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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes

cake· dessert· Holiday Favorites· Uncategorized· Valentine's Day
March 5, 2024

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes – Rich chocolate cupcakes are filled with homemade chocolate pudding and topped with fudge icing and cake crumbs.

brooklyn blackout cupcakes on a serving tray

I love a great chocolate cake. I have so many different varieties of chocolate cake on this blog, including a molten chocolate cake, a chocolate mousse cake, and even this fun chocolate raspberry cake roll.

A new version of chocolate cake popped onto my radar via Instagram – well, it was a new version to me but it’s been around for quite a long time. It was a recipe for Brooklyn Blackout Cake. This cake gets its name form a Brooklyn bakery that named it after mandatory blackouts needed to protect the Brooklyn Navy Yard during WWII. While the bakery has since closed, the cake has endured and is known for being the richest chocolate cake you can find.

A Brooklyn Blackout Cake is a cake comprised of chocolate cake filled with chocolate pudding, topped with chocolate frosting, and sprinkled with chocolate cake crumbs. The cake is a bit of a beast to assemble so I decided to make a version that’s a little less high-maintenance. My version shrinks the cake into little cupcakes, which makes them easier to assemble and also easier to eat!

close up on a brooklyn blackout cupcake
overhead shot of brooklyn blackout cupcakes on a tray
brooklyn blackout cupcakes

Tips & Tricks:

  1. Make the pudding from scratch. Many times, I am okay with you using a store-bought shortcut in these multi-step recipes. But I must insist you make this chocolate pudding from scratch. It is simply marvelous! So creamy with the right balance of chocolate so it’s not too rich. I have never had a pudding so wonderful. I promise it’s worth the effort!!
  2. Do not overcook the pudding. Right when the pudding begins to thicken and steam, it’s time to turn off the heat. If you keep it cooking, the eggs will curdle, making your pudding all lumpy.
  3. Cool completely. Do not attempt to assemble the cupcakes until the cake has cooled completely. If you try to fill the cupcakes while warm, they could fall apart. Additionally, the pudding should be chilled before adding to the cupcakes to ensure it’s thickened up.
  4. Whip the butter. To have a creamy, consistent frosting, the butter needs to be whipped before adding the sugar and cocoa powder
brooklyn blackout cupcakes
Print Recipe

Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes

Prep Time1 hour hr
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Cooling time:1 hour hr
Servings: 24 cupcakes

Ingredients

For the cupcakes:
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • ½ cup canola oil
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot brewed coffee
For the chocolate pudding:
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 5 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 1¾ cups whole milk
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • ⅔ cup dark brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 4 ounces milk chocolate
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the topping:
  • 1 stick salted butter softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup unsweetened dark chocolate cocoa powder
  • ⅓ cup boiling water
  • leftover cake pieces crumbled

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 24 cupcake molds with paper liners. Set aside.
  • In a large stand mixer bowl, add sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt on low until completely combined. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together eggs, egg yolk, sour cream, milk, and vanilla until completely combined.
  • With the mixer on low, slowly pour in canola oil into dry ingredients. Mix until combined but the dry ingredients will have large crumbs still. Add the rest of the wet ingredients and mix just until all lumps are removed and the batter is smooth. With the mixer still on low, pour in the hot brewed coffee. Mix until completely combined.
  • Using a cookie scoop, scoop batter into each prepared cupcake liner until 2/3 full. Place filled cupcake pans into prepared oven and bake until a tooth pick comes out clean when inserted in the center, about 15 mins. Remove from oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from the pans and let cool on a rack completely before filling.
  • While the cupcakes cool, make the filling. Add cocoa powder and cornstarch to a large sauce pan and whisk together to remove lumps. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream together until combined. Add the milk, brown sugar, egg yolks, and salt and whisk until combined. Place over medium heat to warm up the mixture. Continue to whisk until the mixture starts to steam and thicken. Remove from heat and add the milk chocolate a little at a time until melted through. Finish with the vanilla extract.
  • Strain the pudding through a sieve to remove lumps. Cover with plastic wrap, making sure to touch the plastic to the pudding to prevent a film from developing. Refrigerate until cold, about 3 hours.
  • Cut a 1-inch circle in the center of each cooled cupcake and remove some of the filling underneath. Save the filling for later. Place 1 teaspoon of chocolate pudding in the center of each cupcake. Replace the cake on top of the pudding centers. You won't be able to replace the entire piece but just make sure the top is covered so you don't see too much of the pudding.
  • Make the fudge frosting by first whipping the butter in a stand mixer using a beater attachment. Whip for 1 minute. Add powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Mix on low until combined and then add the boiling water to make the texture smooth. Increase to medium high and whip for 3 minutes.
  • Transfer frosting to a pipping bag with a star tip. Squeeze a circle of frosting over the center of each cupcake. Sprinkle cupcake tops with any remaining pieces of cake that you saved from earlier.
  • Serve cupcakes immediately or place in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

Cake recipe adapted from Baker by Nature

Pin for later:

pin of brooklyn blackout cupcakes

More recipes you’ll love:

Black Forest Cupcakes
black forest cupcake with the cupcake liner removed and crumbs surrounding it
Nutella Crunch Cupcakes
Nutella Crunch Cupcakes with a gold wrapper and a few more cupcakes without the frosting on them
Dark Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes
picture of dark chocolate caramel cupcakes with caramel dripping down

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28 Comments

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Spiced Carrots with Whipped Feta »

Comments

  1. Geometry Dash says

    September 29, 2025 at 4:18 am

    I can’t wait to make these Brooklyn black-out cupcakes. My mom is from Bushwick.

