Creamy, indulgent chocolate meets juicy, slightly tart blackberries in these Dark Chocolate Blackberry Cupcakes — a dessert that feels both luxurious and comfortingly simple.
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time20 minutesmins
Total Time35 minutesmins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cupcakes, Easy
Servings: 12servings
Calories: 250kcal
Equipment
Mixing Bowl
Cupcake Pan
Whisk
Piping Bag
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
1cupall-purpose flourmeasured and leveled
1/2cupunsweetened cocoa powdersifted if lumpy
1tspbaking soda
1/2tspsalt
Wet Ingredients
1/2cupunsalted buttermelted and slightly cooled
3/4cupbrown sugarpacked
2largeeggsroom temperature
1tspvanilla extract
1/2cupbuttermilkshaken
1/2cuphot coffee or hot wateruse hot coffee for deeper flavor
1/2cupfresh blackberriesmashed (strain if you prefer fewer seeds)
Frosting Ingredients
1/2cupunsalted buttersoftened (for frosting), at room temperature
2cupspowdered sugarsifted if clumpy
1/4cupblackberry pureestrained to remove seeds (fresh or thawed frozen)
1tspvanilla extract(for frosting)
1-2tbspheavy creamoptional for desired frosting consistency
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with liners.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
In another large bowl, mix the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth and slightly glossy.
Add the eggs to the butter-sugar mixture one at a time, beating until incorporated, then stir in vanilla extract and the mashed blackberries.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients; mix until just combined — do not overmix.
Stir in the hot coffee (or hot water) until the batter is smooth and slightly thin; this helps develop a moist crumb and rich chocolate flavor.
Fill cupcake liners about 3/4 full with batter using a spoon or scoop for even sizing.
Bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
Remove from oven and let cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely before frosting.
For the frosting: in a bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then beat in blackberry puree and vanilla extract. If the frosting is too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream to reach piping consistency.
Frost cooled cupcakes with a piping bag or spatula and garnish with a whole berry or chocolate shavings if desired.
Notes
Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.