Mary Berry Chocolate Cupcakes by Mary Berry

  • Total Time

    35m

    • Prep Time

      20m

    • Bake Time

      15m

  • Serves

    12

  • Skill Level

    Easy

  • Dietary Needs

    Veg
    • Vegetarian

  • 265 Reviews

    5 star rating
As Seen In Press

This foolproof Mary Berry chocolate cupcake recipe is pure chocolate indulgence. Children will love to decorate with chocolate strands and chocolate decorations.

 

Method

  1. Line a muffin tin with paper cases. Sift the cocoa powder into a bowl, pour in the boiling water and mix into a thick paste. Add the remaining cake ingredients and mix with an electric hand whisk (or beat with a wooden spoon).

    • 40g Cocoa Powder
    • 4 tbsp Water (Boiling)
    • 3 Free Range Large Egg(s)
    • 175g Unsalted Butter (Softened)
    • 165g Billington's Unrefined Golden Caster Sugar
    • 115g Self-Raising White Flour
    • 1 tsp Baking Powder

  2. Divide the mixture equally between the 12 paper cases. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F, Gas mark 6) for about 12-15 minutes until well risen and springy to the touch. Cool in the cases on a wire rack.

  3. To make the chocolate icing melt the butter and pour it into a bowl. Sift in the cocoa powder and stir in the icing sugar a little at a time to make a glossy and spreadable. If the icing is too thick, gradually add the milk until it reaches the desired consistency. Pipe over the cupcakes, sprinkle with chocolate decorations and leave to set before serving.

    • 60g Unsalted Butter (Softened)
    • 30g Cocoa Powder
    • 3 tbsp Milk (Whole)
    • 250g Billington's Unrefined Golden Icing Sugar
    • A Handful Decorations

Let's Bake

The easiest way to follow a recipe

Reviews

  1. 5 star rating

    so simple and easy to make. Can't get enough of them. Best cupcakes ever!!!

  2. 4 star rating

    Delicious, mine have just come out of the oven! I’m just waiting for them to cool down so that I can ice and Decorate them now , for a friends birthday!

  3. 5 star rating

    So amazing, you have to try it.

  4. 5 star rating

    Lovely recipe, I am definitely going to make these again.

  5. 5 star rating

    toooooooooooooo good to be real
    nothing so good but so easy to make

  6. 5 star rating

    AMAZING they taste so good

  7. 5 star rating

    I made these cupcakes and they turned out lovely. I shared them out to my whole family and they all said they were the best cupcakes ever and I am going to use it for my mums birthday. Would definitely recommend this recipe and I am going to use it again!
    😋 😋😋😋
    -Zoe, age 10

  8. 5 star rating

    There’s a reason it’s five stars. Brilliant. Thank

  9. 5 star rating

    The cupcakes were moist, fluffy and light, had the perfect amount of sweetness and chocolate. I’ve never had cupcakes rise this much, almost double height, and stay that way after cooling. Make sure that the cocoa powder really is well incorporated and there are no lumps before you mix in the rest of the ingredients, use a little more hot water if the paste is too dry! My batter was very runny and liquid before I baking, apparently that was good! Definitely recommend this recipe!

  10. 4 star rating

    I loved these cupcakes ! Delicious 😋

  11. 5 star rating

    Omg the most moist, chocolate, cupcakes I’ve ever eaten in my entire life. One change I did made is add 50g to the icing also don’t judge me I forgot to add baking soda but the risen perfectly without it. If I could give it 10 stars without a doubt easy and professional quality

  12. 5 star rating

    These are the best cakes ever

  13. 1 star rating

    We haven't made it yet WE WILL KNOW SOON!! Peace out
    xoxo

  14. 4 star rating

    do we have to use a piping bag
    ________________________________________________
    Hello,

    No, you can easily spoon the mixture onto the cupcake if it is easier for you.

    Happy Baking!

  15. 5 star rating

    AMZING this is my 2nd time making them and they are the best. WELL DONE XX

  16. 5 star rating

    amazing recipie

  17. 2 star rating

    You forgot to add the baking powder In you video ... good job I checked the ingredients!!

  18. 4 star rating

    Pretty good

  19. 5 star rating

    Mmmmmmmmmmmm!

  20. 5 star rating

    So tasty mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm😀😀👌❤️💕

  21. 5 star rating

    Only thing I changed in this recipe was stirring in a bag of chocolate chips (100 grams) in the cake batter before spooning them into the cupcake cases.

    Very moist
    Very chocolatey

    Decent recipe 👍👍

  22. 1 star rating

    Bleeurgh! Not moist and not chocolatey enough. ....

  23. 5 star rating

    They are the best cupcakes I ever made!

  24. 5 star rating

    Great recipe although for the icing I found I had to alternate milk with icing sugar or it wouldn’t mix. The cakes did come away from the cases a bit.

