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Home » Recipe » All Manner of Sweet Things » Chocolate » Chocolate & Chilli Cupcakes

Chocolate & Chilli Cupcakes

Published on September 17, 2016 by Elizabeth Atia 36 Comments
Last Updated on January 28, 2019

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Add a bit of spice to your life with these indulgent cupcakes; the perfect quick weekend bake!

Chocolate and Chilli Cupcakes

Add a bit of spice to your weekend bake with these indulgent chocolate and chilli cupcakes!

Add a bit of spice to your weekend bake with these indulgent chocolate and chilli cupcakes!

Bizarrely enough, the chocolate and chilli combination is a favourite with my children, especially my younger children who, if a piece of freshly ground cracked black pepper should dare to appear in their dinner lament, with great theatrical gusto: “Fire in the mouth! Fire in the mouth!”

It makes no sense whatsoever, but hey ho, that’s kids for you!

Chocolate and chilli is a flavour combination that goes back for thousands of years, or so we learned when we were on our family Belgium Chocolate Experience in Brussels this summer.

Aztec Temple Painting - The Cocoa Museum, Brussels

Pictured above, an Aztec Temple with cacao trees in the foreground. Photograph taken in The Chocolate Museum in Brussels.

The Aztecs believed that cacao seeds were the gift of Quetzalcoatl, the god of wisdom, and they were traded as currency. A bitter fermented drink was prepared from the crushed seeds, mixed with spices. It wasn’t until chocolate was brought to Europe in the 16th century that we added sugar to it, and it started to resemble the chocolate taste we know now.

The Mayans mixed their roasted cacao seeds with water, chilli and corn meal, pouring the drink from vessel to vessel until the drink had a frothy foam on the top. Ancient hot chocolate!

Chocolate and Chilli Cupcakes

Now, chocolate is one of the most consumed ingredients in the world.

It’s eaten pretty frequently in our house, I’ll tell you that!

So yes, this chocolate cupcake recipe is really simple to make. Just sift the dry ingredients into a bowl, melt the cocoa powder (a proper decent amount too!) with the butter and some water to make a thick chocolate paste, and add to the dry ingredients with some soured milk, an egg and a touch of vanilla.

I’ve used ready made frosting for these because… lazy. Plus, I still haven’t found the perfect home made chocolate frosting recipe yet.

Chocolate and Chilli Cupcakes

Feel free to vary the quantity of hot chilli powder in the cake mix itself. I’ve used only 1/4 teaspoon which imparts a gentle heat to the bake, but you could always up it to half a teaspoonful if you’re feeling adventurous.

Alternatively, adjust the quantity of crushed chilli flakes on the top to vary the heat.

A rather delicious weekend bake for this shorter, colder Autumn days, if I do say so myself!

Enjoy!

Chocolate and Chilli Cupcakes

Table of Contents

  • Chocolate & Chilli Cupcakes
    • Affiliate Links
    • Instructions 
    • Environmental Information
      • Have you made this recipe?

Chocolate & Chilli Cupcakes

Add a little spice to your life with these indulgent chocolate and chilli cupcakes; perfect for these shorter, colder days.
4.5 from 8 votes
Print Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Author: Elizabeth

Ingredients

  • 150 grams plain flour
  • 3/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 90 grams granulated sugar
  • 90 grams light brown soft sugar
  • 1/4 tsp hot chilli powder or more, to taste!
  • 30 grams cocoa powder
  • 115 ml water
  • 60 grams butter
  • 75 ml full fat milk
  • 1/2 tsp distilled white vinegar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 tsp Madagascar bourbon vanilla bean paste
  • 400 grams chocolate fudge frosting (I used Betty Crocker)
  • crushed chilli flakes to decorate
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Affiliate Links

This recipe card may contain affiliate ingredient and equipment links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 190 C/ 170 C fan/ gas mark 5/ 375 F and line a 12 hole muffin tin with paper baking cases.
  • Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda, sugars and chilli powder together in a large bowl.
  • Measure out the cocoa powder, water and butter into a small saucepan and heat gently over a low heat until the butter has melted and the ingredients are combined. Do not allow this to boil!
  • Measure out the milk and whisk the egg into it. Add the vanilla.
  • Add the melted chocolate mixture and the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and stir to combine well. The batter will be thin.
  • Spoon into the prepared baking cases and bake for 20 minutes until well rise and springy. A wooden skewer inserted into the centre of the cakes will come out clean when done. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Frost and sprinkle with as many (or as few!) crushed chilli flakes as you'd like.

