These Valentine’s Day Special Chocolate Cupcakes are the perfect way to celebrate love with something sweet and homemade. The cupcakes are rich and moist, thanks to the generous use of good-quality cocoa powder and vanilla. They are baked until soft and fluffy, then topped with a smooth, creamy chocolate cream cheese frosting. The frosting is light, chocolatey, and perfectly pipeable, making each cupcake look bakery-worthy. Finished with adorable candy hearts, these cupcakes are ideal for gifting, sharing, or treating yourself. Simple steps, everyday ingredients, and a delectable batch of cupcakes will make this recipe a guaranteed Valentine’s Day favourite.
Line muffin tins with paper liners. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
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Step 2: Make the batter
Take a large mixing bowl and mix the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Beat on medium speed for one minute until well combined. Stir in boiling water. The batter will be very thin – this will result in moist cupcakes.
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Step 3: Fill the liners
Fill cupcake liners ⅔ full with batter. For easier filling, pour the batter into a large measuring cup with a spout, then pour it into the liners.
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Step 4: Bake cupcakes
Bake for approximately 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. The tops of the cupcakes should spring back when lightly touched.
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Step 5: Cool the cupcakes completely
Cool cupcakes completely on a wire rack before frosting. This is crucial because if the cupcakes are hot when frosting, the frosting will melt into a puddle.
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Step 6: Make chocolate cream cheese frosting
Add the butter to a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add cream cheese and blend until fully combined and smooth, about 30 seconds. Add cocoa powder before adding powdered sugar. Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar, blend on low speed until combined. Increase to medium speed and beat until fluffy. Slowly add heavy cream, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. Don't add too much if you want frosting to hold its shape when piped. Beat until fluffy, about 1 minute.
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Step 7: Frost the cupcakes
Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a decorative tip. Pipe generous swirls onto cooled cupcakes. Alternatively, spread with an offset spatula. Press one or more candy hearts (depending on the size) into each of the frosting’s tops.