  25. 5 star rating

    Is it ok if I use fairy cake cases instead and convert the measurements to cups and tablespoons. Will it be ok if I don’t have an electric hand whisk
    _____________________________________________
    Hello,

    Converting into cups will be fine. Using fairy cake cases will mean that you will make smaller cakes so you will need to adjust the time you bake the cakes to avoid overbaking.
    You can whisk by hand instead of using a handheld machine.
    Hope this helps
    Happy Baking!

  26. 5 star rating

    Perfect! Filled the cases to the top thought mixture was too runny but they’ve turned out amazing 😍

  27. 1 star rating

    Hated this recipe I’ve tried this twice and both times mine came out burnt and the cake just stuck to the cases not impressed

  28. 5 star rating

    YUMMY thank you defiantly making them again.

  29. 5 star rating

    Hi love the cupcakes I am only 10 and did them myself really easy and yummy👌Thank you for the recipe definitely making them again.

  30. 5 star rating

    I made these today for a friend’s birthday & he was delighted!
    Super easy to make, they’re light and fluffy. The kitchen smelled divine while they were baking!

  31. 4 star rating

    I loved baking these cupcakes as a surprise for my mum and dad absolutely fantastic recipe

  32. 5 star rating

    These came out absolutely awesome , beautiful flavours and so easy to make ! 💕💪🏼 My tip would be don’t UNDER fill the cupcakes definitely only make 12. But that 12 definitely is a tasty Dozen 💕😋😋😋😋 xx definitely a five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me xxx

  33. 5 star rating

    I've made these cupcakes load of times and I love them but I need to make them for someone birthday tomorrow but cant find golden caster sugar anywhere! Would it be ok to use normal caster sugar or would that not work the same?
    ________________________________________________
    Hello,
    Yes, substituting caster for golden caster would work fine.
    Happy Baking!

  34. 5 star rating

    im only 11 but i thought it was SUPER easy !!!! i cant wait to try them , there in the oven right now !! one thing i'd say is that the instructions were not very clear but im still so excited !!!!

  35. 5 star rating

    These cakes were brilliant- they were moist, although dense. Highly recommended

  36. 5 star rating

    Best cupcakes only 7 and delicious and delightful!!!!

  37. 3 star rating

    Found the paste didnt really mix in completey but they tasted really nice and moist. Dissapointingly though they all came away from their cases so looked really bad.

  38. 5 star rating

    Awesome 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😄😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😀😀😀😀😀😅😅😅😀😅😀😀😅😅😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋

  39. 4 star rating

    I am 7 and I made these cupcakes they are crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle

  40. 3 star rating

    They tasted really great they just didn't come out the way I wanted them to come out . But they were really delicious and my brother enjoyed them the most!

  41. 5 star rating

    Definitely a foolproof recipe, cupcakes are moist and beautiful every time. I melt nutella and add on as icing - divine.

  42. 4 star rating

    Very good 😋 I am only 12 and I had no trouble doing this recipe! The only thing I would say is that the icing tastes a bit weird, but other than that brilliant! 👍😊
    Thanks!

  43. 4 star rating

    Very Good recipe 😋 I am only 12 and I had no trouble with this recipe, the only think I would say is that the icing tastes a bit weird but other than that brilliant!
    Thanks! 👍😊

  44. 5 star rating

    Soooooo easy to make and taste delicious as well. Highly recommend! (but would pop them in for 15 mins instead of 12 mins)

  45. 5 star rating

    I am only 9 but I easily made them all by myself. The people that put up the bad reviews must have got the recipe wrong! Do cook for longer though. YUM 😋 🤤😍🥰🤩

  46. 5 star rating

    Anyone that says these aren't amazing cupcakes are making them wrong.
    2nd time making them and they go down a treat, my nan loves them!

  47. 5 star rating

    Wonderfully easy chocolatey fairy cakes. Yummy. I follow the recipe exactly and am always happy with the results.

  48. 3 star rating

    I sieved my flour,baking powder and cocoa powder yet my mixture was really lumpy? How to I stop this
    _______________________________________________
    Hello,

    It will naturally be quite lumpy, but by continuing to mix the lumps will disappear. Using an electric hand whisk is best.
    Hope this helps
    Happy Baking!

  49. 4 star rating

    I loved these cupcakes although i would recommend using an electric hand whisk as mine went lumpy until I used one.These are wonderful cupcakes 😀🔥

  50. 5 star rating

    Very easy to make with my 5yr old, very light and fluffy. Added an extra tbsp of water and let them cook a 1min longer. Very light and fluffy.

  51. 5 star rating

    Man, these cakes are amazing, the recipe BRILLIANT. Great for making with th children. Could not recommend more highly!

  52. 5 star rating

    Can't understand the negative reviews - these cupcakes are delicious and moist. Best chocolate cupcake recipe I have used. Very yummy!! Went down a treat!

  53. 5 star rating

    a great easy fix to a classic cupcake! thanks

  54. 1 star rating

    Gross cupcakes, would not recommend. They were oily and to sweet .

