These Black Bottom Cupcakes are dark and rich with a cream cheese center that will melt your Valentine’s heart!
Here’s to Valentine’s Day and eating all the chocolate!
When I think of Valentine’s Day, chocolate is the first thing that comes to mind. Not flowers, not mushy cards. Just chocolate.
I have my father to thank for that.
Growing up, my father was a HUGE fan of chocolate. Candy, cake, ice cream, cookies, you name it, he loved it!
There was always a box of Godiva chocolates (Dad’s favorite) in the dining room on the buffet. Everynight after dinner and dessert Dad would walk in and grab a piece.
Just one. Never two.
So every Valentine’s Day, without fail, there is something chocolate for my sweethearts.
This year it’s Black Bottom Cupcakes.
Rich, dark, chocolately cupcakes that are incredibly moist and fluffy with a smooth cream cheese center that will melt any Valentine’s heart!
Can you think of a better way to show your sweetheart how much you love them?
Enjoy!
A Few Cook’s Notes for Black Bottom Cupcakes Recipe:
I added the coffee to the cupcake batter to enhance the chocolate flavor of the cupcake. Don’t worry, the cupcakes will not have a strong coffee flavor at all.
The white vinegar is added to the batter to react with the baking soda to keep the cupcakes fluffy and moist. Don’t worry, you won’t taste the vinegar either.
Black Bottom Cupcakes
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Cupcakes
- 1 1/2 cups cake flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 cup fresh brewed coffee, cooled
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 Tbsp. white vinegar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- mini chocolate chips, for sprinkling, if desired
Instructions
Cream Cheese Filling
- In a medium bowl, combine all filling ingredients and beat with a hand mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. No lumps should remain. Set aside.
Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together cake flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Add the coffee, vegetable oil, vinegar and vanilla extract and mix until smooth and well combined.
- Fill each muffin cup 2/3 full with the chocolate batter and top with one heaping tablespoon of the cream cheese filling. If desired, sprinkle the cream cheese filling with some mini chocolate chips. Bake for 20 minutes or until the cream cheese mixture is set and a toothpick inserted into the chocolate portion comes out clean.
- Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to racks to cool completely. Refrigerate any leftovers.
Alida | Simply Delicious
I could so have one (or a few!) of those with a cup of coffee right now. They look perfect Mary Ann!
Mary Ann
t’s hard to stop at one Alida! Take it from one who knows!
Chris Scheuer
So simple but so delicious looking! I’d be thrilled with these for a V-Day treat!
Mary Ann
Totally simple Chris! Thanks!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
Black bottom cupcakes are the best! I haven’t made them for so long and your pics are making me crave them–I’ll have to try your recipe soon!
Mary Ann
They really are Kelsie! Hope you bake a batch! Happy weekend!
Dawn
Such a delicious dessert for Valentine’s Day or a random Thursday! They look so fluffy and I just want to grab one straight from my screen! Pinned! Have an awesome weekend ahead :)
Mary Ann
Any day Dawn! Hope you have a great weekend too!
annie@ciaochowbambina
These really work….my heart is melted! I’ve never made black bottom cupcakes…that will change! Pinned!
Mary Ann
Served these to our neighbor the other night Annie! He loved them!
2pots2cook
Dear, dear … melting already :-) Thank you and enjoy the day !
Mary Ann
Yay! You too!
Gerlinde @Sunnycovechef
I think my sweat heart ❤️ would like them, I am putting cream cheese on my shopping list.
Mary Ann
Bet you both will love them Gerlinde!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Do I have to share?! ;)
Mary Ann
Sharing’s over rated! Lol!
Marissa
I’m with you, Mary Ann: chocolate not flowers for me, please. I love that your dad savored one chocolate each night, true joy de vivre. These black bottom cupcakes are just the perfect treat to share with someone you love. The cream cheese center has me swooning…
Mary Ann
He LOVED his chocolate Marissa! And I loved him! He was always my best Valentine!
sue | the view from great island
Your photos make my heart skip a beat!!!
Mary Ann
Awwwww! Thanks Sue! XO
Matt Robinson
A couple of these with some coffee this morning sounds like a great way to start my day!
Mary Ann
I agree Matt!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
Give me chocolate over flowers any day! Especially if the chocolate is combined with cream cheese :) These are to die for!
Mary Ann
Me too Katherine! Thanks! Happy weekend baking!
Kevin
Isn’t this what Valentine’s day is all about, especially for chocolate lovers! Beautiful cupcake and extra special with that creamy center!
Mary Ann
Yes Kevin! It’s one of my favorite holidays because I love making treats for all my Valentine’s!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Jeremy is definitely a chocolate lover, so I know he would absolutely flip over these gorgeous cupcakes!!! And don’t even get me started on that cream cheese center – SWOON!!! These are Valentine’s day perfection! Pinned!
Mary Ann
Thanks Chey!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
These cupcakes look amazing! I can’t believe the willpower your dad had. I can never just stop at one. I’d have a hard time eating just one of these cupcakes!
Mary Ann
Thanks so much Kathy!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen
Mary Ann, you make the best desserts! They look so good and I just want to grab one right through the screen. I am adding this to my must bake list – my work pals are in for a treat. Hope you and Tom have a wonderful Valentine’s day!
Mary Ann
Thank you so much Geraldine. Honestly, these are incredibly easy and so rich and chocolatey. Your work friends will love them! So sweet of you to always bring in treats for everyone!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
These look like the most delicious cupcakes Mary Ann! And perfect for Valentine’s Day! Now, if I could just get my hubby to make them for me!;)
Mary Ann
Lol! Hope he does Leanne!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
Oh my gosh these are SO fluffy and light!! I’m with your dad, Mare…. more chocolate please. The addition of cream cheese, totally flips my switch. And I love your method for keeping these fluffy… the vinegar is so smart! Beautiful work, Mare!
Mary Ann
Thanks so much Traci! These are a winner with Tom!
Laura | Tutti Dolci
Such perfect cupcakes, I love these for Valentine’s Day!
Mary Ann
So does my Valentine Laura!