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Dark Side of The Moon Cupcakes

halved chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting with a chocolate filling oozing out of the center on a small white dish.

If you've been searching for the best chocolate cupcake recipe, this just might be your wingman. These triple chocolate cupcakes are fondly referred to as Dark Side of the Moon cupcakes for no other reason other than that they are downright mysteriously delicious. This post may contain affiliate links.

This is not your everyday run-of-the-mill dessert!

up close view of a batch of chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting and chocolate shavings on top.

These amazing triple chocolate fudge cupcakes have a few steps, but I promise they are all super simple and worth every effort.

Let's start by going over the ingredients that are needed to make these delicious hand-held treats.

The magic all starts with a box of cake mix and we will build on from there step-by-step.

halved chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting with a chocolate filling oozing out of the center on a small white dish.

DARK SIDE OF THE MOON CUPCAKES RECIPE

These triple dark chocolate cupcakes are the perfect dessert for any chocolate lover. They're rich, chocolatey, and extra fudgy! Plus, they're easy to make and require very simple ingredients. You'll love them!

These mysteriously dark and delicious cupcakes are loaded with chocolate flavor. Don't skip any of the delicious steps to make these from the mousse filling to the ganache frosting. The recipe also calls for a scrumptious coffee simple syrup that guarantees these cupcakes will be ridiculously moist.

DARK SIDE OF THE MOON CUPCAKE INGREDIENTS

This recipe is quite simple, but it involves combining a few micro recipes to bring it all together.

I thought it would be helpful to do a quick breakdown on what ingredients are needed for each part to give you a quick overview.

triple chocolate cupcake ingredients set out on a table

Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card to print the full recipe instructions that include the exact measurements needed.

CAKE MIX INGREDIENTS:

Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix

Cold Coffee

Eggs

Vegetable Oil

COFFEE SIMPLE SYRUP

Granulated Sugar

Hot Water

Coffee Extract

over the top view of chocolate cupcake batter in cupcake liners in a cupcake tin

MOUSSE FILLING

Hot Water

Heavy Whipping Cream

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Semi-sweet Chocolate

Granulated Sugar

GANACHE FROSTING INGREDIENTS

Heavy Whipping Cream

Dark Chocolate

freshly baked chocolate cupcakes out of the oven in a muffin tin. Various ingredients scattered around the tin.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES TOOLS/SUPPLIES

Here is a quick rundown of the kitchen tools and supplies that you need to make this recipe.

Mixing Bowls

Hand or Stand Mixer

Cupcake Baking Tray

Medium Saucepan

Whisk/Spatula (to mix ingredients)

Apple Corer or Wooden Spoon

Piping Bag 

Large Piping Tip (for ganache frosting)

using a foodbrush to add simple syrup to a batch of chocolate cupcakes

HOW DO I STORE THESE CUPCAKES?

You can store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days. You can also store them in the fridge, and they will stay fresh longer. If your house is on the warmer side, you may want to keep them in the fridge, so the ganache frosting doesn’t lose shape and melt.

woman spooning chocolate mousse into the centers of chocolate cupcakes

CAN I JUST USE A DIFFERENT CAKE MIX?

Absolutely! I try to stick with a “fudge” cake mix for this recipe, but any chocolate cake mix will work just fine. Just follow the directions for the water/eggs/oil amounts for that specific box of cake mix. I like to swap the water for cold coffee to really increase the chocolatey flavor of the cake.

overhead view of batch of chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting. vanilla extract nearby and food brush

These rich and indulgent treats are sure to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth. Plus, they're easy to make - perfect for last minute entertaining. Give them a try.

chocolate frosted cupcake being served on a small white plate and sprinkled with small chocolate shavings

I hope you're ready to get your chocolate fix with this cupcake recipe. It's a triple-chocolate decadence that takes the cake!

batch of chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting resting on kitchen counter. blurred single glass bottle of milk in background
woman holding a halved cupcake with chocolate mousse oozing out of it.

And if you love sweets, then here are some more recipes for you to try out: Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies, Snickers Brownies, and Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars.

close up view of fork full of chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting

It’s hard to believe that a cupcake could be this good. These Dark Side of the Moon Cupcakes recipe is the perfect dessert for any occasion, and it will impress your guests with its rich chocolate flavor.

Follow these instructions closely, and enjoy!

up close view of a batch of chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting and chocolate shavings on top.

Dark Side of The Moon Cupcakes

Yield: 24
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 21 minutes
Additional Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 41 minutes

A decadent triple chocolate cupcake that's extra fudgy. Dark Chocolate Fudge Cupcake recipe made from cake mix with chocolate mousse filling and chocolate ganache frosting. Delicious and somewhat mysterious.

Ingredients

  • For the Cake Mix:
  • 1 (15.25-ounce) box of dark chocolate fudge cake mix (or similar chocolate cake mix, I used Duncan Hines)
  • 1 cup cold coffee
  • 3 eggs
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • For the Coffee Simple Syrup:
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1 teaspoon coffee extract
  • For the Mousse Filling:
  • ¼ cup hot water
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, divided
  • For the Ganache Frosting:
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 16 ounces of dark chocolate, finely chopped

Instructions

Begin by preparing the chocolate ganache frosting.

In a medium saucepan, heat the heavy whipping cream until it is almost boiling.

Pour the heated heavy cream over the chopped dark chocolate and let it sit for about a minute or two.

Stir the chocolate until smooth and allow to cool for 1-2 hours in the fridge. 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Using a hand or stand mixer, combine the cake mix, coffee, eggs and vegetable oil in a large bowl.

Prepare a cupcake tray by either greasing the individual cups or placing cupcake liners

Fill each mold ¾ full of batter.

Bake for 18-21 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

While the cupcakes are baking, prepare the coffee simple syrup.

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and hot water.

Stir until the sugar has dissolved.

Allow to cool before adding the coffee extract and stirring to combine. Set aside.

Once the cupcakes have cooled, prepare the chocolate mousse filling.

In a large bowl, combine the water and unsweetened cocoa powder.

In a microwave safe container, or a double-broiler, melt the chopped semi-sweet chocolate in 20 second bursts until smooth. (Make sure to stir well each time and be careful not to overheat it and burn the chocolate).

Add the cocoa mix to the melted chocolate and stir until well combined. Allow to cool

In a separate bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat the heavy whipping cream and granulated sugar until stiff peaks form.

Fold in the chocolate mixture with a spatula until combine and chill in the fridge until ready to use.

Then, use an apple corer or a wooden spoon to create a hole in the center of each cupcake.

Using a pastry brush, brush the coffee simple syrup over each cupcake. Allow the syrup to soak in before filling the cupcake with the mousse.

Using a piping bag or a spoon, carefully fill each well of the cupcakes with the chilled chocolate mousse filling.

Next, take the chilled ganache frosting and transfer it to a piping bag.

Carefully pipe the frosting over each cupcake using whatever style tip you prefer (just make sure it is a large tip as the chilled ganache can be a little more difficult to squeeze through a small opening).

Garnish with chocolate shavings and serve.

If you try it out, don't forget to tag @cutefetti with a photo on social media so we can see how these ridiculously fudgy cupcakes turned out!

I hope you enjoy these delicious chocolate cupcake recipes as much as we do!

And don't forget to share it with friends who might also love these tasty treats too.

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One Comment

  1. Do you whip the ganache before putting it on the cupcakes? Or do you just use directly from the refrigerator?

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