I made these cupcakes this past Sunday with my kids. We baked and photographed our creations. We giggled as sprinkles were strewn across the counter and the floor. The dogs happily licked up the crumbs.
You could surpise your daddy (or mommy, or neighbor even?)and make him smile. Bake him a batch of chocolate cupcakes this weekend. Call your best friend to come over and catch up with a cup of coffee and a cupcake. Or maybe some cinnamon bread. 
One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes
yields: 18-24
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup warm water
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons safflower oil (or canola oil)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners; set aside. Sift together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Add eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla, and mix until smooth, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl to assure batter is well mixed.
Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full (I use a one scoop ice-cream scooper). Bake until tops spring back when touched, about 20 minutes, rotating pan once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.
recipe from: Martha Stewart
Chocolate Frosting
2 1/4 c. confectioner’s sugar
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
Pinch salt
6 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/2 sticks butter, at room temperature
9 oz. bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
3/4 c. sour cream
Sift sugar, cocoa, and salt into a bowl.
Beat cream cheese and butter in separate bowl on medium-high speed until smooth. Reduce speed and add sugar/cocoa/salt mixture slowly. Add melted chocolate slowly and beat until combined. Add sour cream and beat until smooth. Add your sprinkles. Take a bite. Smile and enjoy!
Thank you for passing by to see what’s baking in the Duchess’ kitchen! I appreciate your comments and your friendship. As always, thank you for showing me your support.
My sweet little girl has started to work on her blog:) She made these cupcakes with me this weekend and just wrote her post. I’m so proud of her! Here is the link: http://tiny.cc/c2yzs
Cake Duchess is where you can follow the baking adventures of me! Hi! I'm Lora, a mom of two cuties in South Florida. I got into all this baking mess because of them. 
{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
What a sweet post, Lora! Cupcakes are most definitely magical… especially ones that are as simple and delicious as these!
These would certainly put a smile on my face. Stay strong!
Cupcakes are a great pick me up for us as well. One bowl makes it even sweeter! I hope things start looking up for you. Take care.
such a lovely post.
i love cupcakes too and of course chocolate. but when it comes to choose between chocolate cupcakes and cinnamon bread, it’s a tough choice
have a wonderful evening Lola
Well you’re definitely not a crappy mommy. I hope things pick up for you health wise soon. *hugs*
These cupcakes look so delicious and would certainly satisfy my chocolatey sweet tooth with no problem. Now if only I could get the motivation to bake. With it being only one bowl though, well, that’s not a problem. Hmm. I just might consider baking these over the weekend.
Beautiful post on the true essence of motherhood. I’m glad these cupcakes could offer you a moment of joy to share with your kids.
Cute! I love the classic simplicity of both the recipes and the way you decorated them. They sound great!
Wow! I love these cupcakes, reading the ingredients makes me drooling too! Anything with creamcheese is my favourite:D
what are you doing ? Making me drool for these at this hour !!! I want to eat them …..
Are you preparing yourself for the Chocolate Day???
) they look yummilicious…
Wow….I wish I have one. It will take me to chocolate heaven
Yes, I think cooking and baking is very therapeutic. See, I am happy now cos I had just baked some chocolate muffins 
My hubby took almost all to the office to share with his colleagues. I’m sure there are going to be lots of smiles there. I should frost them with chocolate, too, but I did not have time. I’m sure your children enjoy baking with you and having fun with all the sprinkles.
This cupcakes look delicious.
These would make my hubby smile, too! I think you’d be a crappy mom only if you never doubted yourself…we’ve all had those moments! But I know your children will forget that you snapped at them once or twice, and just cherish the memories of baking such deliciousness with you! You are one great mom! xoxo
Yum! And only one bowl?! Love it!
Those cupcakes look fantastic. Hope everything is ok!
not fair to make a grown woman lick a computer screen shame on you! Fabulous photo life like for sure!
How pretty! I would so get frosting all over my face while eating this and totally NOT care. :-p Sprinkles! Yay! LOL
Perfect. Anything I can make in one bowl is a winner!
These look delicious and love how they only require 1 bowl!!
Your story made my eyes well up because I can understand the feelings of not being an up to par parent. Even though my son is only 2 1/2 sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up and wondering what I’m doing wrong as a parent. I snap at him and his daddy some days and then I have to take a timeout. Being in the kitchen is my therapy as well. You are such a good mama and a great woman! You are an inspiration to me. Forget about the cupcakes (they do look marvelous) but you and your blog make me more giddy! Hope you have a much better day and I’m sending you an air hug right now!
Lora! I have so missed your entries and delicious baked goods! Hope you have been doing well. These cupcakes are so adorable – it’s amazing what a few sprinkles can do, yes?
I hope you are having a beautiful week!
I love making cupcakes like this! One of my favorites is to make chocolate-chocolate with the multi-colored sprinkles on top. These are really pretty and I am sure they are perfectly delicious!
