Description
These rich chocolate cupcakes are topped with a lush pomegranate-infused buttercream and fresh pomegranate arils for a tart, juicy burst in every bite—perfect for festive gatherings or an elegant dessert spread.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup hot coffee (or water)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp pomegranate juice (reduced)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 1 tbsp heavy cream (if needed)
- Fresh pomegranate arils (for topping)
- Dark chocolate shavings (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, oil, egg, and vanilla. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until just combined.
- Pour in hot coffee and stir until smooth. The batter will be thin.
- Divide the batter evenly among cupcake liners and bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
- To make the buttercream, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in reduced pomegranate juice and vanilla. Beat until fluffy and smooth, adding cream if needed for consistency.
- Pipe the buttercream onto cooled cupcakes.
- Top each cupcake with fresh pomegranate arils and optional dark chocolate shavings.
Notes
- Reduce pomegranate juice by simmering to concentrate flavor and prevent excess liquid in frosting.
- Use room temperature ingredients for smooth batter and frosting.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
