A rich, moist buttermilk chocolate cake is paired with a silky bittersweet chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream and filled with an easy homemade lemon curd. These are fabulously addictive Double Chocolate Lemon Surprise Cupcakes!
The Chocolate SMB is creamy and smooth with a delicate chocolate flavor. Unlike the American Buttercream, this frosting isn’t overly sweet – a perfect pairing with this intense chocolate cake! The tart lemon curd surprise in the middle elevates these cupcakes above the quotidian!
Of course, this double chocolate lemon surprise cupcake could stand alone with no filling. A chocolate ganache or caramel filling is never remiss, but the slightly tart lemon curd tantalizes the tastebuds!
I was experimenting with how buttermilk vs sour cream tasted in chocolate cake, but I loved both so much that I had to use them both. The sour cream variety was a bit lighter and more springy, while these buttermilk chocolate cupcakes are a bit denser and more like pound cake. I love pound cake.
The cake in these double chocolate lemon surprise cupcakes melts in your mouth while the chocolate flavor intensifies.
Because of the SMB debacle, during which I learned the hard way what not to do with SMB, these poor little cupcakes sat, un-iced, for 3 days. So, if you would indulge me please, imagine these cupcakes in their original glory! They were even more moist with a small, delicate crumb. I was amazed with how well they stood the test of time in the dry air! Even on day three they were delicious!
Double Chocolate Lemon Surprise Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (1 cup +2 tablespoons )
- ½ cup Dutch processed cocoa powder (the highest quality possible)
- ½ teaspoon espresso powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
- 1 ¼ cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate (melted (I used Ghirardelli 60%))
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup low fat buttermilk (room temperature)
Instructions
To make the Cupcakes:
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Line two muffin tins with 18 cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder and salt; set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment beat the butter and sugar together on high until thick. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla with the last egg. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the melted chocolate and mix to incorporate.
- Reduce mixer speed to low and alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk beginning and ending with flour, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. I did three additions. You want to stop mixing as soon as the last of the flour has been incorporated.
- Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tins. The batter should almost reach the top of the liner. Bake in preheated oven 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few clinging crumbs.
- After 2 minutes, remove to a wire rack and let cool completely before filling or frosting.
To Prepare the Buttercream:
- Follow the recipe for Swiss Meringue Buttercream but add 75 grams bittersweet chocolate (melted and cooled) after adding vanilla and salt.
Notes
Melissa says
Hi I have tried rereading your recipe but don't see the quantity required for buttermilk, can you please advice? Am going to bake it for my baby girl's party this weekend. Really excited to try the chocolate-lemon combination thanks!
Lindsey says
Hi Melissa! Oh my goodness! Thank you so much for the comment. It is the last ingredient in the recipe but I typed "buttercream" instead of "buttermilk". I will change the recipe immediately! Thank you again for asking. Happy baking! And let me know how you like them 🙂
Ella-HomeCookingAdventure says
These are amazing.. love the photos.. incredible tempting:)
Lindsey says
Thanks, Ella!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
Amazing cupcakes! never tried chocolate with lemon, bet it tastes awesome and I love the way you have frosted the cupcakes,very pretty 🙂
Lindsey says
Thanks, Manali! It was surprisingly good!
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
That frosting looks so creamy! I think the lemon curd was a great addition!
Lindsey says
It was super creamy!
Shashi @ runninsrilankan says
WOW - gorgeous cupcakes - I so so love the frosting on top and that lemon curd poking through!
Lindsey says
Thanks, Shashi!
David @ Spiced says
Ok, you just need to stop posting these amazing cupcakes. I'm a little bit jealous at your cupcake decorating abilities. Oh, and I love the lemon + chocolate combo here...what a delicious idea! Oh, and I love pound cake. A lot.
Lindsey says
Hahah! Thanks, David! I'll show fluffy and airy the back door whenever pound cake shows up. I've grown rather fond of you but I'm just not sure I can comply with your request! I LOVE cupcakes! And they have the added bonus that I don't eat an entire cake.
David @ Spiced says
Hmmm...you do make a valid point about cupcakes and not eating the entire cake. But the problem arises when you eat all of the cupcakes instead. I think you need to make yours look uglier so that I don't want to eat all of them. just half of them.
