These dark chocolate cupcakes are fudgy and rich, the perfect contrast to the bright pink buttercream frosting they’re topped with. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, I’ll show you how to take it up a notch more with your decorations and flavor, with stunning pink dipped Oreo cupcake toppers.
Pink is always in style! Whether you’re whipping up a batch of these treats for your next girls’ night, baby shower, birthday or Valentine’s day, once you’ve tried this recipe for yourself, you’ll come back to it again and again. Let’s get started!
How To Make Dark Chocolate Cupcakes With Pink Oreo Toppers
Step 1) Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and put cupcake liners in your cupcake pan.
Step 2) Bake
In a large bowl, sift together 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, ¾ cups of dark cocoa powder, 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar, 1 ½ tsp of baking powder, 1 ½ tsp of baking soda, and 1 tsp of salt.
In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs, ¾ cup of buttermilk, ¼ cup of vegetable oil, and 2 tsp of pure vanilla extract until thoroughly blended.
Gently pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just incorporated.
Gradually introduce the hot water into the mixture while continuously stirring. The batter will have a thin consistency, but that’s perfectly fine.
Bake your cupcakes at 350°F (180°C) for 20 minutes or until they spring back when lightly touched.
Step 3) Make Frosting
Allow the unsalted butter to come to room temperature until it’s soft. This usually takes about 1-2 hours. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the softened butter until it’s smooth and creamy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, to the creamed butter. Mix well after each addition until the sugar is fully incorporated.
Pour in the pure vanilla extract and continue to mix until it’s well combined with the butter and sugar mixture.
Add in the heavy cream a little at a time while continuing to mix at a high speed until your frosting is the right consistency. Add food coloring one drop at a time to get the right color.
Step 4) Make Pink Oreo Cupcake Toppers:
If you need a more in-depth tutorial on how to make these, check out my full recipe for Chocolate Dipped Oreos here.
Melt the pink candy melts according to the package instructions in a small bowl.
If your candy melts are too thick to dip the Oreos into, add some vegetable oil one teaspoon at a time.
Dip the Oreos one at a time with a fork and tap off excess chocolate.
Place them on a sheet of parchment paper or wax paper to dry.
Put the next color of white melted candy in a piping bag and cut off the very tip. Add this melted white chocolate drizzle over the top of the Oreo and then add your favorite sprinkles before it sets.
Once the Oreos are completely dry and set, cut them in half with a sharp knife to use as cupcake toppers.
Step 5) Decorate Cupcakes
Once your cupcakes are fully cooled to room temperature, you can decorate them with frosting, sprinkles and chocolate-covered Oreos.
Use a small open star piping tip like #21 and a piping bag filled with pink buttercream frosting. Pipe a swirl onto your cupcake starting at the outer edge and working in towards the center. Add half a pink chocolate covered Oreo and white or pink sprinkles to finish the decorating.
Tips, Tricks and Troubleshooting
Can I Use White Chocolate Instead of Candy Melts?
Candy melts are specifically designed for dipping and melting. They also come in a wide variety of different colors ready for you to use.
If you want to use white chocolate instead, you’ll need to buy white chocolate melting wafers as well as oil-based food color. Water-based food coloring will make your melted chocolate seize and harden.
Don’t use white chocolate chips because they’re specially treated to hold their shape.
My Chocolate Dipped Oreos Aren’t Smooth
Try adding a spoonful of vegetable oil like canola or sunflower to thin out your candy melts before dipping them. If your candy melts are too thick it will be difficult to dip them without it getting chunky and lumpy. Once you thin it out, you should be able to let the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl for a smoother look.
Can I Use Any Type of Cocoa Powder For The Cupcakes?
Regular cocoa powder will result in brown cupcakes; dark chocolate cocoa powder is preferred for its black color, and rich flavor. It creates a more intense, chocolatey taste and is less acidic.
Where Do You Find Black Cocoa Powder?
I found mine at a bulk bin store. You can also find dark chocolate cocoa powder online and in baking stores.