  55. 2 star rating

    Not very impressed with these, everything came out fine, just didnt taste great

  56. 5 star rating

    Amaizing recipe. I love it and I am only 10! I also recommend doubling the mixture and making a two teird cake as I did for my mums birthday. Never going back to boring victoria spunge cakes again! 🤣🤣

  57. 5 star rating

    Delicious

  58. 5 star rating

    I am not a very good cook and I rarely bake. However, I followed this receipie and I made the most delicious, moist cupcakes.

    I cant understand the people that have left a negative review. The must not have followed it properly or used quality ingredients.

  59. 5 star rating

    Great best recipe ever I 😘😘😘😘ed them

  60. 5 star rating

    I have made this recipe over 10 times and I'm only 9! My mum once tried it and she'd put the cupcakes in the oven and they got undercooked! 🙄 It's a really good recipe and recommended it to anyone who likes chocolate and baking!

  61. 5 star rating

    This cupcake recipe is amazing! I am always making them bc they are so easy to bake and are so delicious!

  62. 5 star rating

    Easy and reliable recipe. Cakes are moist and delicious.This recipe has become a cupcake staple in my family.
    Definitely recommend.

  63. 5 star rating

    this recipe was the best I highly recommend using this recipe 😍😍😍🤩 five ⭐️ definitely

  64. 1 star rating

    DO NOT MAKE THIS RECIPE

    - Makes awful cupcakes, an unreliable recipe which is different each time
    - Cupcakes shrink
    - DO NOT MAKE

  65. 4 star rating

    Very nice. How could I half the recipe?

  66. 5 star rating

    Very easy and very tasty. Not sure how to store them though - in the fridge or out? Wouldn’t normally put them in the fridge but there’s milk and butter in the icing.... 🤷‍♀️ Any ideas?

  67. 5 star rating

    Amazing recipe! So easy to make and the result is a perfectly moist and delicious sponge. I had to make another batch the next day due to high demand...

  68. 4 star rating

    I didn't like the idea of adding boiling water to the mix so changed it to 2 tbsp of milk instead and they have come out delicious.

  69. 1 star rating

    it was very bad and it didn't have no flavour it was just a waste of my ingredients

  70. 4 star rating

    Amazing recipe, makes more than 12 but MORE THE MERRIER !!!!!

    i was just wondering, would this recipe be okay for a sandwich cake?
    _______________________________________________

    Yes, you could make this into a 7" sandwich cake you will need to bake for slightly longer though in the oven. Check that your cake is baked throughout before removing it from the oven.

  71. 5 star rating

    Brilliant definitely recommend this recipe

  72. 5 star rating

    Tastes lovely, the mixture started of a bit runny. But as so as I used the whisk, it fluffed up. Amazing! 👍

  73. 5 star rating

    These are fab! Made them with my four year old - a quick and simple recipe. Made 12 light and airy cakes - perfect after 10 mins in oven. Swopped the butter cream for melted chocolate and smartie decoration.

  74. 5 star rating

    I’ve made these so many times, they are foolproof and really moist. I can’t get hold of golden icing sugar though - would normal icing sugar be ok please? Thanks x
    ________________________________________________
    Hello,

    Yes to swap to Icing sugar would be fine, there might be a slight change in flavour, but still lovely.

    Happy Baking!

  75. 5 star rating

    Yum!!!!! These buns are one of the best things I have ever tasted! An easy recipe , a delicious 😋 bun. They have a very soft middle but that is the best part! We didn't use the butter cream but it tasted yummy without it. I recommend you try the best buns ever!

  76. 3 star rating

    There is something not quite right about this recipe. Don't get me wrong, they taste fine and look okay with frosting on top. But the mixture was VERY runny (it made 24, not 12) and they kind of rose but then shrank! I've never seen anything quite like it. It really is an odd (acceptably tasty still) texture too, kind of stodgy. In my humble opinion, there's too much egg in it. I think if I was to make it again I'd mix two eggs and add it a bit at a time until I was happy with the thickness. I'd probably add chocolate chips too as it's not actually all that chocolatey, but that's just preference. My 5 year old daughter enjoyed them still.

  77. 5 star rating

    Amazing ive done nothing but bake these cupcakes because they are easy light and fluffy 😋😋😋😋😋😋😋💖💖💖💖💖💖

  78. 3 star rating

    Video doesn’t show baking powder going in so I missed it!!

  79. 5 star rating

    Wonderful cup cakes . Such an easy recipe - really light and fluffy. My grandchildren will love them. I just added a little more water to make the paste.

  80. 5 star rating

    From Grace Age 6
    I made these for everybody and the cat even ate my crumbs. They were delicious! And very chocolatey. Really easy to make.

