5 from 2 votes

Small batch baking can sometimes be a lot trickier than just cutting a normal recipe in half. I've tested this cupcake recipe numerous times to yield four perfectly rich & moist small batch chocolate cupcakes. They are the perfect decadent treat when you're needing a quick dessert for a small group.

Overhead view of four Small Batch Chocolate Cupcakes.

These Chocolate Cupcakes are the Perfect Pick-Me-Up

Sometimes you don't want 24 cupcakes on your hands. If you're like me, that can get dangerous very quickly. Small batch baking is the perfect solution when you only want to bake a small amount of cupcakes. This small batch chocolate cupcake recipe bakes four perfectly decadent cupcakes in under an hour! And while they bake, I recommend whipping up my quick small batch chocolate frosting to spread or pipe on top.

If you are looking for a larger batch of cupcakes, try strawberry crunch cupcakes and Black Forest cupcakes!

This recipe is also great if you need a quick pick-me-up. When our dog, Spencer, went to be in doggy heaven, I made these cupcakes to share with my family. Chocolate always helps, right? Gathered in the kitchen with cupcakes in hand, we remembered his happy moments, like how he used to hop through the snow like a rabbit, popping his head out of a mound of snow. The thick snow would stick to his face and looked just like a Santa beard!

Flour, sugar and cocoa powder in a glass bowl.

Ingredients

All purpose flour - All purpose flour's moderate protein content provides enough structure to support the rise and texture of the cupcakes, without making them overly dense or crumbly.
Granulated sugar - Sweetens the cupcakes and helps retain moisture (since sugar is hygroscopic, aka moisture-retaining) so your cupcakes will stay soft and moist.
Unsweetened cocoa powder - You can use Dutch process cocoa powder for an even richer chocolate flavor.
Baking powder
Salt - I recommend to use either table salt or fine sea salt. Kosher salt grains are too large for baked goods like cupcakes.
Milk
Unsalted butter
Vanilla extract .
Semi-sweet chocolate chips - You can also use milk chocolate, white chocolate, or dark chocolate for different flavors. Or leave the chocolate chips out completely!

Recipe Video

Chopped chocolate falling on a chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting.

Let's Bake Small Batch Chocolate Cupcakes!

Flour, sugar, and cocoa powder whisked in a metal bowl.

Whisk the dry ingredients.

Milk, vanilla, and melted butter whisked in a glass bowl.

Whisk the wet ingredients.

Small batch chocolate cupcake batter in a glass bowl.

Combine everything together.

Four cups of a muffin tin lined with cupcake batter.

Fill a muffin tin & bake.

Recipe Tips

Fill your cupcake cups about two-thirds full with batter. If you fill them completely full, they'll overflow as they rise in the oven, and then they can sink in the center once they cool.
Allow your cupcakes to cool completely before frosting them. If you frost warm cupcakes, the butter in the frosting will melt, creating a big mess.
For an even richer chocolate flavor, add a half teaspoon of espresso powder to the cupcake batter with the dry ingredients. It will enhance the flavor of chocolate, without adding a coffee flavor.

A hand reaching for easy chocolate cupcakes.

Storing & Make Ahead Tips

Room Temperature: Store unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They will naturally begin to dry out after a couple days.
Fridge: Store frosted cupcakes in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Store unfrosted cupcakes in the freezer wrapped in plastic wrap then wrapped in aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Make Ahead: You can bake cupcakes ahead of time, and leave them unfrosted wrapped in plastic cling wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Just before you're ready to serve your small batch chocolate cupcakes, frost them. Or you can freeze them for up to 3 months ahead of time, like I did for my homemade wedding cake + cupcakes!