Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
Ingredients:
For the Cupcakes:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup milk (whole milk or buttermilk)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate chips, if preferred)
For the Frosting (Optional):
1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
3-4 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
2-4 tbsp heavy cream (or milk, as needed)
Instructions:
1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Make the Cupcake Batter:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
Gently fold in the chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
3. Fill the Cupcake Tin & Bake:
Divide the batter evenly among the 12 cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs). The chocolate chips will make it a little trickier to check, so just be sure the center is set.
Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Make the Frosting (Optional):
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing until smooth.
Add the cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and heavy cream (or milk). Beat until the frosting is light and fluffy. Adjust the consistency with more cream or powdered sugar if needed.
5. Frost the Cupcakes:
Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them with the chocolate frosting using a piping bag or a knife.
Optionally, you can sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top of the frosting for decoration.
6. Serve & Enjoy!
Serve these rich, chocolate chip cupcakes at your next gathering or enjoy them as a sweet treat anytime. The soft cupcakes and decadent frosting will surely please any chocolate lover!