  81. 5 star rating

    Ive always been the worst baker but these turned out perfect. I did think i needed more water to mix into the cocoa to make a smooth paste because mine was quite dry and just about came together. It left small cocoa lumps in the batter but once the cupcakes were baked they were perfect. They were also just as good the next day. Very impressed with this recipe!

  82. 5 star rating

    This helped me learn to make 🧁 cupcakes

  83. 5 star rating

    I love these cakes I think they are lovely light and airy however I’d recommend baking them for only 10 minutes but I guess that’s up to you wether you do or not

    Overall a lovely cake and I will definitely make them again

  84. 5 star rating

    it was amazing there is nothing wrong with it except how it says it makes twelve and i made 24

  85. 5 star rating

    Lovely cupcakes. I've made these cupcakes loads of times. Worked out well. Highly recommend them!!!!!👍🏻😋💯

  86. 2 star rating

    they are fine but the icing is not very good so i use butter cream icing.

  87. 4 star rating

    I have made wayy more than 12, this recipe serves 16-18

  88. 2 star rating

    Hmmm.....
    I tried making these cupcakes, and I need to say they were not really how I expected them to be! They were mushy and had a strange texture.....
    The reviews on this are very positive so I think it must be that I messed something up. I will probably try this recipie one more time before judging these cupcakes! 😊

  89. 4 star rating

    Delicious 😋 cupcakes 🧁! Although the batter was a bit too runny even after adding only 2 eggs, not sure where I went wrong but would still highly recommend them! 💖

  90. 1 star rating

    Very weird

  91. 5 star rating

    It’s my first time backing with no help and I can say that this recipe is lovely so yummy

  92. 1 star rating

    I make a lot of cakes and thought these would be lovely but what a weird texture?! Almost powdery - not nice at all!

  93. 1 star rating

    Can you use boiling hot water? Made the mixture like breadcrumbs rather than gooey

  94. 5 star rating

    Made for my daughters birthday lovely moist cake

  95. 5 star rating

    Top recipe, made 24 when I did them as I used a small cupcake tin. I've previously used an old recipe of my mums but these are just as good and less hassle to make,

  96. 5 star rating

    To those who say that they are disgusting, I just want to say that im 9 and id never baked before and they turned out brilliant even a piece of cat hair fell in unnoticed but it still tasted good. You must of done it horribly wrong and you probably rushed them!
    They are delightful. 100%100

  97. 5 star rating

    Amazing im only 9 they were so fun i added sweets to the middle!



    Madeleine (9)

  98. 5 star rating

    Super easy I loved making them im only nine and i always see my sister making cake so i decided to give it a try. I even made them so they had sprinkles inside!

  99. 5 star rating

    Excellent cupcakes. Easy to make and so moist.

  100. 1 star rating

    really bad not moist do dry and no flavor at all super gross never try again super weird taste shape and not gooey or moist yuck never again

  101. 5 star rating

    100% making these again! Best cake recipe I’ve ever used!

  102. 5 star rating

    Hi what coco powder do people suggest to use?

  103. 5 star rating

    Can I freeze before or after baking and add icing when ready to serve?
    --------------------------------------
    Hi there, it would be best to freeze the cakes after baking without the icing, just make sure they are well wrapped. Once ready to use, defrost at room temperature, add the icing and serve. Happy baking :)

  104. 5 star rating

    Best chocolate cakes I've ever made.
    I found I needed to add a little extra water in the first step to get a paste rather than a crumbly mix.
    I also found that for the icing, I had to alternate adding a bit of icing and a bit of milk, to make it easier to mix up.
    Cakes come away from their cases really easily.
    It did take me over an hour though!

  105. 5 star rating

    I LOVE these cup cakes so light and fluffy so easy to make and so worth it !! I highly recommend this recipe to any one which wants a great quality cupcake !!

  106. 5 star rating

    Absolutely great recipe. My all time fave chocolate cupcake. I have used this for ages, super simple and quick for an amazing treat. I forgot to sift the icing so it was a bit lumpy but I kept whisking and turned out perfect in the end.

  107. 5 star rating

    I’m only 10 and these were amazing and I don’t really like cake (but I love to bake) These look really nice too, Great recipe definitely recommend it

  108. 5 star rating

    Very nice cupcakes family enjoy them a lot.

  109. 4 star rating

    Gorgeous recipe, I find mixing up the Cocoa and water in a small bowl first until soft before you add to mixer makes a big difference. 👍🏻 Really light and fluffy cupcakes

  110. 5 star rating

    UN - believable! Love them! The steps were perfect and sometimes I get nervous when there is little detail but they were fabulous. So easy!My icing is normally too runny and this recipe was great. Highly recommend!

  111. 5 star rating

    Great recipe

  112. 5 star rating

    This was delicious it was amazing I love this recipe 🥰

  113. 5 star rating

    Super quick, no fuss and always delicious! I baked for 2nd time yesterday and replaced chocolate buttercream with caramel buttercream and it was heavenly!

