Chocolate Mayonnaise Cupcakes are super moist and full of chocolate taste! This one bowl recipe is made with eight simple ingredients and can be whipped up in no time and baked in just 15 minutes. No eggs added, just mayonnaise and you'd never know it was in there. This is probably the easiest homemade cake recipe you'll ever make. It takes just one bowl and a handful of pantry ingredients.
My Grandma Grace was always well known for her Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake or cupcakes,. This recipe came from her. My mom makes this anytime the family is together. You just can't go wrong with these great tasting chocolate cupcakes.
Made with pantry ingredients
One of the reasons this recipe is so great is you use ingredients you already have in your pantry. You use sugar, flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, mayonnaise, water and vanilla. That's it! There are not any eggs, oil, milk or butter.
Another reason this is a great recipe is everything just goes into one bowl and you stir with a spoon. No special equipment needed.
What type of frosting is best for these cupcakes?
These cupcakes are perfect topped with a chocolate buttercream you could also use a regular vanilla buttercream too. And sometimes I like to eat them just plain.
My mom always makes this using Miracle Whip Dressing instead of mayo. Either works fine. It really comes down to what's in the fridge and what's your personal preference. Just don't use a nonfat or low fat mayonnaise.
Can I make this into a cake instead of cupcakes?
Yes, this recipe can also be baked into a Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake. Increase the cooking time to 25-30 minutes, depending on the size of your cake pan. This makes a soft, moist cake and it isn't best for stacking into layers. When I make this into a cake I usually bake in a glass 9 x 13" rectangular baking dish. I leave the cake in the pan after baking and once fully cooled, I add a chocolate frosting. It's okay to serve right in the pan. It makes a casual and rustic presentation.
Other favorite cupcake recipes:
- Lemon Cupcakes
- Confetti Cupcakes
- Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
- Applesauce Cake
- Peanut Butter Cupcakes- from Sally's Baking Addiction
Don't forget to PIN for later! 
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
If you loved this recipe you’ll LOVE all the other recipes in this category. Check out all my desserts here!
Chocolate Mayonnaise Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Mix sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a mixing bowl.
- Add mayonnaise, water and vanilla.
- Mix with a spoon until all ingredients are combined
- Fill paper lined cupcake holders ⅔ of the way full.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
- Cool on a baking rack. Frost with your favorite frosting.
Notes
Can I make this into a cake instead of cupcakes?
Yes, this recipe can also be baked into a Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake. Increase the cooking time to 25-30 minutes, depending on the size of your cake pan.Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted in January of 2105.
Sara says
You say no eggs or oil in the recipe. Eggs and oil is what makes mayonnaise.
Kathy says
That is correct. What I meant is you didn't need to add eggs or oil, just the mayo.
Thank you,
Kathy 🙂
Fred says
Great tasting cupcakes.
Kathy says
They are a classic that have been in my family for 3 generations!
Theresa says
These are absolutely the best. I sifted the con. sugar and I'm not sure I should have. Frosting was a tad sweet for me but still the best. My grandmother use to make these when I was young and didn't leave a recipe. This is the BEST! One other problem, I only got 14 cupcakes out of the batter? I thought maybe I was missing something. Should I have used a blender? I mixed everything with a spoon.
Kathy says
Hi Theresa,
This recipe was passed down by my grandmother too! It's a regular in our house. I also just mix everything by hand. I might be making my cupcakes a bit smaller which would make the batter stretch a bit further. I don't like too big of a dome on the cupcakes.
Kathy