    Reply
  2. Linda - Video Editor says

    September 1, 2025 at 9:09 pm

    Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes are so rich and indulgent — the perfect treat for true chocolate lovers.

    Reply
  3. kylen12 says

    July 22, 2025 at 1:42 pm

    it was super easy to make them!

    Reply
  4. Baldi’s Basics Plus says

    July 4, 2025 at 3:30 am

    Do not attempt to assemble the cupcakes until the cake has cooled completely.

    Reply
    • red-stickman-vs-craftmans says

      August 25, 2025 at 10:39 pm

      Appreciate the effort you put into polishing this

      Reply
  5. Geometry Dash says

    June 12, 2025 at 2:57 am

    These Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes are intense! Think rich chocolate, a pudding center, and fudge frosting. It’s a chocolate lover’s dream. Baking these requires precision, much like navigating tricky levels in Geometry Dash. The homemade pudding is a must, no shortcuts there! Cool everything completely before assembling; patience is key for a smooth, decadent treat.

    Reply
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  8. escape road says

    May 13, 2025 at 5:43 am

    I can’t wait to make these Brooklyn black-out cupcakes. I recall getting some of these cupcakes from my mother’s neighborhood shop in Bushwick.

    Reply
  9. Rello says

    May 7, 2025 at 5:30 am

    I must say, this recipe is flawless. Each step is meticulously detailed and incredibly easy to follow.

    Reply
  10. basketballlegends says

    April 5, 2025 at 7:48 am

    It really is a real feast for chocolate lovers! Homemade pudding filling combined with dense chocolate cake and fudge cream turned out to be an incredibly delicious cupcake, the tricks in the recipe were very useful and explanatory, especially for pudding making, it’s worth trying!

    Reply
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  12. Levish90 says

    December 8, 2024 at 1:31 pm

    These Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes are a true chocolate lover’s dream, rich and indulgent with layers of homemade pudding and fudge icing. If you’re enjoying a sweet treat like this, it would pair perfectly with something light and fun, like a visit to the cinema. In Singapore, before the show starts, you could grab a snack from the Golden Village popcorn menu, offering a variety of savory and sweet options to suit any taste. Whether it’s classic butter popcorn or something more adventurous, the Golden Village popcorn menu makes the cinema experience even sweeter, much like these irresistible cupcakes! For more details about the restaurant, visit https://imenusg.com/golden-village-popcorn-menu/

    Reply
  13. Nancy says

    November 5, 2024 at 5:48 pm

    I love these Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes and these are always my favorite. I saw the recipe is easy, and I can try it. While using the external house washing I saw many people are having the best benefits of it.

    Reply
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    October 28, 2024 at 8:45 am

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  15. quordle says

    September 12, 2024 at 9:34 pm

    I just got here a little while ago, and it’s great. I was drawn in by the piece of information you have here. Thanks a lot for making such a great blog page

    Reply
  16. wordle unlimited says

    July 19, 2024 at 5:27 am

    This recipe is easy to understand and follow

    Reply
  17. io games says

    June 21, 2024 at 5:40 am

    I need this for my birthday. It looks so tasty and adorable. Definitely worth a try.

    Reply
  18. Jamie says

    March 17, 2024 at 7:18 pm

    So delicious! This was my first time making Brooklyn blackout cupcakes and won’t be my last. The homemade pudding was so delicious!

    Reply
  19. Lauren says

    March 17, 2024 at 3:55 pm

    These blackout cupcakes were so decadent. They were a big hit at a birthday party we had this weekend!

    Reply
  20. Isa says

    March 17, 2024 at 1:23 pm

    These cupcakes turned out incredible. These are going to be my new go-to chocolate cupcakes…it’s worth ditching the store bought box!

    Reply
  21. Kristina says

    March 17, 2024 at 1:22 pm

    A triple dose of chocolate?! These cupcakes sound like pure perfection for my chocolate-loving self. I plan to make them for Easter, with a little nest of chocolate eggs on top!

    Reply
  22. sil says

    March 16, 2024 at 8:05 pm

    These cupcakes look amazing, my family loves chocolate and always welcome new recipes. I have a quick question. Can I reduce the amount of sugar or substitute with another sweetener?

    Reply
  23. Leslie says

    March 15, 2024 at 8:55 am

    Now this is how you make a chocolate cupcake!! I LOVE the addition of chocolate pudding. It really takes this recipe to the next level!

    Reply
  24. Kathryn says

    March 14, 2024 at 7:33 pm

    These cupcakes were SO good! Loved the pudding and cake crumbs, these will easily be made again and I can’t wait!

    Reply
  25. Elaine says

    March 13, 2024 at 11:31 am

    Tried making those Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes yesterday and it turned out awesome! Definitely worth a try! 🙂

    Reply
  26. Marta says

    March 12, 2024 at 7:59 am

    I’m so excited to try this Brooklyn black-out cupcake recipe. My mother is from Bushwick, and I remember going to her local bakery to get a few of these cupcakes.

    Reply
  27. Gloria says

    March 11, 2024 at 2:42 pm

    Oh my, I think I need to get someone to make these for my birthday. I know they would be a hit for sure. Love the presentation too.

    Reply

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Hi, my name is Sharon. I’m an accountant by day, risk-taking baker and food enthusiast by night. Come join me as I share my favorite recipes and test out new ones along the way!

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