  114. 5 star rating

    I am the worst baker and normally manage to mess up the easiest foolproof recipes. I fully melted the butter at the start so my mixture was much runnier. I used the correct tbsp of water but the cocoa paste was a bit dry so there were cocoa flecks in the mixture. However, the cupcakes turned out perfectly fine and very moist!!

  115. 4 star rating

    Lovely recipie and easy to follow xx

  116. 4 star rating

    Lovely recipie and easy to follow xx

  117. 5 star rating

    They were delicious and easy to bake.

  118. 5 star rating

    They were amazing!! I sometimes take the cupcake mixture and put it into a round baking tray so I can use it for my cakes!! I’m only 11 and I can make these in like 5 minutes. I LOVE them.

  119. 5 star rating

    I don't normally comment on cupcake recipes online but this one is worth mentioning. Love it! Tasty, yummy and totally worth the calories. Recommended to try and do it very simple and tasty.

  120. 5 star rating

    best cupcakes we've ever eaten. and super easy to make even for a littlen to follow

  121. 5 star rating

    Amazing! 👍Our family LOVES it! We've made it so many times, we're running out of ingredients! 😂😃😉

  122. 5 star rating

    Love these! Super easy to make. Taste delicious! I haven’t baked for ages but can already see myself making these on a regular basis. There goes my waistline!

  123. 5 star rating

    Made these with my kids and they are the best cupcakes ever! The buttercream is perfect and then sponge was super soft and moist! Not far from the amazing Mary Berry’s own chocolate cake from the store!

  124. 5 star rating

    Made these with my 2 year old (though granted I did most of it!), Very simple and so moist and fluffy! I used half the amount of icing sugar for the icing and just spread it on with a knife and it was great!

  125. 5 star rating

    My first cupcakes! Made with the kids. It was easy and delicious. Used a freezer bag as no nozzle, still a food finish.

  126. 5 star rating

    I love these cupcakes they taste so delicious I would give them a 10 star if I could

  127. 5 star rating

    I’ve made these a few times now. Super easy to make. I’ve used normal sugar and beaten by hand in one bowl they’ve come out fine. It’s nice to use cocoa powder rather than chocolate so they are not too sweet. My go-to recipe from now on. Love them.

  128. 5 star rating

    Yum

  129. 1 star rating

    disgusting cakes why would anybody like these

  130. 5 star rating

    Best cupcake recipe. Simple, no fuss and taste absolutely fantastic. Chocolatey, fluffy and the buttercream is spot on.

  131. 5 star rating

    Fab. So chocolatey and so easy to make.

  132. 5 star rating

    SO NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  133. 4 star rating

    So NICE, but the mixture was a bit lumpy when me and my made them. I would highly recommend,[Apart from the lumpy mix!]

  134. 4 star rating

    Nice and easy, but 4 tbsp of water is definitely NOT enough to make the 40g cocoa powder into a paste! I just kept adding until I thought it was the right consistency!

  135. 4 star rating

    I made them again and every time they turn out so fluffy! Love it but the mixture is always runny, unlike in the video.

  136. 5 star rating

    Yum

  137. 5 star rating

    The cupcakes were so soft and easy to make!!!

  138. 5 star rating

    I made these cupcakes on saturday,, GONE!! they was so delicious,, I'm making them again now! The cupcakes were so light and fluffy and they weren't dry whatsoever!!! Thankyou! xoxo

  139. 5 star rating

    Amazing, I love how the buttercream sweetens the cupcake. Very light and fluffy 👌
    Recommended for anyone baking for fun

  140. 5 star rating

    Made these with my 12 year old son and we absolutely loved them!! 🥰 has to go on my favourite list 😋

  141. 4 star rating

    really good cakes but took longer t bake than 15 minutes

  142. 2 star rating

    The icing is great but the cupcakes came out dry and floury

  143. 5 star rating

    Very delicious cupcakes. I've made them more than 4 times so far! Very moist and soft. But I recommend setting the temperature to 180 degrees Celcius in fan ovens as they can get a little burnt. I usually have to cook them longer than the recipe says. I use dark soft brown sugar for the icing and it's still delicious.

  144. 5 star rating

    Mary Berry your recipes are um-diddily- scrumptious....works every time

  145. 3 star rating

    Is everybody using 200 degrees fan oven? I lowered the temp by 20 degrees for the fan and they were nowhere near cooked in the 12-15 minute time frame. They also sink a lot on taking out of the oven, almost like they are too dense 🤔
    ________________________________________________
    Hello,
    If they sink after taking them out of the oven I would suggest that they are not baked enough. Try baking them for longer next time and/or increasing your oven temperature. Oven temperatures can vary a lot.
    Happy Baking!

  146. 4 star rating

    These are lovely. The only problem is the cocoa mix then mixed in With the rest is clumps in the mix, is this normal ? Still turned out lovely tho 😋
    ________________________________________________
    Hello,

    It's really important to make sure that the paste is smooth and without any lumps before adding to the rest of the ingredients. This will ensure a smooth batter at the end.
    Happy Baking!

