Looking for chocolate cupcake ideas?  Try these Cocoa Pebbles cupcakes!  They are a fun way to doctor up a cake mix, or you can use your favorite cake recipe to make them.  I added Cocoa Pebbles cereal to the cake batter to make the cupcakes, and I topped them with crushed Cocoa Pebbles.

Cocoa Pebbles Cupcakes Recipe

My daughter loves to bake, and she loves trying new recipes.  She wanted unique chocolate cupcakes, so she made Cocoa Pebbles cupcakes.  

These are inspired by the Duncan Hines EPIC Cocoa Pebbles cake kit and similar to the Fruity Pebbles cupcakes that I shared last week.  I'm more of a Cocoa Pebbles person than Fruity Pebbles, and I loved these for fun chocolate cupcake ideas.  

You can buy the kit to make Duncan Hines Cocoa Pebbles cupcakes, but it's not cheap.  You can easily make these unique chocolate cupcakes recipes with a regular box of chocolate cake mix and some cereal.

For more fun recipes, check out these posts:

• Fruity Pebbles Cupcakes Recipe
• Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cupcakes
• Rainbow Unicorn Cupcakes
• Mermaid Tail Cupcakes
• Fruity Pebbles Banana Bread
• TikTok Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
• Pumpkin Peanut Butter Cupcakes
• Booty Dip Recipe

What is the Best Chocolate Cake Mix?

I admit that I will buy the chocolate cake mix from Aldi or what I have coupons for at the grocery store.  However, for a party or special event, I will get a better mix.

The best chocolate cake mix, in my opinion, is Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Premium Cake Mix.  For a budget box, I like Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist Devil's Food cake.

How Do You Make Boxed Cupcakes Better?

I started with a cake mix for these unique chocolate cupcakes.  You can also use your favorite chocolate cake mix.  I think a white or yellow cake would also be good!

Boxed cake mixes are a great value, but you can also make them better.  I added chocolate pudding, but here are a few more ideas:

• Add an extra egg for a moist cake or cupcakes.
• Replace the water with milk.
• Add Greek yogurt to the cake mix for a lighter cake.
• Use melted butter in place of oil for a richer cupcake.
• Add a box of pudding for more flavor and for a moist cake.

You can get more boxed cake mix hacks to make your cupcakes taste like bakery cupcakes.

What Does Adding Pudding to Cake Mix Do?

One of the easiest ways to doctor up a boxed cake mix is by adding a pack of pudding.  You don't make the pudding; just add the powder.

Pudding intensifies the flavor of the cupcakes and makes the cake or cupcakes dense and moist.

Should You Use Two Cupcake Liners?

You don't have to use two cupcake liners when you make Duncan Hines Cocoa Pebbles cupcakes, but you might want to if you're serving them for a party.

The cupcake can transfer oil to the cupcake liner, so it won't be pretty.  By using two, the inner wrapper will get the mess from the cupcake and leave the outer liner better looking.

What is the Easiest Way to Fill Cupcakes?

I like to use a cupcake scoop or a #20 ice cream scoop to fill my cupcakes so I can get even cupcakes.  Not only does this help them look pretty, but they bake evenly.

A #20 ice cream scoop holds 3 tablespoons of batter (1.52 ounces).

How High Do You Fill Cupcakes?

You should fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full to give the unique chocolate cupcakes room to rise.  These Cocoa Pebbles cupcakes Duncan Hines will make 24 cupcakes.

I like to use a 24 cupcake pan rather than two 12 cupcake pans.  My oven cooks better when the food is on the same shelf.

How to Make Cocoa Pebbles Mini Cupcakes or Cake

You can use this recipe to make a cake or mini cupcakes.  To make it as a cake, follow the time and temperature directions on the back of the box of cake mix that you use.

For mini cupcakes, bake at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes.  Check on them at 9 minutes with the toothpick test.  If they aren't done, bake for a few more minutes.

Duncan Hines Cocoa Pebbles Cupcakes Ingredients

You will need the following for chocolate cupcake ideas

For the Cupcakes:

• 1 chocolate cake mix
• 1 cup Cocoa Pebbles cereal
• 1 3.5 ounce box of chocolate pudding mix
• ¾ cup water
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 large egg whites
• Cupcake liners

For the Frosting:

• 1 ½ cups salted butter, softened 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (learn how to make vanilla extra from beans or Instant Pot vanilla extract)
• 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup of cocoa powder
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup crushed Cocoa Pebbles Cereal
• 1 large piping bag, 1 large round frosting tip

How to Make Cocoa Pebbles Cupcakes

Step #1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray a muffin pan or line with cupcake liners.

Step #2

Combine the cake mix and pudding mix in a large bowl.  Add the water, sour cream, and eggs.  Use a hand mixer to mix on medium until combined.  Fold in 3/4 cup Cocoa Pebbles.  

Step #3

Fill the muffin tins 2/3 full with batter.  Sprinkle some Cocoa Pebbles cereal on top.  Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out cleal.  Let cool completely before frosting.

Step #4

In a large bowl or stand mixer bowl, cream the butter until light and fluffy.  Mix in vanilla extract.

Step #5

Slow mix in the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time while adding a tablespoon of the cream and cocoa powder between each cup of sugar.  Mix for 1 minute or until creamy.

Step #6

Fill your piping bag with the frosting.  Frost the cupcakes as desired.  Add crushed Cocoa Pebbles on top. 

I hope you like these Duncan Hines Cocoa Pebbles cupcakes!

Like this post?  Pin it!