Brownie Cupcakes Recipe with Strawberry Frosting + Video

Brownie Cupcakes are the perfect combination of two classic desserts, bringing together the rich, fudgy texture of brownies with the cute and convenient form of cupcakes. They’re not only easy to make with simple ingredients, but also a decadent treat perfect for a party or even just an indulgent night at home. 

If you’ve ever wished for a way to combine your love for homemade brownies and cupcakes, this is the recipe you’ve been waiting for!

You’ll be surprised at how simple it is to whip up a batch of these scrumptious treats, using just a handful of ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. 

Plus, there’s a variety of ways to customize them to suit your taste buds – whether you prefer them plain and chocolatey, or loaded with decadent add-ins like caramel, nuts, or candies. 

Why You’ll Love Chocolate Brownie Cupcakes

If you are a chocolate lover, you’ve just found your perfect treat! Let’s dive into reasons why you’ll be excited to make and enjoy these scrumptious brownie cupcakes:

• Amazing flavors: Imagine the combination of a rich, fudgy brownie melding with the light, fluffy texture of a cupcake – that’s precisely what you get with brownie cupcakes! 
  
  The end result of this brownie recipe is an extraordinary dessert experience that balances both flavors and textures in one delightful bite. 
  
  Make sure to try different recipes to discover various flavor combinations that suit you.
  
• Versatile and customizable: Brownie cupcakes are so versatile, opening up a world of creative options for you to explore. 
  
  You can add your favorite fillings, frosting, or toppings to make them uniquely your own.

So go ahead, indulge your sweet tooth and give these amazing brownie cupcakes a try! 

Remember to have fun in the kitchen and share your delicious creations with friends and family.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• Ingredients should be at room temperature, including the eggs. It makes it easier to combine the ingredients, and it helps create more height in the brownie cupcakes.
  
• Don’t skip the salt, it enhances the chocolate flavor.
  
• Vanilla extract adds great depth and flavor to these cupcakes. I use a high quality pure vanilla extract.
  
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – use your favorite, but the end result will be better with the better quality ingredients.
  
• Strawberries– For the strawberry buttercream frosting, I am a HUGE fan of using freeze-dried strawberries. 
  
  Since they are dried, you can grind them into a powder and they won’t add extra moisture to the frosting. 
  
  Also, they add the most beautiful, natural pink color. The frosting will taste like it’s made with fresh strawberries. 
  
  If you can’t find freeze-dried strawberries, you can use strawberry puree or strawberry jam. 
  
  I prefer jam, as it’s easier to work with. However, you’ll need to use extra powdered sugar to create a thicker, creamy consistency in the frosting.

Equipment Needed

It’s time to make some delicious brownie cupcakes! Before we dive into the recipe, let’s gather all the equipment you need to make this baking process a breeze. 

Here’s a list of the essentials:

• Muffin pan/cupcake form: Choose a regular-sized muffin pan to create perfectly-sized brownie cupcakes.
  
• Paper liners: Line your muffin tin with paper cupcake liners for easy removal and minimal mess.
  
• Mixing bowls: You’ll need a large bowl and a medium heatproof bowl for your mix your brownie batter and wet ingredients.
  
• Whisk or electric mixer: Incorporate your ingredients smoothly for that perfect brownie texture.
  
• Ice cream scoop or tablespoon: Fill your muffin cups with the perfect amount of brownie batter with a scoop or spoon batter into cups.
  
• Wire rack: Let your brownie cupcakes cool down evenly and quickly before enjoying.
  
• Piping bag and piping tip for beautifully decorated cupcakes. You can also use a ziploc bag with the corner cut off.

With these tools ready, you can tackle this recipe confidently and create irresistible brownie cupcakes for you and your loved ones to enjoy! Happy baking!

Brownie Cupcake Recipe Notes

• These are not fluffy cupcakes. The consistency of the cupcakes is not cakey like you might expect with traditional chocolate cupcakes. 
  
  They are more like a dense brownie, which makes them rich and indulgent.
  
  In the world of chocolate desserts, our strawberry brownie cupcakes are a decadent Valentine’s Day dessert! 
  
  For a moist, cakey texture, add 1/3 cup of oil OR 1 extra egg to the wet ingredients.
  
• Be careful not to overbake the cupcakes. Each oven is different but checking at the 15-minute mark is key to see how much more they need to be kept in the oven. 
  
  Keep in mind that the last few minutes of baking time is crucial, so if the cupcakes aren’t quite finished baking, check back every two minutes. 
  
  To check the doneness of the brownie cupcakes, insert a toothpick into the center. 
  
  Perfectly cooked the toothpick will come out with a few moist crumbs for the perfect fudgy brownie center.

Innovative Flavor Twists

1. Java Jolt: Add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder or finely ground coffee beans into the brownie mix to create a delightful coffee-infused chocolate treat worthy of any coffee lover! 
   
   You can also sprinkle some coffee granules on top before baking to add an extra burst of flavor. 
   
2. Sweet ‘n’ Spicy: Turn up the heat in your brownie cupcakes with a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of cinnamon. 
   
   This spicy fun spin on brownie cupcakes can create a delicious contrast to the richness of the chocolate, leaving your taste buds begging for more.
   
3. Nuts for Nutty: Love a good crunch? Add chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the chocolate mixture. 
   
   Not only will this add a delightful texture to your brownie cupcakes, but it also brings an earthy, nutty flavor that complements the chocolate perfectly. 
   
   You could also use peanut butter chips or white chocolate chips. Or take it up a notch with mixed in peanut butter cups.
   
4. Chocolate lover: Use a chocolate frosting or rich chocolate ganache frosting and drizzle with melted chocolate kick up the cocoa power in these these chocolate brownie cupcakes. 
   
   Try topping the hot cupcakes with mini marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs for  s’mores brownie cupcakes.

Storage Instructions

Place your cooled fudgy brownie cupcakes in an airtight container and keep the container at room temperature. This way, your cupcakes will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3-4 days. 

You can freeze for 3 months by wrapping each cupcake in plastic wrap and storing in a gallon ziptop bag. 

Can I add other toppings to these fudge brownie cupcakes?

You can! Toppings are one of my favorite things to change up, so have fun with it. Using chocolate fudge frosting is always a hit, but you can top with powdered sugar, marshmallow fluff and crushed graham crackers, or your favorite frosting from the grocery store. I also think that peanut butter frosting would be SUPER yummy on this delicious cupcake recipe! 

You can also keep these as unfrosted cupcakes as well and just enjoy the dense texture of the brownie cups.  This is what makes delicious recipes like this super fun and easy to make! 

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Other Strawberry Desserts

Originally published February 2018, updated and republished December 2024

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