How to Make Chocolate Cupcakes - Mahalo

If you're the original chocoholic, or simply like the taste of a good chocolate cupcake, then this page will help guide you to make some of the best. Read on to learn how to make chocolate cupcakes.
Chocolate Cupcake Tips
1. Dutch-processed cocoa powder is less bitter than natural cocoa powder.
2. Use ingredients that are at room temperature.
3. Use a shiny muffin pan.
4. Line your pan with cupcake liners.
5. Spray cupcake liners with a no-stick canola oil cooking spray.
6. Cook only one pan at a time.
7. Turning your cupcakes halfway baking.
8. Avoid overbaking.
9. Cool your pan before you use it a second time.

Categories

Food | Dessert | Food & Drink | How Tos

Introduction
- Chocolate cupcakes are a great way to enjoy the taste of chocolate. Even better, since they are made with cocoa, there's a chance that they might enhance the blood flow in our brain and improve our brain function.Medical News Today: Some Types Of Cocoa Could Improve Brain Function (Not that we really need an excuse to eat them). Cupcakes are easy to make and shouldn't be reserved for special occasions and parties. If you want to make some chocolate cupcakes today, then this page will help guide you.
Understanding Cocoa
- Cocoa powder is made by pressing chocolate liquor until three-quarters of its cocoa butter has been removed and the remnants are processed.Joyofbaking.com: Cocoa Powder There are two types of unsweetened cocoa powder, Dutch-processed and natural. Although they are not the same, they can usually be substituted for each other in most recipes.Allchocolate.com: Cooking with Chocolate - Techniques and Tips
- Dutch-processed cocoa or cocoa powder with alkali.Diary of a Chocolatier: Cocoa Powder's Processing, Origin Play Key Roles in Taste (September 9, 2008)
  1. Smoother and darker color.
  2. Has been treated with an alkali to neutralize its acidity.Allchocolate.com: Cooking with Chocolate - Techniques and Tips
  3. Has a more mellow, milder flavor.Allchocolate.com: Cooking with Chocolate - Techniques and Tips
  4. Recommended for recipes that call for baking powder.About.com: Chocolate Types - All About Different Types of Chocolate
- Natural cocoa or unsweetened cocoa powder.Allchocolate.com: Cooking with Chocolate - Techniques and Tips
  1. Light red-brown color.
  2. Has a fruitier chocolate flavor.Allchocolate.com: Cooking with Chocolate - Techniques and Tips
  3. Slightly acidic and needs to be used in recipes calling for baking soda.About.com: Chocolate Types - All About Different Types of Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup natural (unsweetened) cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda (optional)Allrecipes: Chocolate Cupcakes
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract (optional)Allrecipes: Easy Chocolate Cupcakes
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- Choose one:
  - - 7 tablespoons butter and 9 tablespoons milkAllrecipes: Easy Chocolate Cupcakes
  - - 3/4 cup butter and 1/2 cup sour creamMarthaStewart.com: Easy Chocolate Cupcakes
  - - 3 tablespoons butter and 3/4 cup milkAllrecipes: Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)Bake and Destroy: The Best Chocolate Cupcakes
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder (optional)MarthaStewart.com: Hershey's Chocolate Cupcakes
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- Choose one:
  - - 1/2 cup milk at room temperatureMarthaStewart.com: Hershey's Chocolate Cupcakes
  - - 2 tablespoons butter and 1 large egg yolkEpicurious.com: Chocolate Cupcakes with Butterscotch Icing Recipe
Variations
- You can enhance the taste of your chocolate cupcakes by trying these variations:
1. Try substituting sour cream instead of milk.About.com: Chocolate Sour Cream Cupcakes
2. Add 1/4 cup instant coffee to make chocolate cappuccino cupcakes.Reynolds Kitchens Cupcake Central: Chocolate Cappuccino Cupcakes
3. If you like mint, add between 3/4 teaspoon to 3 teaspoons peppermint extract.Recipezaar: Chocolate Mint Cupcakes Recipe Reynolds Kitchens Cupcake Central: Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
4. Add 16 ounces light canned sweet cherries to make chocolate cherry cupcakes. Recipezaar: Chocolate-Cherry Cupcakes Recipe
5. Make your cupcakes more nutritious by adding 2 cups finely grated, unpeeled zucchini.Recipezaar: Chocolate-Zucchini Cupcakes Recipe