  147. 5 star rating

    First time making them, they are the best muffin I have tasted!

  148. 5 star rating

    So good 😊

  149. 5 star rating

    Easy to follow, was my first time baking cupcakes and they turned out really well. I didn’t use caster sugar as I didn’t have any, so I used normal white sugar and they still turned out perfect!!

  150. 5 star rating

    Amazing

  151. 5 star rating

    Hi can you use Demerara sugar for this recipe?

  152. 3 star rating

    Hi can you use Demerara sugar for this recipe?
    ________________________________________________
    Hello,

    You could use whatever sugar you have, using Demerara sugar will change the texture of the cupcakes though.
    Happy baking!

  153. 5 star rating

    Perfect cupcake recipe. So light with no effort.

  154. 5 star rating

    Love it, the taste SO good xoxo💖💖

  155. 5 star rating

    I love it as I love to bake this is a really fun, tasty and easy bake for beginners xoxo💖

  156. 5 star rating

    Cakes are so soft, light and fluffy
    Amazing taste
    Strongly recommend their recipe!

  157. 1 star rating

    Awful

  158. 3 star rating

    ive started baking because of quarantine everything ive tries has been pretty good but these cupcakes they werent moist or chocolatey

  159. 5 star rating

    VERYYY tasty, easing and fun to make definitely recommend !😆😋

  160. 5 star rating

    These are so nice

  161. 4 star rating

    I haven’t made these yet but do you really have to use a specific caster sugar. I’m making them today and I hope they taste good

  162. 3 star rating

    I mean when I was dividing them up I thought to myself, these are going to overflow surely, and they did! Colossal mess of my oven! Wish I could add a picture, but make 24 with this recipe not 12.

  163. 5 star rating

    The best cupcakes and I'm doing it my first time

  164. 5 star rating

    this is so. nice and I highly recommend xoxo

  165. 5 star rating

    I made it at my home and it was delicious 🍦🥰😍

  166. 5 star rating

    Delicious

  167. 5 star rating

    Horrible

  168. 2 star rating

    Tastes lovely, but it didn’t tell us to grease the edges so it was a bit of a fail! We are novices and tried our hardest!

  169. 4 star rating

    ACTUALLY YOU FORGOT ONE MAJOR STEP
    YOU FORGOT TO BUTTER THE SIDDDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS

  170. 5 star rating

    We made this into a cake recipe Absolutely SMASHED THIS CAKE THANKI
    YOU 😆🥳🥳
    Ps we are only kids and made like pros

  171. 5 star rating

    absolutely delicious, highly recommend trying them

  172. 5 star rating

    Perfect. Made with gluten free flour and very light and fluffy. Best cupcakes we’ve had GF

  173. 4 star rating

    I made the paw patrol cupcakes for the 1st time with mum. That was 2wks ago. Me & mum & dad never tried the chocolate cupcakes before. Because my mum is going to make the chocolate cupcake before. 😿Plz let me and mum and dad have sooooommmmeeeee !?
    Plz

  174. 5 star rating

    I never tried this before! Let me 😢

  175. 5 star rating

    yay i am only 10 and i could do these in a few minuits

  176. 5 star rating

    Awesome!

  177. 5 star rating

    Fun and easy.

  178. 5 star rating

    They were super easy to make. Highly recommend to younger ones

  179. 5 star rating

    This is the first time I have ever made cupcakes. I followed the recipe and was surprised at how delicious they turned out. I will definitely be making more using this recipe. I would recommend you try it!!!

  180. 5 star rating

    It is so easy i am only 9 and i can do it alone!!!

    IT IS SO GOOD!!!

  181. 2 star rating

    Just like another reviewer. Made the coco powder paste and added the other ingredients but was left with lots of lumps of coco powder in the mix.
    ________________________________________________
    Hello,

    It's really important to make sure that the paste is smooth and without any lumps before adding to the rest of the ingredients. This will ensure a smooth batter at the end.
    Happy Baking!

  182. 5 star rating

    Great recipe. I had no baking powder so made them without and they were still delicious. I added orange zest to the mix and orange essence to the icing for a chocolate orange flavour.

  183. 5 star rating

    Extremely delicious! Nice and chocolaty but not sickly and the buttercream was amazing. I highly recommend this recipe especially for beginners.

  184. 5 star rating

    👍

  185. 3 star rating

    Taste is amazing but for some reason my batter always curdles

  186. 5 star rating

    amazinggggg

  187. 5 star rating

    By far the easiest, tastiest and best cupcakes I have ever made. So glad I found this recipe! Cheers Mary Berry!

  188. 2 star rating

    The cocoa powder and water was too think and refused to mix into the rest of the batter leaving it gritty, then to top it off, after cooking then for at least 20 minutes they were still soggy on the inside, I would recommend using milk instead of water next time and to also use less eggs 🤢🤢

  189. 5 star rating

    As a 58 year young grandad made these today, delivered to my two grandchildren, and people in our street,need to make some more now none left for me.