Lindsey says
Want to know a secret? I always bake a half recipe of cupcakes. That way I only have 6 - 8 cupcakes to eat and pass off to taste-testers! If I made them ugly, then no one would want to eat them and I'd be sad. You don't want to make me sad, do you, David? 😉
David @ Spiced says
Ooo...I like secrets!! I don't think I like secrets that involve less cupcakes, though. But I really don't want to make you sad, so I guess I'll have to settle for this secret.
Lindsey says
Haha such a team player!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Gorgeous gorgeous cupcakes Lindsey! I absolutely love the surprise lemon filling inside - that sounds like such an amazing combination paired with the silky chocolate SMB. Pinning this stunning beauty 🙂
Lindsey says
Thanks for the pin, Kelly! You are too sweet! The lemon chocolate combo just works here!
Judit + Corina @ Glamorous Bite says
These cupcakes look extravagantly delicious! Love...love the lemon surprise, and even after 3 days looks very moist and glorious 🙂
Lindsey says
Thanks J&C! I was impressed with how they stood the test of time and air.
Jessica @ Sweet Menu says
Incredible! I would LOVE to eat one of these! Lemon curd is my weakness!
Lindsey says
Well I've got some languishing in the back of my fridge if you wanna just come on over!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Seriously tell me your secrets to getting cupcakes this perfect! My cupcakes have never turned out as good looking as these before.. loving the lemon surprise in the middle especially. I will be recreating the recipe, and hopefully be having some luck!
Lindsey says
Thanks, Thalia! I hope you do make them! Patience is my main secret. Apparently decorating cupcakes is the only time I do have patience! I also have some tricks for certain shots. I've thought about doing a post on it but I didn't really know if anyone would read it 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I don't think I've ever had lemon with chocolate, but I want to try it now. Beautiful!
Lindsey says
Whhaat?! It is surprisingly good! I don't think every combination would work like it does with some classic combos like peanut butter and chocolate, for example. 🙂
Liz says
I love that mound of ruffly frosting! And then the lemon surprise!!! So much yumminess in each cupcake!
Lindsey says
Thanks, Liz!
Miss Kim @ behgopa says
Wow these look awesome. Yeah, you are SO like my character, Michelle....natural born baker. I'd so love to come to your bakery.
Lindsey says
Right you are! And I'm flattered bc Michelle is obviously way cooler than me. BTW - my middle name is Michelle. Just thought you should know. 😉
There is no bakery, so you'll just have to settle with free cupcakes in my kitchen. #gettotheeastcoast
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
You always have the best cupcake recipes Lindsey! And these pictures are so good I had to pin 2 different pictures because I couldn't do just one!
Lindsey says
You are the sweetest!! Thanks for the pinS, Christin!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Oh man, these cupcakes are calling my name, Lindsey! They look gorgeous! And I love that you filled them with your homemade lemon curd. Sounds delicious! Pinned!
Lindsey says
I had to do something with it other than eat it by the spoonful! lol Thanks, for the pin, Gayle!
marcie says
These cupcakes are gorgeous, and I love that surprise lemon curd filling -- I would definitely use that! The cupcakes sound delicious, and I can't wait to make some! Pinning. 🙂
Lindsey says
Thanks for the pin, love! I do love cupcakes because they are pretty. I'm so easy to please! {Actually that's a lie - I am super difficult to please when it comes to food...} I hope you do make them!
Ernesta @BakingSecrets says
They are so cute. Very delicious
Lindsey says
Thanks, Ernesta. I wish all food could be cute 😉
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says
I am SO impressed with how perfectly you frost your cupcakes---mine look like a cupcake train-wreck compared to your little beauties! I am loving the lemon "surprise" in these fun cupcakes!
Lindsey says
Hahaha! Thanks, Sarah! I think its all about the using the right tip. And a touch of patience!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
These cupcakes are gorgeous Lindsey and I bet they taste great too. Have you ever thought of opening a cupcake company? Because I think you'd rock it! And, there's no way these cupcakes would've sat 3 days at my house - hello!!! Eat them unfrosted! 🙂
Lindsey says
There have been numerous requests/suggestions to open a bakery by family member and random people that I feed! I feel exhausted just thinking about it! 🙂
ps- there were numerous "taste tests" done prior to frosting but, alas, photographing them unfrosted was not an option!
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
That swiss meriungue buttercream! Yum! I've never had a chocolate cupcake with a lemon surprise filling, and I bet the tart lemon is a great match for the sweet chocolate!
Lindsey says
Thanks, Kristine! I loved them!