Can’t decide if you want chocolate or vanilla cupcakes? Meet in the middle with these easy Marble Cupcakes with chocolate buttercream frosting. You get the best of both worlds!
Marble Cupcakes
Serve these cupcakes after a dinner of crock pot chicken tortilla soup with chips & salsa.
I think we can all agree that cupcakes are just awesome. They’re so easily portable and just the right portion size.
Had a hard day at work? Have a cupcake. Dinner’s over and you need a little something sweet? Grab a cupcake. Want to brighten your kids day after school? Cupcakes to the rescue time and time again.
These hand-held desserts are really quite perfect for any occasion as well. If you’re looking for a simple cupcake recipe that is certain to be a treat, you’re going to love the ease and taste of these Marble Cupcakes.
Ingredients
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe, why you need them, and possible substitutions. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with measurements.
JumpFor the cupcakes
- Flour
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Butter
- Sugar
- Egg
- Green Yogurt
- Milk
- Vanilla Extract
- Cocoa Powder
For the chocolate buttercream
- Powdered Sugar
- Cocoa Powder
- Butter
- Heavy Cream
- Vanilla Extract
How to make Marble Cupcakes
This section shows you how to make this recipe, with process photos showing the steps to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
JumpMaking these marble cupcakes is really easy. You’ll make the chocolate and vanilla batters then use a cookie scoop (or Tablespoon) to layer vanilla and chocolate batter into each cupcake liner. Then, you can choose to either swirl the layers gently with a toothpick, or just leave the layer stacks.
Either way, these from-scratch cupcakes are easy to make and the end result? Stunning and delicious!
Impress yourself and all your family and friends by whipping up a batch of these yummy homemade cupcakes today!
Helpful Tools
Need more cupcake recipes? Try these:
Marble Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- 1 ⅔ cups flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg at room temp
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- ¾ milk + 1 Tablespoon milk divided (I used 2%)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
For the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup salted butter softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 Tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
To make the cupcakes
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a cupcake pan with liners. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix together and set aside.1 2/3 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- In a large microwave safe bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Add in the sugar and whisk until combined. Chill in the fridge for about a minute.1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup sugar
- Add in the egg, yogurt, 3/4 cup milk, and vanilla and stir (I used a whisk) until combined.1 egg, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 3/4 milk + 1 Tablespoon milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Slowly add in the dry ingredients and mix until smooth. The batter will be thick.
- Make your chocolate batter by removing 3/4 cup of the vanilla batter and putting it into a small bowl. Add in the cocoa powder and tablespoon of milk and whisk until combined.1/4 cup cocoa powder
- I used a cookie scoop (or you can use a tablespoon) to add in 1 Tablespoon of vanilla batter into each cupcake liner.
- Top each with a spoonful of chocolate batter.
- Then top with another layer of vanilla batter.
- You can either gently swirl the layers together with a toothpick or just leave the flavor layers. I did a few of each.
- Bake the cupcakes for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before you frost them.
To make the Chocolate Buttercream
- Add the softened butter to the bowl of your stand mixer (or a large bowl & use your hand mixer) and cream for about 2 minutes on medium speed until creamy.1/2 cup salted butter
- Meanwhile, add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder to a medium bowl and whisk together so it’s fully combined.3/4 cup cocoa powder
- Turn the mixer down and slowly add in the powdered sugar mix, heavy cream, and vanilla (I did it in thirds). Beat on low speed after each addition.3 Tablespoons heavy cream, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 3 cups powdered sugar
- Once all the ingredients are incorporated, beat on medium until creamy, about two minutes. Add in a pinch of salt, if needed, but I think using one stick of salted butter helps to balance the sweetness.1/2 cup unsalted butter
- Frost your cooled cupcakes & enjoy!
Notes
For a marbled look, gently swirl the batters with a toothpick—or leave them layered for a stacked effect.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag me on Instagram @melissa_pplates so I can see!Cupcake recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction
Did You Make This?
If you made this recipe, I’d love to know how it went in the comments section below.
You can also tag me on Instagram – @melissa_ppplates or share a pic in the Persnickety Plates Community Facebook group. I love seeing what you’ve tried!
Originally published March 11, 2014
I so want to win this bright collection 🙂 And you marbled cupcakes look amazing!!!
Hi Melissa, this collection is fabulous ! I entered and crossing my fingers that I win. Love it!! Thanks for a chance to win this wonderful collection and your cupcakes look yummy!
Kim from This Ole Mom