If you’re craving a treat that combines the best of two worlds, the Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes Recipe is about to become your new favorite. Imagine ultra-moist, chocolatey cupcakes with a creamy, tangy cheesecake center—then the whole thing is crowned with a smooth ganache and a playful sprinkle of chocolate chunks. Every bite is a delightful contrast of textures and flavors, making these cupcakes just as perfect for celebrations as for a cozy night in. Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes Recipe isn’t just a dessert; it’s pure happiness in cupcake form.

Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the ingredients for this recipe is refreshingly simple, yet every single one plays a key role in creating that luscious taste and beautiful texture. Let’s break down the essentials you’ll need for your Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes Recipe, plus some handy tips to get the best results.

All-purpose flour: Gives the cupcakes their tender, cakey structure—go for sifted flour for the lightest crumb.
Cocoa powder: The real hero behind that deep chocolate flavor—choose unsweetened for maximum richness.
Sugar: Sweetens both the cake and the cheesecake filling, balancing all those decadent flavors perfectly.
Baking soda and baking powder: These leaveners help the cupcakes rise into fluffy, soft pillows.
Salt: Just a touch gives each layer complexity and brings out the best in the chocolate.
Eggs: One for the cake and one for the cheesecake—eggs add structure and a rich, silky texture.
Milk: A half cup makes the cupcakes extra moist—whole milk gives the richest result.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the cupcakes tender and soft even after chilling.
Hot water: Helps melt and bloom the cocoa, intensifying the cupcake’s chocolate flavor.
Vanilla extract: That fragrant hint rounds out all the chocolatey, creamy notes.
Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese is the secret to the smooth, tangy pocket inside every cupcake.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melt into a dreamy ganache for the ultimate chocolate finish.
Heavy cream: Blended with chocolate chips for a silky ganache you’ll want to lick off the spoon.
Chocolate chunks or sprinkles: For that final flourish—use whatever chocolatey garnish makes you smile.

How to Make Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Preheat

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. This step will save you from cupcake-sticking drama later on. While the oven comes to temperature, go ahead and set out all your ingredients, especially the cream cheese—it blends best at room temperature!

Step 2: Mix the Chocolate Cupcake Batter

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures everything is evenly distributed, meaning every cupcake will bake up just right. Add in the egg, milk, oil, and vanilla, and mix until smooth. Now, slowly pour in the hot water, which transforms the batter into a thin, velvety base—don’t worry, it will bake up perfectly moist!

Step 3: Make the Cheesecake Filling

In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy, then add sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Keep beating until the mixture is creamy with no lumps in sight. This filling is what gives your Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes Recipe that jaw-dropping center.

Step 4: Assemble the Cupcakes

Spoon chocolate cupcake batter into each liner, filling them about halfway. Drop a rounded tablespoon of cheesecake filling in the center of each, then add a bit more chocolate batter over the top—just enough to mostly cover the cheesecake, without overfilling. The magic happens in the layering!

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 20 to 22 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the cupcakes are set and a toothpick inserted near the edge comes out clean. Let them cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely. Patience is tough here, but it’s worth it!

Step 6: Make and Top with Ganache

While the cupcakes cool, heat the heavy cream until it starts to simmer but isn’t boiling. Pour it over your semi-sweet chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl and let it sit for a minute to melt the chocolate. Stir until fully smooth and glossy, then let the ganache cool until it’s thick enough to spread. Swirl it generously over each cooled cupcake.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Finish off your stunning cupcakes with a sprinkle of chocolate chunks, curls, or colorful sprinkles. Let the ganache set slightly before biting in—or chill for an even firmer top. These beauties are now ready to steal the show at any gathering or midnight snack session!

How to Serve Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes Recipe

Garnishes

The finishing touch is where you can really play! Scatter chocolate chunks, rainbow sprinkles, or even a dusting of cocoa powder right on top of the shiny ganache. If you’re feeling fancy, use a potato peeler to shave chocolate curls over each cupcake—simple but totally eye-catching. With the Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes Recipe, these little extras make each one irresistible.

Side Dishes

These cupcakes are rich, so pairing them with light and fresh sides works beautifully. Serve with a bowl of mixed berries, a scoop of tangy frozen yogurt, or even just a tall glass of cold milk. For a truly memorable dessert platter, arrange the cupcakes alongside fruit kebabs or delicate vanilla meringues.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, arrange the cupcakes in concentric circles on a stand, or nestle them into colorful mini cupcake liners for extra flair. You could also “cake-ify” the Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes Recipe by stacking them in a pyramid and dusting with powdered sugar. For a dinner party, place each cupcake on a plate with a swirl of berry coulis or a drizzle of caramel sauce—your guests will think you raided a bakery!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your cupcakes will stay fresh and moist for up to three days if kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cheesecake center means they’re happiest chilled, and you won’t lose any flavor—if anything, the flavors meld and deepen by the next day.

Freezing

To freeze, allow your Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes Recipe to cool fully, and then wrap each cupcake individually in plastic wrap. Place in a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to two months. To serve, just thaw the cupcakes overnight in the fridge so the ganache stays silky and the cheesecake filling keeps its dreamy texture.

Reheating

If you like your cupcakes a bit warm (especially that gooey ganache top), let the cupcake come to room temperature first, then microwave for just 8-10 seconds. Too long, and you’ll melt the cheesecake—it’s a quick zap that adds back the fresh-baked vibe without losing the luscious ganache gloss.

FAQs

Can I use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips for the ganache?

Absolutely! Dark chocolate will make the ganache more intensely chocolatey and slightly less sweet, which is perfect if you adore rich flavors. Just be sure to taste and adjust to your preference, as some dark chocolates can be quite bold.

Can I make the Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes Recipe gluten-free?

Yes, a good-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour will work beautifully in place of regular flour. Double check that your cocoa and other ingredients are certified gluten-free, and you’re all set for a gluten-free treat!

Do the cupcakes need to be refrigerated, or can they be stored at room temperature?

Because of the cheesecake filling, these cupcakes do need refrigeration for food safety. They’ll stay delicious and moist when chilled, so just bring them out about 10 minutes before serving for the best flavor.

Is it possible to make mini versions of the Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes Recipe?

Mini cupcakes are a fantastic idea! Just use a mini muffin tin and reduce the baking time to 12-15 minutes. They make adorable, bite-sized party treats that disappear fast!

Can I swirl the cheesecake filling instead of layering for a marbled effect?

Definitely! After spooning both batters into the liners, use a toothpick or skewer to gently swirl them together. This gives each cupcake a beautiful marbled look, combining the chocolate and cheesecake flavors in every bite.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a treat that’s pure fun and total comfort all in one, give the Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes Recipe a spot in your baking routine. These cupcakes are impossible to resist—from the first look to the very last crumb. Don’t be surprised when friends ask for the recipe and family members beg for seconds. Ready to bake up some smiles?