Print

Chocolate and Gold Cupcakes – Elegant Luxury Cupcakes with Ganache Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 92 reviews

These Chocolate and Gold Cupcakes are an elegant and luxurious treat featuring moist, rich chocolate cupcakes topped with a smooth dark chocolate buttercream and adorned with edible gold leaf for a stunning finish. Perfect for special occasions or when you want to impress with a sophisticated dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Cupcakes

  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (130g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (45g) unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed preferred)
  • ¾ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120ml) hot coffee or hot water

Dark Chocolate Buttercream

  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2½ cups (300g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • ¾ cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream, plus more if needed
  • Pinch of salt

Optional Gold Topping

  • Edible gold leaf or gold shimmer dust
  • Fine gold sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a standard muffin pan with 12 cupcake liners to prepare for baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined.
  3. Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and uniform in texture.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredient bowl and gently stir until just combined, taking care not to overmix the batter.
  5. Add Hot Liquid: Slowly pour in the hot coffee or hot water while stirring continuously until the batter becomes smooth and thin.
  6. Fill Cupcake Liners: Evenly divide the batter among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
  7. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
  8. Cool: Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  9. Make Buttercream Base: Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the softened butter for 3–4 minutes until light and fluffy.
  10. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and cocoa powder while mixing on low speed until fully incorporated into the butter.
  11. Finish Frosting: Add the vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and the heavy cream. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for an additional 2–3 minutes until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. Adjust consistency with more cream or powdered sugar as needed.
  12. Frost Cupcakes: Transfer the prepared frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe tall swirls on top of each cooled cupcake.
  13. Add Gold Topping: Carefully apply small pieces of edible gold leaf or lightly dust cupcakes with edible gold shimmer dust. Optionally, sprinkle fine gold sprinkles for added luxury.
  14. Serve or Store: Serve immediately or store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • You can substitute hot coffee with hot water, but coffee enhances the chocolate flavor better.
  • Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature before making the buttercream to ensure smooth frosting.
  • When adding the wet ingredients to the dry, avoid overmixing to keep cupcakes tender and moist.
  • If the buttercream is too thick, add a little more heavy cream to reach desired consistency, or add more powdered sugar if too thin.
  • Edible gold leaf is delicate; use tweezers or a fine brush to apply carefully without tearing.
  • Store cupcakes in a cool, dry place; refrigeration may change texture but can be used if your environment is warm.

Keywords: chocolate cupcakes, dark chocolate buttercream, gold leaf cupcakes, elegant desserts, luxury cupcakes, party cupcakes

Find it online: https://recipeswithmia.com/chocolate-and-gold-cupcakes-elegant-luxury-cupcakes-with-ganache-recipe/