Small Batch Lilac Chocolate Cupcakes (Printable)

Moist chocolate cupcakes infused with delicate lilac syrup and topped with floral buttercream frosting.

# What You Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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
07 - 1 large egg, room temperature
08 - 1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
09 - 1/4 cup vegetable oil
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11 - 2 tablespoons lilac syrup

→ Optional Decoration

12 - 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
13 - Fresh lilac blossoms for garnish

→ Lilac Buttercream

14 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
15 - 3/4 cup powdered sugar
16 - 1 tablespoon lilac syrup

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the 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 medium bowl.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk sugar, egg, milk, oil, vanilla, and lilac syrup until smooth and well combined.
04 - Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
05 - Gently fold in chocolate chips if using.
06 - Divide batter evenly among the liners, filling each about 3/4 full.
07 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
08 - Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Beat butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in lilac syrup until smooth.
10 - Once cupcakes are cool, frost with lilac buttercream and top with fresh lilac blossoms.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The floral chocolate combination is surprisingly sophisticated yet completely approachable for everyday baking
  • Small batch means you can enjoy something special without leftover temptation or waste
02 -
  • Make sure your lilac blossoms are from an unsprayed source and safe for eating
  • Room temperature ingredients incorporate more smoothly and create better texture
03 -
  • Add a drop of food grade lilac extract to both batter and frosting for deeper floral flavor
  • Use gel food coloring if you want the frosting to have a subtle lavender tint

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