These double chocolate cupcakes make perfect ice cream cone cupcakes, or you can bake them in a traditional pan. They’re moist and delicious either way.
This past Saturday was Mister Man’s half birthday, and yes, these are occasions that we celebrate in my house.
It isn’t done up all the way like a full birthday party, but the half-birthday child chooses the dinner and also a type of cupcake. Cakes are for full birthdays, and cupcakes are for half birthdays in my house.
Mister Man requested a chocolate cupcake with chocolate chips. And strawberry frosting. Uh-huh.
Mommy doesn’t like chocolate cake, so it’s possible that someone tried to talk him into a different type of cupcake and failed miserably.
So instead, I did my darndest to make a type of chocolate cake I could eat. And enjoy.
I had intended to puree and strain strawberries for the frosting but when I bought strawberries at the store, I forgot I was buying them for my mom for her Easer salad and neglected to get any for myself.
Instead, I got creative with a half package of strawberry Jell-O. The flavor was good, albeit somewhat crunchy.
If I did that again, I’d heat the milk slightly and stir the Jell-O until dissolved instead of adding it to the frosting with the powdered sugar.
No one complained though. In fact, my dad had three. I’d say that’s a ringing endorsement!
Some links in this article are affiliate links that may earn me a commission if you purchase through them.
How to Make Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting
For the Cupcake:
Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (don’t skip this step or shortchange it!). Beat in eggs and vanilla until well mixed.
Add cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Mix until well combined. Add 1/3 cup milk. Mix again. Add 1/2 cup flour. Mix until just combined. Add the remaining 2/3 milk and mix well. Add the last 1 cup flour and stir until about halfway mixed in.
Add the chocolate chips and stir with a spoon until just mixed in.
a) Fill ice cream cones about to the first lip of the cone where it starts to get wide (this makes about 28 cones) or b) fill greased muffin tins with the batter until about 3/4 full.
Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes. If you do cones, it will take longer. Be patient. It’s worth it.
For the Strawberry Jell-O Frosting:
Cream the butter. Heat the milk until simmering, then add the Jell-O and stir until the Jell-O is dissolved.
Add the milk to the butter and beat to combine. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar (slowly) and mix until well combined.
Wait until the double chocolate cupcakes are fully cooled before frosting.
Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting
Ingredients
For the cupcake:
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
For the Strawberry Jell-O Frosting:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup milk heated
- 1/2 package strawberry Jell-O
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
For the cupcake:
- Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla until well mixed.3/4 cup unsalted butter, 1 1/4 cups sugar, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Add cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Mix until well combined. Add 1/3 cup milk and then mix again. Add 1/2 cup flour. Mix until just combined. Add the remaining 2/3 milk and mix well. Add the last 1 cup flour and stir until about halfway mixed in.1/2 cup cocoa, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup milk, 1 1/2 cups flour
- Add the chocolate chips and stir with a spoon until just mixed in.2 cups chocolate chips
- a) Fill ice cream cones about to the first lip of the cone where it starts to get wide.b) Fill greased muffin tins with the batter until about 3/4 full.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes. If you do cones, it will take longer.
For the Strawberry Jell-O Frosting:
- Cream the butter. Heat the milk until simmering, then add the Jell-O and stir until the Jell-O is dissolved.1/4 cup unsalted butter, 1/3 cup milk, 1/2 package strawberry Jell-O
- Add the milk to the butter and beat to combine. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar slowly and mix until well combined.1 teaspoon vanilla, 3 cups powdered sugar
- Wait until the double chocolate cupcakes are fully cooled before frosting.
Notes
- For cupcakes baked in cones, expect an additional 10-15 minutes of baking time. Start checking for doneness at the 20-minute mark.
- For more tips and tricks, be sure to read the full article above.
Nutrition
This site uses an online source to provide nutrition estimates as a courtesy. If you need exact values, please calculate yourself.
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
These look so cute and sound amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a cute idea and they sound delish!! 😀
what a handsome little dude!
Wow. Thanks for the recipe’s
That’s creative to use the jello!
They look fabulous!
Wow – you are WAY on top of things if you can remember your kids’ half-birthdays. Kudos to you! That will be something they can always recall as they grow up 🙂
Thanks for visiting my blog…I’ve never made sushi before but I might have to take a shot at it.
Kelly – I’m sure there was no pun intended there… right?
Kori – That sounds SO cool. WHERE did you get that? I need to find one!
Amy – They taste pretty good. I have a few left in the freezer 🙂
Brenda – The no mess is actually one of my favorite parts of it. I hate cleaning dishes!
septembermom – Creative? Ha! I think that’s the first time someone’s ever said that to me.
Cupcake Dessert – Given your name, I think you definitely do. Have you really never tried ice cream cone cupcakes?
Angela – I’m glad you approve. I was a little nervous about it. Granted, the other half of the Jell-O was used when one of my August birthday people wanted a strawberry cake and I couldn’t find one that doesn’t use Jell-O.
Sheryl – Honestly, it’s really not much more time or effort than a box. They come together so quickly!
Heather – I’m glad you think so. My husband doesn’t believe in them!
Veggie Mom – Oops, sorry 🙂 But hey — at least I helped with the deer!
Live.Love.Eat – Glad you think so. They’re totally worth it!
Sherry – They totally are. Try ’em!
tt millers – Awww, thank you! I think so, but I know I’m biased.
Tulsi – You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy.
Cookie – Yeah… I think creative is about right. Fortunately, it turned out ok!
Courtney – Half birthdays are easy. Remember, they’re at the age when going from 5 to 5 1/2 is a big deal!
I have never thought of that combo before: choco cake and strawberry frosting! My kids would explode with excitement if I baked cupcakes into ice cream cones. I’ll have to try that this summer and become mom of the year in their eyes! 🙂
Angela – Cupcake ice cream cones are way easy and fun! And yep, the kids think they’re pretty neat. They’re also (score) slightly less messy to eat than normal cupcakes. Leave it to Mister Man to come up with a new combo….