Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes Recipe with Fudge Filling

Every chocolate lover will love this Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes recipe! Rich chocolate cupcakes with delicious chocolate fudge filling that will have everyone wanting more. The first time you make these, you'll be hooked by the deep chocolate flavor.

chocolate fudge cupcakes recipe with bite missing showing filling inside

I'm pretty obsessed with this easy recipe. Not only is the top of each cupcake piled high with homemade chocolate frosting, but these cupcakes also have a better texture than most other desserts. They're moist and loaded with chocolate ganache!

If you like to put some fun spins on your desserts, you can always add chocolate shavings or chopped chocolate right on top of the frosting as well. People tell me that these are like hot fudge cupcakes because of the chocolate in the middle.

These moist chocolate cupcakes are fun and simple to make - and even better to share. Make these for holiday gatherings, school bake sales, or a fun weekend treat.

Be sure to check out my Cookie Dough Cupcakes for another fun chocolate recipe and a pop of flavor!

chocolate cupcakes with fudge filling topped with sprinkles

Ingredients

Salted butter - Adds a nice richness to the cupcake base.
Sugar - For a pop of sweetness.
Brown sugar - Adds warmth and sweetness to the cupcakes.
Eggs - Helps bind the dry ingredients together.
Sour cream - This is a great way to help cupcakes stay moist as they bake.
Vanilla extract - For flavor.
Flour - The main ingredient needed to make delicious cupcakes.
Cocoa powder - Used to get that chocolate flavor and dark coloring.
Baking powder - Helps to keep the cupcakes light and fluffy.
Milk - Used to thin out the frosting as needed.
Powdered sugar - Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
Semisweet chocolate chips - The key ingredient for the fudge filling.
Heavy cream - For the perfect texture in the filling.

See recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes

The printable recipe card below gives all the simple steps and ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Step One: Cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and mix well. Mix in the vanilla extract and sour cream.

Step Two: Grab a clean, large mixing bowl and whisk the flour, cocoa, and baking powder.

Step Three: Add ⅓ of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and then add ½ the milk. Repeat the process until the ingredients are mixed.

Step Four: Add the cupcake liners to the cupcake pan. I like to also spray with nonstick cooking spray.

Step Five: Fill the liners ⅔ full. Bake for 18-22 minutes until a toothpick comes out with only a few moist crumbs.

Step Six: Combine the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and stir well. Microwave for additional 15 second increments, if needed, to melt the chips.

Step Five: Stir well. It helped to use an electric mixer to thicken the ganache. Let cool to room temperature.

Step Six: Remove the center of each cupcake with a small paring knife or apple corer. Fill the middle of the cupcakes with the fudge filling.

Step Five: To make the frosting, cream the butter and the cocoa powder. Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time and alternate with milk.

chocolate fudge cupcakes on wire cooling rack

Step Six: Frost the cupcakes once they are completely cooled. We like to top with chocolate sprinkles.

Top Tip

Using a piping bag with a star tip is a simple way to make these fluffy chocolate cupcakes look professional! Start at the center and move outward in circles to create the appearance of a rose.

Substitutions

Dark chocolate chips - Using this as the melted chocolate instead of semisweet adds a nice flavor and taste. You can also use milk chocolate chips.

Variations

Add peanut butter - You can easily swap out the ganache and use peanut butter instead as the filling. This is a fun way to add a pop of flavor!
Mocha - Add some espresso powder to all the components. You can add a teaspoon to the batter, filling, and icing. This is similar to our Espresso Cupcakes Recipe with that variation.

This Dairy Free Chocolate Brownies Recipe is a simple dessert that is a must-make for chocolate lovers!

chocolate fudge cupcakes on wire cooling rack close up

Equipment

To make this chocolate fudge cupcake recipe, you'll want to have an electric mixer, a small bowl, a large bowl, a cupcake tin, a large measuring cup, and cupcake liners.

Storage

Once you make these best ever chocolate fudge cupcakes, storing them properly is key! Let the cupcakes cool down completely to room temperature and then store them in an airtight container. The filling stays fudgy at room temperature and gets firmer in the fridge.

For longer than a day keep them stored in the fridge for the best results.

You can also freeze these baked cupcakes as long as you wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag. I freeze them without frosting and then make the frosting homemade when I'm ready to serve and eat.

Common Questions

What is the best way to make moist chocolate fudge cupcakes?

The key to delicious cupcakes is making sure that you don't overbake them and also don't overmix when you're stirring the ingredients. Once the chocolate mixture is combined, it's time to pour into the liners to bake.

Once the time has passed for the cupcakes to bake, insert a clean toothpick into the center. As long as the toothpick comes out clean, the muffins are done baking and ready to cool down.

What other toppings can I add to this chocolate cupcakes recipe?

You can literally use anything that you want! I think that cream cheese frosting would be super delicious on top of these black forest cupcakes, or you could add mini chocolate chips as well!

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