Chocolate Mayonnaise Cupcakes

This Chocolate Mayonnaise Cupcakes recipe is decadent, rich, and made with a surprising ingredient – mayonnaise! An old-fashioned Southern recipe that is moist and fluffy in texture every time! Enjoy on it’s own, slathered with frosting, or made into a cake!

If you love chocolate cupcakes, this recipe is for you! Made using no oil, no eggs, and only simple ingredients, these mayonnaise chocolate cupcakes are oven ready in no time with no special equipment or mixer needed! The perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth or make for a party! Also check out my Texas Sheet Cake for another old fashioned recipe you’ll love!

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

If you’ve never tried this chocolate cake recipe (or cupcakes), you may be thinking “mayo in cake, yuck”. However, let me assure you, you do NOT taste the mayonnaise whatsoever! I give you my word! The only thing you will taste is a perfectly moist chocolate cake!

This cake recipe originated back in 1927, however, it became more popular during World War 2/ Great Depression when eggs, butter, and other ingredients were rationed. Since this cake doesn’t use any of those, it became a go to dessert!

Since Mayonnaise has eggs and oil in it, the mayonnaise is the key ingredient to success in this cake! Not only are these cupcakes packed with chocolate, but they are super moist and never dry! The ultimate sweet treat for any occasion!

Why You’ll Love this Chocolate Mayonnaise Cupcake Recipe

• Fluffy and Moist– I know I mentioned it already above, but for real, these cupcakes are a must try. If you try any cake or cupcake recipe, let it be this one!
• Customizable– this recipe is a fantastic foundation, however, you can have fun with making it your own by using your favorite frosting, adding in crushed cookies, candies, chocolate chips, and more. See options below.
• Quick and Easy– using only a few simple panty staples and minimal prep time, these cupcakes are perfect for any experience level baker!
• Budget Friendly– no need to use any eggs or butter in this recipe. These cupcakes are inexpensive to make and can fit any budget.

Ingredients Needed to make the BEST Chocolate Mayonnaise Cupcakes

Below is a brief overview of each ingredient needed. To see printable recipe card with exact amounts, scroll to the bottom of this post.

• Mayonnaise– this is the star ingredient that brings all the richness and moisture. Opt for a full fat version for the best flavor. This is the time to show if you’re a Duke’s fan or Hellmann’s fan!
• Sugar– white granulated sugar adds the perfect amount of sweetness throughout.
• Water– you’ll need hot, boiling water for this recipe.
• Baking Soda– this gives the cake its rise. Ensure freshness by changing it out every 6 months.
• Salt– once combined with the baking soda, it activates for the rise and texture you’ll taste in every bite.
• Cocoa Powder– unsweetened cocoa powder brings the chocolate flavor throughout.
• Flour– all purpose flour is best.
• Vanilla Extract– opt for pure vanilla extract versus imitation for full flavor.

How to make Chocolate Mayonnaise Cupcakes from Scratch

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place cupcake liners into your muffin tin or grease thoroughly.
2. Combine the mayonnaise, sugar, and hot water in a small bowl.
3. In a medium bowl, sift together the salt, cocoa powder, flour and baking soda.
4. Add the mayonnaise mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until combined. Add in vanilla extract.
5. Pour batter into greased muffin cups, or a greased cake pan (if making a cake).
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean (increase time to 35-40 minutes for a cake).
7. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before frosting. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

• Avoid using Dutch processed cocoa powder as it results in flat cupcakes versus the fluffy, moist ones you’ll get from classic unsweetened cocoa powder.
• Stir ingredients until just combined. You don’t want to over-mix the batter.
• Use the toothpick trick to check if the cupcakes are ready to be removed. Insert a toothpick in the center of the cupcake. If it comes out clean, you can remove the tray. If it comes out with batter on it, add a few minutes to the baking time and check again.
• Allow cupcakes to fully cool on a wire rack before frosting them otherwise the frosting will melt right off.

Variations and Customization’s

If you want to really enhance this cake to make it your own, here are some family favorites:

• Peanut Butter: fill the muffin liners halfway with cake batter, add a dollop of creamy peanut butter, and continue filling the rest of the way with cake batter. This creates an ooey gooey peanut butter center.
• Oreo’s: place one Oreo in the middle of the cake batter and proceed as directed below.
• Frosting: feel free to use any frosting desired. From homemade to store bought, anything goes! Buttercream is my favorite!
• Peep Bars: use this chocolate cake recipe instead of a boxed cake mix and proceed as directed in recipe.
• Confectioners Sugar– sprinkle some on top of the cooled cupcakes in place of frosting.

How to make Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

This recipe can be used either way! Depending on what you prefer, grease a 9×13 baking pan or muffin pan. If making a chocolate mayonnaise cake, you will want to increase the baking time to about 35-40 minutes. Use toothpick trick to check when done.

Storing Old Fashioned Chocolate Mayonnaise Cupcakes

• Place cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature up to 4 days. If you prefer to place in the refrigerator, they will last about 5-6 days.
• To freeze, place in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months. Allow to thaw before serving!

More Cake Recipes to try

• Chocolate Oatmeal Cake– moist, rich, and full of flavor, this old fashioned dessert is perfect for any occasion and a great way to satisfy any sweet tooth craving!
• Hot Fudge Pudding Cake– an easy, show stopping dessert that is made with simple ingredients! Decadent chocolate cake layered with the most delicious homemade fudgy chocolate sauce, all baked together in one pan! The rich chocolate fudge sauce forms underneath a layer of chocolate cake while baking, all by itself!
• Death by Chocolate Dump Cake– a decadent dessert that combines rich chocolate flavor with the ease and convenience of a "dump" cake recipe. Using only 5 ingredients, this cake is quick to prepare and a sweet tooth favorite for the serious chocolate lover!
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake– moist chocolate cake with a gooey peanut butter cheesecake swirl, making it the ultimate dessert for chocolate peanut butter lovers.
• Old-Fashioned Chocolate Eclair Cake– layers of honey graham crackers, creamy vanilla Instant pudding, fluffy whipped topping, and luscious canned chocolate frosting. Perfect for potlucks, BBQ’s, gatherings, and any occasion worth savoring!