  190. 5 star rating

    I always use this recipe - so easy and quick and never fails to deliver. Great for beginner and more experienced bakers. Great for kids to make, too - and many have by the comments left. You can’t beat a bit of Mary Berry!

  191. 5 star rating

    They turned out like Yorkshire puddings but I’m sure it’s not the recipes fault so I have given them 5 stars regardless.

  192. 5 star rating

    Delicious, absolutely Outstanding!

  193. 5 star rating

    A very nice recipe. the only thing I did differently was to use smooth peanut butter in place of butter for the cream.

  194. 4 star rating

    really nice but can you use do you have to use a specific sugar?! really delicious.

  195. 5 star rating

    The best cupcakes I've ever made! So light a fluffy, just perfect 👌👌💖

  196. 5 star rating

    best cup cakes I've ever made. would highly recommend

  197. 5 star rating

    I’m only nine years old and I can make them in 5 minuets.
    They are so good!!! 😋😋😋

  198. 5 star rating

    Lovely cupcakes, taste so good. Would recommend

  199. 5 star rating

    best. chocolate cupcakes. EVER! These rose beautifully and were so light and fluffy. They were super easy to make, so I would recommend this if you have kids. Definitely making these again

  200. 5 star rating

    best. cupcakes. EVER! Omg they were so light and fluffy, and weren't too sweet either. Super easy to make, so if You are a beginner, I highly recommend these to you. Definitely making these again! 😁

  201. 5 star rating

    Easy to make and so delicious. A big hit with my family.

  202. 3 star rating

    Not sure what I did wrong but I ended up with lumps of coco throughout my batter. Followed the instructional video and have baking skill so struggling to figure out what went wrong.

  203. 5 star rating

    Very good I love them

  204. 5 star rating

    Very very delicious

  205. 5 star rating

    Made these for the second time. Great recipe! So moist!

  206. 5 star rating

    Easy and delicious 😋

  207. 5 star rating

    Cakes are amazing and so easy to make !

  208. 5 star rating

    love this recipe ! keep coming back to make them

  209. 5 star rating

    Great recipe! Loved the cakes! Yum!

  210. 5 star rating

    They rose well and tasted so good, quick and easy to make, highly recommend

  211. 5 star rating

    Nice cakes and can make them dairy free.

  212. 5 star rating

    The best chocolate cupcakes I have ever made! Will never use another recepie!!

  213. 5 star rating

    amazing the cake is so moist and chocolatey they are the best cakes i have ever maid

  214. 5 star rating

    Fool proof. The easiest and yummiest, lightest cakes to make. I use dairy free margarine due to allergies here and they are always delicious. Today I’d run out of caster sugar and used light brown sugar and they still rose and tasted great as always. Definitely my go to cupcake recipe for the last couple of years!

  215. 5 star rating

    Really good mmm

  216. 5 star rating

    They was the best cakes I've ever made Xx

  217. 5 star rating

    Yassss

  218. 5 star rating

    Extremely good recipe, considering no baking tools needed.😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄

  219. 5 star rating

    me and my mum aced it because it was so easy and delicious

  220. 5 star rating

    i love these cupcakes absolutely amazing!

  221. 5 star rating

    Nice

  222. 5 star rating

    Amazing I'm glad I didn't give up chocolate for lent

  223. 4 star rating

    this recipe looks sooooooooooooo easy. Lets see if it looks and tastes as good as it seems

  224. 5 star rating

    These were delicious I defiantly recommend them!
    I'm such a novice baker but I feel as though I just one the British bake off
    They are so fluffy and really big (lucky me)

    Elouise (age 8)

  225. 5 star rating

    Very good they didn’t sink in like the cupcakes I usually make

  226. 5 star rating

    Hi, can I use this recipe to bake one big cake?

  227. 5 star rating

    Cakes were amazing but the cases came away from the cake! Will definitely try again with better cases this time!

  228. 5 star rating

    Amazing i doubled the recipe and made 36 cakes it was gone so quickly highly recommended

  229. 5 star rating

    I am a traditional 4,4,4 and 2 cake maker, but am totally amazed by this recipe (cheated by adding choc chips to make double choc), and will definitely be using this recipe as my go to base for all flavours of cupcakes. Cakes are so light and fluffy - a winner with my family!!!!

  230. 5 star rating

    Simple recipe
    Easy to make with or without mixer. Very light and fluffy a favourite with every one.

  231. 5 star rating

    Always find Mary Berrys recipes are the best, well thought out but looking professional. Lemon drizzle cake another super one

  232. 5 star rating

    Gonna try this today . Excited for the result

  233. 5 star rating

    once i tried them i fell in love with the recipe .

