Marble cupcakes – they sound elegant, they look stunning, and they taste absolutely divine! These little treats get their name from their appearance, with swirls of vanilla and chocolate batter mimicking the look of a marble stone. But don’t let their sophisticated look intimidate you, because making marble cupcakes is surprisingly easy, even for beginner bakers.
This recipe will guide you step-by-step through the process, ensuring you end up with a batch of beautiful and delicious marble cupcakes that will impress everyone. Let’s get baking!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the cupcakes:
- 1 ¾ cups (210g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
- ¼ cup (60ml) melted unsweetened chocolate
For the vanilla and chocolate batters:
- Divide the vanilla batter in half.
- In one half, add 1 tsp of vanilla extract.
- In the other half, add ¼ cup (60ml) of melted unsweetened chocolate and ¼ cup (30g) of Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
For the frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar
- ¼ cup (60ml) milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Marble Cupcake Batter
Equipment You’ll Need:
- 12-cup muffin tin
- Cupcake liners
- Two large bowls
- Electric mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Piping bag and tip (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In another large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
4. Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla:
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Create the Marble Effect:
- Divide the batter evenly between two bowls.
- In one bowl, add the extra vanilla extract.
- In the other bowl, add the melted chocolate and cocoa powder. Mix each bowl until well combined.
- Scoop spoonfuls of each batter into the prepared cupcake liners, alternating between the vanilla and chocolate batters.
- Use a toothpick or a knife to gently swirl the batters together, creating the marbled effect.
7. Bake:
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
Baked Marble Cupcakes
8. Cool and Frost:
- Let the cupcakes cool in the muffin tin for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Make the Frosting:
- While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and salt, beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
10. Frost and Decorate:
- Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them with your desired frosting using a piping bag or a butter knife. Get creative and decorate with sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or chopped nuts.
Frosted Marble Cupcakes
Tips and Tricks:
- Room temperature ingredients are key! Make sure your butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature before you begin. This will help create a smooth and well-combined batter.
- Don’t overmix the batter. Overmixing can lead to tough cupcakes. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined.
- Test for doneness. To check if your cupcakes are baked through, insert a toothpick into the center of a cupcake. If it comes out clean, they are ready.
- Get creative with the frosting! You can use any type of frosting you like on your marble cupcakes. Chocolate buttercream, cream cheese frosting, and even a simple vanilla glaze would all be delicious!
FAQs About Marble Cupcakes:
Q: Can I use melted milk chocolate instead of unsweetened chocolate?
A: While you can use melted milk chocolate, keep in mind that it will make the chocolate batter sweeter and may alter the final flavor profile. You might need to adjust the sugar content accordingly.
Q: Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can bake the cupcakes a day or two in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Frost them on the day of serving.
Q: My cupcakes turned out a bit dry. What went wrong?
A: Overbaking is a common culprit for dry cupcakes. Make sure to check for doneness using the toothpick test and avoid baking for longer than necessary.
There you have it – a foolproof recipe for incredibly delicious marble cupcakes. Now, put on your apron, preheat that oven, and get ready to wow your friends and family with this classic treat!