Why Do I Need To Use Hot Water?
Hot water helps dissolve cocoa powder more effectively. It also intensifies the flavor of the cocoa and it contributes to the overall moisture content of the cake.
Final Thoughts
Dark chocolate cupcakes with pink buttercream frosting topped with pink dipped oreos are the perfect combination of rich and sweet. No matter what kind of special occasion you’re making these for, they’re sure to be a big hit. The next time you have a bake sale, class party, or pot luck, these stunning cupcakes will steal the show. They’re the cutest addition to birthday parties and baby showers for little girls too.
On their own, chocolate covered Oreos are a simple no bake treat that makes for a beautiful pink party dessert or a great, easy Valentine’s day dessert idea. You can see my full recipe and tutorial for chocolate covered Oreos here for more guidance. You might also love these Pink Dipped Rice Krispie Treats!
Happy baking!
Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Pink Dipped Oreos
Equipment
- Microwave-safe bowl or double boiler
- Fork or dipping tool
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- piping bags
- Small open star piping tip
- cupcake liners
- Cupcake tin
- bowls
- spoons
- Electric mixer
Ingredients
Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 4-5 cups powdered sugar
- Up to ¼ cup heavy cream or milk
- 4 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Food coloring
Cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup black cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup hot water
Pink Oreo Cupcake Toppers:
- 12 Oreo cookies
- Candy melts or chocolate candy coating white, and pink
- 6 ounces 170 grams Pink chocolate candy melts
- 3 ounces 85 grams White chocolate candy melts
- Sprinkles
Instructions
Step 1) Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and put cupcake liners in your cupcake pan.
Step 2) Bake
- In a large bowl, sift together 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, ¾ cups of dark cocoa powder, 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar, 1 ½ tsp of baking powder, 1 ½ tsp of baking soda, and 1 tsp of salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs, ¾ cup of buttermilk, ¼ cup of vegetable oil, and 2 tsp of pure vanilla extract until thoroughly blended.
- Gently pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just incorporated.
- Gradually introduce the hot water into the mixture while continuously stirring. The batter will have a thin consistency, but that’s perfectly fine.
- Bake your cupcakes at 350°F (180°C) for 20 minutes or until they spring back when lightly touched.
Step 3) Make Frosting
- Allow the unsalted butter to come to room temperature until it’s soft. This usually takes about 1-2 hours. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the softened butter until it’s smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, to the creamed butter. Mix well after each addition until the sugar is fully incorporated. Pour in the pure vanilla extract and continue to mix until it’s well combined with the butter and sugar mixture. Add in the heavy cream a little at a time while continuing to mix at a high speed until your frosting is the right consistency. Add food coloring one drop at a time to get the right color.
Step 4) Make Pink Oreo Cupcake Toppers:
- If you need a more in-depth tutorial on how to make these, check out my full recipe for Chocolate Dipped Oreos here.
- Melt the pink candy melts according to the package instructions in a small bowl.
- If your candy melts are too thick to dip the Oreos into, add some vegetable oil one teaspoon at a time.
- Dip the Oreos one at a time with a fork and tap off excess chocolate.
- Place them on a sheet of parchment paper or wax paper to dry.
- Put the next color of white melted candy in a piping bag and cut off the very tip. Add this melted white chocolate drizzle over the top of the Oreo and then add your favorite sprinkles before it sets.
- Once the Oreos are completely dry and set, cut them in half with a sharp knife to use as cupcake toppers
Step 5) Decorate Cupcakes
- Once your cupcakes are fully cooled to room temperature, you can decorate them with frosting, sprinkles and chocolate-covered Oreos.
- Use a small open star piping tip like #21 and a piping bag filled with pink buttercream frosting. Pipe a swirl onto your cupcake starting at the outer edge and working in towards the center. Add half a pink chocolate covered Oreo and white or pink sprinkles to finish the decorating.
An absolutely delicious, decadent dessert!