  234. 5 star rating

    These were so easy to make, especially for a novice baker, and I am so impressed with the results! They look and taste like bakery bought cakes.... and that’s despite me forgetting to add the baking soda!

  235. 5 star rating

    This is a great recipe!!!

  236. 5 star rating

    This is great!!!!

  237. 5 star rating

    once i tried them i fell in love with the recipe .

  238. 5 star rating

    Brilliant cupcakes. My daughter loved making (and eating) these!! 😁

  239. 5 star rating

    Quick and easy. Delicious. Would never use another choc cupcake recipe now! Just piped a star on each and had quite lot of icing left over.

  240. 5 star rating

    Good considering the minimal effort needed.

  241. 5 star rating

    Amazing cakes my daughter had to make some for school and they were the best cakes they brilliant.

  242. 5 star rating

    The cake tastes like heaven and the recipe is SO easy! Not a better set of cupcakes.

  243. 5 star rating

    AMAZING!!

  244. 5 star rating

    great recipe used multiple times now and always pleases

  245. 5 star rating

    Amazing!

  246. 5 star rating

    Quick. Easy and delicious!! Will be making again

  247. 5 star rating

    Delicious and easy to make, I couldn’t make the paste right and it went a bit lumpy ,I think I needed more milk than 3 tbsp but it didn’t make any difference as it wasn’t lumpy in the finalised cakes, they went down with my children very fast indeed!

  248. 5 star rating

    These cupcakes are amazing! I was able to make 17 and they were gone in a flash!

  249. 5 star rating

    Amazing cupcakes so fluffy got 14 cakes out of the recipe but could be because I used cupcake cases rather than muffin cases very easy to make highly recommended

  250. 5 star rating

    Extremely easy to follow and a new favorite. Could definately work on my own piping bag skills although apart from that theyre perfect.

  251. 5 star rating

    if i double the amount on the recipie would it be ok

  252. 5 star rating

    Easy to follow & light, fluffy cakes! Family soon polished them off!

  253. 5 star rating

    Easy to follow & light, fluffy cakes! Family soon polished them off!

  254. 5 star rating

    Made 14 of these on Good Friday using half the volume of icing and spread with a knife. Put a small chocolate egg on each one to decorate, Very light and tasty, so have made another batch today - 18 cupcakes!

  255. 5 star rating

    oh my god .. I made these yesterday to put in my kids Easter box (not really kids anymore 28,22,21) anyway like a fool I forgot to put butter in ( had put on radiator to speed up softening and forgot it) they STILL TURNED OUT AMAZING and very much healthier too ... well impressed

  256. 5 star rating

    Fantastic cupcakes were a real hit in my house. Very easy to make will defiantly making these again. We added some choc chips too as needed to use them up.

  257. 5 star rating

    Baked these tonight for work, first attempt and they turned out beautiful ... colleagues will be impressed ... I will continue to use this easy recipe and bake fabulous cupcakes !!!

  258. 5 star rating

    These are the best cupcakes I’ve ever made! So quick and simple to make and the amount of compliments I’ve had saying they taste amazing! If making for adults I always add a bit of Baileys which works really well.
    Will never use another recipe for cupcakes now I’ve found this one!

  259. 5 star rating

    I changed those slightly ti make them Dairy and gluten free and no one knew, they were gone in about 10 mins! Only recipe I will use now. Yummy 😋

  260. 5 star rating

    Great baking these. I made them for a children in need bake sale and they ran out almost immediately! 💛

  261. 5 star rating

    I’m a complete amateur and had an absolute mare but through no fault of the recipe.. I forgot to soften the butter, my icing curdled (I saved it by adding warm milk to it) and then my piping bag burst. I soldiered through and it has resulted in delicious cupcakes that don’t quite look like the picture but near enough! Will definitely make these again!

  262. 5 star rating

    A nice easy recipe that kids can join in with. The cupcakes are delicious and very moist. Yum Yum!

  263. 5 star rating

    Have baked many chocolate cupcakes but these have been credited with being the best chocolate cupcakes ever!! So easy to make, the icing was simple & not too sweet.

  264. 5 star rating

    This is my favourite cupcake recipe and its super easy to! I highly recommend them

  265. 5 star rating

    This is my favourite cupcake recipe and its super easy to! I highly recommend them

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Ingredients

For the Cupcakes

  • 4 tbsp Water (Boiling)
  • 40g Cocoa Powder
  • 3 Free Range Large Egg(s)
  • 175g Unsalted Butter (Softened)
  • 165g Billington's Unrefined Golden Caster Sugar
  • 115g Self-Raising White Flour
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder

For the Buttercream

  • 60g Unsalted Butter (Softened)
  • 30g Cocoa Powder
  • 3 tbsp Milk (Whole)
  • 250g Billington's Unrefined Golden Icing Sugar
  • A Handful Decorations

Utensils

  • Cupcake Cases
  • Piping Bag
  • Star Nozzle
  • 12 Hole Cupcake Tray

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