These super moist chocolate cupcakes are just 88p a batch
These chocolate buttercream cupcakes are delicious as well as a great frugal rainy day activity for the whole family. We make this dairy-free but you can use normal unsalted butter if you prefer.
My kids love making these cupcakes, mainly because they’re quick and easy to make, and only take around 20 minutes to cook!
This recipe makes 12 cupcakes. You can’t freeze them, but to be honest, they won’t be around that long, if your house is anything like mine.
The good thing is, this recipe is so versatile. The original recipe asks for eggs and salt, but if I don’t have any, I just replace the eggs with milk and leave the salt. Taste and consistency wise, we didn’t notice.
I use a metal spoon to stir, and just do it enough for everything to be combined nicely, without any of the flour showing. I have used an electric hand whisk, which works well, but the kids love helping, and hand whisking, weirdly, is less messy!
These are really rich and easy to make if you are a beginner. They are moist and are divine with added chocolate chips. They are made with simple everyday ingredients so you don’t have to have anything special in. The buttermilk frosting on the top in a fan favourite here too.
We use these silicone cakes as you can wash them and reuse*.
You won’t find a better or easier recipe than this. You will need two bowls as the dried and wet ingredients need to start separately.
Do not overfill these! Halfway up the cases is fine as it stops them from sinking in the center or going over the top of the case.
Once the cupcakes come out of the oven leave them too cool. This could take a while. Don’t start icing in till they are cold or the icing will melt.
Equipment you will need:
Other dessert ideas
If you are looking for other cheap and yummy dessert ideas for the whole family then why not try:
Flapjacks
Chocolate cake
Chocolate brownies
These are all very cheap and simple to make. They make great celebration or party food as well.
You can decorate them with whatever toppings you like. We like chocolate tips or sprinkles.
Chocolate Cupcakes Ingredients
You can make these a day in advance as long as you keep them in an airtight container. If you prefer these smaller than you can buy smaller cupcake recipes or half the recipe for less. They will cook quicker though if they are smaller so watch them!
Make sure you get the butter and eggs out first so that they are all at room temperature. This makes it so much easier when you come to mix the batter together.
110 g vegan butter, softened 17p
110 g caster sugar 22p
110 g plain flour 8p
2 tsp baking powder 3p
2 medium eggs 16p
1 tsp vanilla extract 2p
45g cocoa powder 20p
Total: 88p
(Prices correct at time of publishing.)
Related Posts:
- 19 Cheap Food Shopping Hacks That Could Save You Hundreds
- 31 Aldi Slow Cooker Recipes For The Whole Family
- 75 Slimming World Vegetarian Recipes That The Whole Family Will Enjoy
Chocolate Cupcakes Method
Preheat the oven to 180C/ 350F / Gas 4.
Line the muffin tin with cupcake paper cases.
Put the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat until pale and fluffy.
Sift in the flour and baking powder.
Beat the eggs and vanilla and add to the bowl.
Beat until just combined.
Spoon the mixture into the paper cases, making them as level as possible.
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until risen completely. They should look golden brown on top, but be firm to touch. (Don’t worry, when you bite into them, they’ll be soft and spongey.)
Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully before adding any toppings.
Now let’s talk toppings! Mine love butter icing and decorating them with chocolate chips and sprinkles. We’ve also made fillings for them, by cutting a small hole from the middle of each cupcake with a sharp knife and filling it with jam, chocolate cream or caramel.
Cheap meal ideas for the whole family
If you are struggling to fill your meal plan this week then why not have a look at:
The Ultimate Budget Meal Planning List: 31 Meals Under £1 Per Serving – This gives you a big list of meals that you can make for under one pound a head. All the meals are simple and include some slow cooker recipes and some that you can make beforehand.
Feeding a Family on a Budget: This Weekly Shop is Just £18 – This gives you a printable copy of our shopping list and meal plan so you can eat for less. All the meals are simple but this works if you need a budget shop this week.
101 Aldi Recipes That Will Give You Dinner Ideas For Tonight – If your meal plan is empty and you need ideas then this post is for you. The recipe are all made will Aldi food and can be bulked up if you suddenly have people over. None are expensive and are perfect for the whole family.
Remember that if you shop online to use cashback sites whenever you can. We use:
OhMyDosh which is an easy to use site that gives you cashback every time you spend through them. You can sign up using our link here and have £1 added to your account for free*.
Quidco are another easy site to use that also gives you the option to make money by answering surveys and watching videos. Sign up to Quidco here for free*.
Laura x
If you enjoyed this post and would like some more family friendly budget recipes or meal plan ideas, then head over to the budget food section here on Savings 4 Savvy Mums where you’ll find over 30 cheap posts dedicated to helping you cook and shop wiser for less. There’s enough tips to help you save over £300 a month! You could also pop over and follow my family food Pinterest boards for lots more ideas on how to eat well and spend less; Family Meal Plans on a Budget, Budget Family Meals & Budget Slimming World Recipes for Families.
Love this post? Then why not save it to Pinterest so you can easily find it later.
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The Very BEST Chocolate Cupcakes
This is an easy and delicious recipe that can make 12 cupcakes for just 88p. They can be made dairy free and can be decorated a range of different ways.
Ingredients
- 110 g vegan butter, softened
- 110 g caster sugar
- 110 g plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 medium eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 45g cocoa powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/ 350F / Gas 4.
- Line the muffin tin with cupcake paper cases.
- Put the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat until pale and fluffy.
- Sift in the flour and baking powder.
- Beat the eggs and vanilla and add to the bowl.
- Beat until just combined.
- Spoon the mixture into the paper cases, making them as level as possible.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until risen completely. They should look golden brown on top, but be firm to touch. (Don’t worry, when you bite into them, they’ll be soft and spongey.)
- Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully before adding any toppings.