Environmental Information

Tried this recipe?Mention @TangoRaindrop or tag #elizabethskitchendiary!

OTHER CHOCOLATE CHILLI RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE
Double Chocolate Chilli Brownies by Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary
Chilli Hot Chocolate by The Hedgecombers
Chocolate Colettes with Vodka Chilli Truffle Fudge by Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary
Chipolte Chocolate Beany Burritos by The Veg Space
Vodka Chilli Truffle Fudge by Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary
Chocolate & Chilli Cake by Tin & Thyme
Raw Chilli Coconut Chocolate by Planet Veggie

LINKING UP WITH SOME BLOGGING CHALLENGES
We Should Cocoa by Tin & Thyme
Treat Petite by CakeyBoi and The Baking Explorer (host)

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Have you made this recipe?

Take a photo and tag @tangoraindrop or use the hashtag #elizabethskitchendiary and share on Instagram and Twitter. It would make my day to see your creations!

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Filed Under: All Manner of Sweet Things, Chocolate, Recipe Tagged With: chilli, chocolate, cupcake

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Comments

  1. Marta @ Foodaciously says

    March 10, 2019 at 7:32 am

    5 stars
    Hi Elizabeth, thanks for sharing this post! I love your chocolate cupcakes recipe and adding chili flakes gives a such a unique taste. I will definitely bake more of these soon 😀

    Reply
  2. Dinuguan Recipe by Ed Joven says

    February 11, 2017 at 3:45 pm

    I love chocolate cupcakes but I never tried something spicy. My wife will be doing this next week… Thank you for this, Elizabeth!

    Reply
  3. Aish Padihari says

    October 14, 2016 at 7:26 pm

    I know chocolate and chilli go very well together. Thanks for this wonderful recipe.

    Reply
  4. Amy @ Pressure Cook Recipes says

    October 9, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    Hi Elizabeth,
    I LOVE the flavors of chocolate & chilli.
    Need to try one of your cupcake recipes. They look gorgeous!
    Amy

    Reply
  5. Choclette says

    October 1, 2016 at 10:59 am

    Oh yes, hooray for the Aztecs and Mayans. Where would we be without chocolate? Possibly a bit thinner and fitter but not as happy 😉 Your cupcakes look superb and I’m a big chilli chocolate fan. Your kids liking chilli and not black pepper made me laugh. Thanks for sharing these with We Should Cocoa 🙂

    Reply
  6. Kat (The Baking Explorer) says

    September 24, 2016 at 10:49 pm

    What a fiery combination! The cupcakes look gorgeous and would be perfect for warming up an Autumn night.

    Reply
    • Kat (The Baking Explorer) says

      September 24, 2016 at 10:50 pm

      Forgot to add… thanks you for linking up with #TreatPetite

      Reply
  7. Igor @ Cooking The Globe says

    September 23, 2016 at 9:10 am

    I have never tried combining chilli and chocolate. However, this combo is quite popular, I even saw such chocolates in my local shop. Your cupcakes look perfect, maybe it’s time for me to overcome that hesitation 🙂

    Reply
  8. Johanna @ Green Gourmet Giraffe says

    September 20, 2016 at 3:07 pm

    Chocolate and chilli sounds like a great way to get kids to eat chocolate – might give it a go

    Reply
  9. Laura@howtocookgoodfood says

    September 20, 2016 at 9:46 am

    That icing looks amazing! I love combining spice with chocolate the flavours work brilliantly together.

    Reply
  10. Sarah Maison Cupcake says

    September 19, 2016 at 6:47 pm

    These look stunning! I always love the chilli chocolate desserts in Wahaca!

    Reply
  11. Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says

    September 19, 2016 at 4:07 pm

    These sound FAB. I used to like my chocolate plain and unadulterated, but I’m a recent convert to adding extra flavours. Chocolate and chilli should definitely be my next combination to try 🙂

    Reply
  12. Michelle @ Greedy Gourmet says

    September 19, 2016 at 9:57 am

    Ah, kids. One likes this, the other that. Rarely the same thing. You’re lucky that yours like chilli! Beautiful photos as always.

    Reply
  13. Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says

    September 19, 2016 at 9:33 am

    Chilli and chocolate are wonderful together! I’m envious of your piping skills!