We all go through those moments so you are not alone. You are definitely not a crabby mum. I am glad baking offer you joy and peace. You bake beautifully as always.
Please don’t be too hard on yourself. I think a good parent always questions if they are a good parent or not. We’re only human and I think it’s important that your kids see all sides of you so they know it’s okay to be imperfect. Great post and those cupcakes are seriously AMAZING!! I’m your newest follower
this is such a sweet post, and im sure these cupcakes do have magical powers!
gorgeous cupcakes! i love the sprinkles on top… truly magical!
cant wait to give these a try!
These cupcakes are lovely Lora.. I’m sorry to hear of your health issues, but I hope they’re getting better! I’m sure these cupcakes helped a bit
I think chocoalte cupcakes are my favorite thing to eat. Especially when they involve cute sprinkles
Makes me feel like a kid again!
Cupcakes ARE magical! Remember all those classroom parties when we were kids? Or bake sales where it was a tough decision choosing what cupcakes to buy? Or making cupcakes for your boyfriend? Ah … cupcakes! Yours look spectacular! Channel the positive energy that cupcakes exude … hope the health issues subside!
Ah sweetie, I am so sorry you aren’t feeling well but please know you are on my mind and I am sending you happy thoughts. We all have those phases where we snap at our kids and lose the pleasure out of life’s little things but if baking makes you happy, then I am happy to be your taste-tester if needed
These ARE the cupcakes of my childhood. My mom didn’t do fancy, she did traditional things with simple sprinkles like this and we LOVED it. At the end of the day, we could all use one of these gorgeous cupcakes.
Oh wow. Look at those photos! They are a-maz-ing. The pink background just makes those babies pop and I want them!! And any time with daddy helps everything.
I’m so sorry about that phone call and hope with fingers crossed that it’s nothing serious.
Chocolate cream cheese frosting rocks my world. Serious. And one bowl? OMG killer recipe!
Your cupcakes look so fun and delicious!I hope your worries are put to rest soon, and that all is well! Hang in there, Lora!
The cupcakes look wonderful and I bet daddy was quite happy
All parents have those moments when stresses are just too much…don’t worry too much,it’s the cupcake moments they will remember most
I heart cupcakes…and chocolate cupcakes…even bettah ; )
Lots of baking therappy going around these days. Thanks for the quick and easy recipe and I’m sending you happy thoughts.
These are the cupcakes I remember from my childhood! I’m glad your baking therapy makes you feel better! Please know that we’re all sending good healing thoughts your way and wishing you a healthy and happy forever!
Baking soothes the soul………I hope you’re okay….
Perfection as always!
I know how you feel, I have to tell my kids every day for 30 minutes to go and sleep, and yes they always tell me why I am so mad all the time:( And in general I am very happy person!
Any cake that doesn’t have a creaming step is a friend o’ mine! And yours look so happy and friendly and come-hither. Yum.
I love chocolate cupcakes!!!
Those cupcakes are so pretty! Love the colourful sugar pearls on top of the frosting.
What is it about sprinkles? They’re like crack! (…so I’m told.) Whenever I see them, I’ve just got to gobble down whatever they are sitting on.
Lora…great post! of course you are not a crabby mom . Just that certain times in our life we face health issues . Don’t worry, think positive and I am sure your doc friend will not hide things from you. We are with you and I love those cupcakes..I am sure they make you feel good with those colorful sprinkles
Take care and tomorrow will be another great day for you 
Regards,
Elin
Great idea to cheer yourself up by baking. These would definitely cheer me up. They sound wonderful. I hope everything is okay for you. It is tough enough being a mom, never mind when you are worring about your health. Don’t beat yourself up. You are a very positive person and a wonderful mom; I can tell:)
you know you have the nicest comments on my blog. and i wanted to tell you “thank you”. i truly mean that. your comments are always so smile-worthy. just passing on the love….
Spending time with children in the kitchen is the best! And as a chocolate lover your cupcakes are perfect little taste bud palet pleasers!
I’m sorry that you’re having a tough time right now. You’re definitely right about baking, though. It’s very therapeutic with very tasty results. And sprinkles are always a great way to put a smile one your face!
Yum! I’m hungry just looking at these cupcakes!
Mmm cupcakes always make me smile too
I missed chocolate cake day (which was this past week) and this would be a great way to make up for it!
There is something about a simple cupcake that lifts the heart and spirit. I hope that you can glide through your bad patch.
Cheers.
These cupcakes do look magical and it sounds like you need a little magic these days. Thinking of you, Lora!
awwww…you are most def not a crappy mom. I feel that all the time. Stay positive…little do you know how much your positive happy face inspires me everytime I see it! (and that’s just on Twitter!!)
Your first photo just made me nuts, I’m not even a huge chocolate cake fan but who would not LOVE these!! And the fact that they are one bowl makes me even happier.
And I agree…being in the kitchen is my therapy as well. xo
These cupcakes look perfect!