Small Batch Lilac Chocolate Cupcakes (Printable Version)

Floral lilac and rich chocolate combine in these moist, aromatic cupcakes—perfect for spring celebrations and afternoon tea.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (65 g)
02 - 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (25 g)
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1/8 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 g)
07 - 1 large egg, room temperature
08 - 1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature (60 ml)
09 - 1/4 cup vegetable oil (60 ml)
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11 - 2 tablespoons lilac syrup

→ Optional Decoration

12 - 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (60 g)
13 - Fresh unsprayed lilac blossoms for garnish

→ Lilac Buttercream

14 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (55 g)
15 - 3/4 cup powdered sugar (90 g)
16 - 1 tablespoon lilac syrup

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 6-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
02 - Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl.
03 - Whisk sugar, egg, milk, oil, vanilla, and lilac syrup in separate bowl until smooth.
04 - Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
05 - Gently fold in chocolate chips if using.
06 - Divide batter evenly among liners, filling each about 3/4 full.
07 - Bake for 16-18 minutes until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
08 - Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Beat butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in lilac syrup until smooth.
10 - Frost cooled cupcakes with lilac buttercream and top with fresh lilac blossoms.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The floral chocolate combination tastes like spring decided to marry dessert
  • Small batch means you can experiment without committing to two dozen
02 -
  • Overmixing the batter will make your cupcakes tough, so stop as soon as the flour disappears
  • Room temperature ingredients create the best texture, so plan ahead and set everything out early
03 -
  • Add a tiny pinch of lavender to the buttercream for an even more complex floral profile
  • Brush the warm cupcakes with extra lilac syrup before frosting for an extra moisture layer

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