    Reply
  14. Ninjakillercat says

    September 19, 2016 at 8:40 am

    A classic combination that is pure magic

    Reply
  15. Camilla says

    September 18, 2016 at 9:16 pm

    Your cakes look wonderful and my kids are like yours with a love of chilli so I know these would go down well here (plus we all love chocolate – of course:-)!

    Reply
  16. Alice Megan says

    September 18, 2016 at 7:26 pm

    I love chocolate and chilli and these look divine!

    Reply
  17. Heidi Roberts says

    September 18, 2016 at 4:27 pm

    I love the chocolate and chilli combination – sweet first hit then the warmth of the spice!! These look amazing!

    Reply
  18. Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery says

    September 18, 2016 at 4:07 pm

    LOL – “fire in the mouth!” I imagine this will be my child once he can talk, although he’ll be more “YES! MORE FIRE IN THE MOUTH!” because at 17 months, he eats spicier things than most of my adult friends. Your cupcakes are beautiful and I too love the chili-chocolate combination, so I’m adding these to my must make list.

    Reply
  19. Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says

    September 18, 2016 at 3:31 pm

    First, I love Belgium and all of the chocolate there! Second, I’m so intrigued by the combination of chili flakes and chocolate. Now, I’m excited to try it!

    Reply
  20. Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says

    September 18, 2016 at 1:33 pm

    They look intensely chocolatey and very good indeed. Chocolate and chilli is a magical combination.

    Reply
  21. Kate | The Veg Space says

    September 18, 2016 at 1:31 pm

    Ooh I love chilli & chocolate, these look so good! Gorgeous photography, just want to reach into the screen and grab one! Thanks for linking to my beany burritos!

    Reply
  22. Andrea @ The Petite Cook says

    September 18, 2016 at 12:39 pm

    I’m a massive fan of the chilli+chocolate combo. I feel people who never tried it are missing a lot!

    Reply
  23. Amy Marie says

    September 18, 2016 at 10:27 am

    Well – these look ABSOLUTELY amazing. I’ve never tried chocolate and chilli but I’m seriously tempted now.

    Xxx

    Reply
  24. Stella says

    September 18, 2016 at 10:26 am

    I love the look of this chocolate and chilli cupcakes. Looks yummy.

    Reply
  25. Dahn @savor the Best says

    September 17, 2016 at 4:24 pm

    I sometimes buy a chocolate bar with chili in it and it is such a great flavor combination, this is definitely a recipe worth trying

    Reply
  26. Heidy L. McCallum says

    September 17, 2016 at 4:04 pm

    I am in love with your Chocolate & Chilli Cupcakes, I made brownies last year and they were a huge hit…I bet your recipe would go over so well with my family—and psst your cupcakes look better than my plan old brownies!!! I can’t wait to try this recipe out on them.

    Reply
  27. Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says

    September 17, 2016 at 3:25 pm

    This made me laugh!!! I have 1 son who will eat hot curry (but not vanilla!!!!!!) and another who will spend 10 minutes trying to wipe his tongue after ingesting a fleck of pepper

    I am in love with these photos!!!!!
    They are gorgeous!

    Chilli chocolate is one of my favourites! I love the dark chocolate bars that are filled with fondant chocolate and chilli flakes. So good!!!

    Reply
  28. maria says

    September 17, 2016 at 3:24 pm

    Gorgeous photos! The Aztecs and the Mayans were definitely on to something … Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  29. Platter Talk says

    September 17, 2016 at 3:14 pm

    Great pictures & recipe! It reminds me of the movie Like Water for Chocolate. That is where I originally heard about mixing red chili with chocolate. Love this idea. Thanks.

    Reply
  30. Noel Lizotte says

    September 17, 2016 at 1:45 pm

    Love these cupcake photos! I’ve tried a few recipes that combine chocolate and chili. They usually get rave reviews from folks who love the flavor but can’t place the ingredient. Imagine their surprise when I tell them the secret…!

    This recipe looks like one I need to put into the rotation!
    yummed and stumbled!

    Reply
  31. Tara says

    September 17, 2016 at 12:51 pm

    Beautiful photos! I love the sprinkling of red chili flakes on top. Such a great combination!

    Reply

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Daydream adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Calls Shetland home - for now. One eye is always on the horizon. Read More…

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