edges and drying them out. Invest in an oven thermometer.

    What's the most important ingredient in a cupcake? ›

    Flour is the main ingredient of the batter and provides the base for the cupcake. Butter or oil provides flavor, tenderizes the batter and helps provide volume.

    Are cupcakes better with milk or water? ›

    Use milk instead of water

    Most box cake recipes will tell you to add water to the mix. Instead, try adding milk using the same proportions. This will make the cake richer and creamier because it ups the fat content. You can even use buttermilk here for a pleasant tang.

    How to stop cupcakes from doming? ›

    Check the temperature once your oven is preheated—if it's much higher, check your oven's manual to calibrate it so that 350 degrees actually means 350 degrees. Patterson also suggests simply lowering the temperature by 10 degrees if you notice your cakes significantly doming all the time.

    References

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