• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Sarah Pflugradt logo

  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Main
    • Sides
    • Soups
    • Dessert
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • About
  • Media
    • Substack
    • Books
  • Fueling & Performance

Small batch chocolate cupcakes with sprinkles

Jan 18, 2021 ·

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
photography credit: Kellyn Wilson Photography

You know those days when you just crave a cupcake, but making an entire batch of cupcakes is just not a good idea? Yeah, we all have those days. That’s when the small batch chocolate cupcakes come in handy.

I LOVE cupcakes. Seriously, I love them. I love all the flavors and the sprinkles. This is probably not what you would expect from a dietitian. While I think I have a more savory tooth than a sweet one, I do love a good cupcake.

What makes the dietitian part of me ring true, is that I only want one. I never feel the need to have more than that. Once I take care of that craving, I’m happy.

Photography credit: Kellyn Wilson Photography

Baking is like art to me, I just love to bake for the sole purpose of making something…to be creative. I need creative time in my day and sometimes baking satisfies that need.

We are not a frosting family, but maybe yours is. We like whipped cream. I know a lot of people see whipped cream and they are shocked that I would suggest a food so high in saturated fat. When you whip air in it, it’s less calories and less saturated fat than regular frosting…much less.

Here’s the comparison:

Whipped cream – 2 tablespoonsButtercream frosting – 2 tablespoons
15 calories140 calories
1.3 grams fat7 grams fat

Now, how do you like that? Even if you add sugar to the cream, it’s still much less. So, when you are making small batch chocolate cupcakes, try the cream instead of frosting.

Here’s how you make them, I hope you like them.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Small batch chocolate cupcakes with sprinkles

Print Recipe
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 cupcakes 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon table salt

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup canola oil

2 tablespoons brewed coffee

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup buttermilk

For the Whipped Cream Topping

1/4 cup heavy cream

3 teaspoons sprinkles

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F and line a cupcake pan with 6 cupcake liners. 

In a medium bowl, stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. 

Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and add sugar, canola oil, coffee, egg, vanilla, and buttermilk. 

Stir until just combined and you no longer see flour. 

Spoon the batter into the liners, about 2/3 of the way full. 

Bake on a center rack for 17-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 

Cool completely before adding whipped cream topping. 

To Make the Whipped Cream Topping

Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer, whip cream on high until the peaks are stiff and stand on their own, about 3-4 minutes. 

Top with sprinkles. 

  • Author: sarahpflugradt
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @sarah_pflugradt on Instagram and hashtag it #sarahpflugradtnutrition

Dessert, Vegetarian cupcakes, dessert, small batch, sprinkles

Footer

Need More Emails? Subscribe to my newsletter

  • Recipes
  • About
  • privacy policy/disclaimer
  • contact me

Copyright © 2025 Sarah Pflugradt on the Cravings Pro Theme