90-Calorie Chocolate Cupcakes

I’m so excited to share these moist 90-calorie chocolate cupcakes with you! They’re rich, chocolaty, and completely satisfying—everything you want in a dessert without the guilt.

You can satisfy the most stubborn chocolate craving with these deliciously moist Chocolate Cupcakes. They are light and airy with just 90 calories and 13g carbohydrates each—a Weight Watchers’ dream dessert. Plus, I love cupcakes because—like cookies—they’re naturally portion-controlled into single servings and so easy to share with friends and family.

These moist chocolate cupcakes are light, fluffy, and decadent enough to feel like a real treat, but low enough in calories to enjoy anytime. Trust me, these cupcakes are a game-changer for anyone craving chocolate without derailing their goals!

How Many Calories and WW Points in these Chocolate Cupcakes?

According to my calculations, each cupcake has just 90 calories.

To see your WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, Click here!

90-Calorie Chocolate Cupcake Ingredients

• Unsweetened cocoa powder – Provides the rich, deep chocolate flavor that defines the cupcakes. It’s unsweetened to allow you full control over the sweetness level while keeping the calorie count low.
• Hot water – Hot water helps “bloom” the cocoa powder, intensifying its chocolate flavor and ensuring it blends smoothly with the other ingredients for a rich, moist crumb.
• Zero-calorie sweetener (1:1) – This recipe uses a zero-calorie sweetener that measures 1:1 like sugar to ensure proper sweetness and structure without adding extra calories. Using a sweetener with the same bulk as sugar is essential to maintaining the correct cupcake texture and moisture level. Popular options include sucralose, erythritol-based sweeteners or allulose blends, which dissolve well and bake similarly to sugar.
• Brown sugar – A touch of brown sugar adds depth of flavor with its slight molasses undertones, enhancing the chocolate and improving moisture retention.
• Low-fat milk – Low-fat milk adds creaminess and helps create a tender, moist texture in the cupcakes without adding excessive fat or calories. Non-dairy options will also work.
• Vanilla extract – Complements and enhances the chocolate flavor while adding subtle warmth to the cupcakes.
• Egg – provide structure and stability to the batter, helping the cupcakes rise and giving them their soft, fluffy texture.
• Light mayonnaise – A surprising but effective ingredient! The light mayo adds moisture and richness without adding too much fat, making these cupcakes incredibly moist and soft.
• All-purpose flour – This essential baking ingredient forms the foundation of the cupcakes, providing structure and balance to the wet ingredients for a light, tender crumb.
• Baking powder – Acts as a leavening agent, helping the cupcakes rise by creating air pockets in the batter, resulting in a fluffy texture.
• Baking soda – Working alongside the acidic elements (such as cocoa powder and brown sugar), baking soda also contributes to the cupcakes’ rise and helps achieve the perfect, light texture.

How to Make 90-Calorie Chocolate Cupcakes, Step-by-Step

Step 1: Gather and prepare all ingredients.

Step 2: Preheat oven to 325F degrees. Line a standard muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners and spray with non-stick baking spray.

Step 3: Add cocoa powder to a large mixing bowl (affiliate link). Pour in hot water and whisk until smooth.

Step 4: Add no-calorie sweetener and whisk until smooth. Add brown sugar, milk, vanilla, egg and mayonnaise and whisk until smooth.

Step 5: Slowly sift flour, baking soda and baking powder into wet mixture and whisk until thoroughly combined.

Step 6: Divide batter evenly among 12 muffin cups, scooping about 1/4 cup batter into each one.

Step 7: Bake about 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of cupcake comes out clean.

Step 8: Remove and cool in pan for a minute or two before removing cupcakes to wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9: If desired, sprinkle cupcakes with powdered sugar before serving.

Step 10: Store any leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature.

Recipe Notes

Why add mayonnaise to these cupcakes?
Mayonnaise is essentially just eggs and oil and it works extremely well when mixed into chocolate batter. It adds richness, boosts the moisture level and keeps the fresh taste a little longer than if you didn’t use it.

This delicious batter can also be used to make a cake. Instead of baking in a muffin tin, pour batter into a 9-inch round cake pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake at 350F degrees for 13-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Granulated Non-calorie Sweetener?
This recipe calls for a granulated non-calorie sweetener that measures 1:1 for sugar. If you use a sweetener that doesn’t measure 1:1, (such as Truvia (affiliate link)) you will need to adjust the amount you use accordingly.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy these light and airy chocolate cupcakes plain, or with a light dusting of powdered sugar or icing. Additionally, you can top these cupcakes with chopped nuts or your favorite sprinkles or sanding sugar right before they go into the oven.

How to Store Leftover Cupcakes

Leftover cupcakes can be store at room temperature in an airtight container.

If you’ve made these Skinny Chocolate Cupcakes, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

Recipe source: Eat More of What You Love (affiliate link) by Marlene Koch

More Lightened Up Cupcakes & Muffins for WeightWatchers

• Mini Double German Chocolate Cupcakes – Bite-sized and packed with rich chocolate flavor, these mini cupcakes offer all the indulgence of German chocolate cake, but with a lighter twist.
• These fluffy Guilt-Free 7-Up Cupcakes get their lift and sweetness from sugar free 7-Up, creating a moist, delicious treat without the extra calories.
• Bursting with grated carrots and warm spices, these Carrot Cake Cupcakes Made Lighter are a healthier take on a classic favorite—perfectly sweet and satisfying.
• Moist, chocolaty, and naturally sweetened with ripe bananas, these Skinny Chocolate Banana Muffins are a deliciously guilt-free way to enjoy a rich chocolate treat.
• With just cake mix and apple sauce, 2-Ingredient Apple Spice Cake Mix Cupcakes are quick, easy, and filled with cozy apple-spice flavor—perfect for busy days.