Kitchen Sink Cupcakes
These kitchen sink cupcakes are the ultimate in sweet vs savory, with classic chocolate cupcakes topped with vanilla frosting and salty and crunchy toppings.
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Table of Contents
- About Kitchen Sink Cupcakes
- What are kitchen sink cupcakes?
- What’s in kitchen sink cupcakes?
- What other toppings can you use?
- Can these cupcakes be made in advance?
- How should these cupcakes be stored?
- How long do cupcakes last?
- Can you freeze these Kitchen Sink cupcakes?
- Notes & tips for kitchen sink cupcakes
- More recipes with chocolate
- More cupcake recipes
- How to make kitchen sink cupcakes
- Recipe Details
About Kitchen Sink Cupcakes
If you’ve ever heard the phrase “everything and the kitchen sink,” that’s where the inspiration for these cupcakes comes from. The idea is to scour your kitchen and add lots of unique toppings that you wouldn’t normally see on a cupcake – all the best salty and crunchy snacks – but that are still delicious.
Plus, cupcakes like these are not only fun to serve, but fun to make. Part of the challenge is coming up with new combinations and creations.

What are kitchen sink cupcakes?
These cupcakes are inspired by the idiom, “everything but the kitchen sink.” It means that everything has been added to these cupcakes, where everything is code for all the delicious snacks and mix-ins you can possibly think of in a baked good.
Do you want chocolate chips? Sure, toss those in the batter. How about pretzels? Potato chips? Okay, go ahead and stick them in the frosting.
The possibilities are endless for the different flavor combinations when you’re adding everything in your pantry but the kitchen sink.
What’s in kitchen sink cupcakes?
To have your own fun and crazy kitchen sink cupcakes, you’ll need to track down the following ingredients:
- Chocolate cake mix – These cupcakes strive to make things easier by adapting boxed chocolate cake mix into moist cupcakes. You can use any type or flavor that you’d like.
- Instant chocolate pudding mix – A key ingredient for turning regular box mix into a delicious batter.
- Greek yogurt – Adds delicious moisture to the cupcakes. You can substitute this for an equal amount of sour cream.
- Espresso powder and mini chocolate chips – For enhancing the chocolate flavor.
- Vegetable oil, milk, eggs, vanilla, and salt – Classic ingredients for baked goods and homemade frosting.
- Heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and instant vanilla pudding mix – For creating the creamy frosting.
- Mini pretzels, potato chips, toffee bits, and caramel sauce – Just some of the fun add-ins that you can top the frosting with.

What other toppings can you use?
Because these cupcakes are supposed to have “everything and the kitchen sink,” the whole idea is to add lots of toppings that you might not normally see on a cupcake, particularly to create a sweet-and-salty combination. Other than those already listed in the recipe, some of my favorite additions include:
- Crackers, any type
- Whoppers
- Gummy bears or Swedish fish
- Sno-Caps
- Junior Mints
- Popcorn, like classic buttered, caramel popcorn, or kettle corn
- Cracker Jacks or Crunch ‘n Munch
- M&M’s, any type
- Mini marshmallows or dehydrated miniature marshmallows
- Chocolate sauce
- Mini Rolo’s
- Different types of cereal, like Cheerios, Chex, or Frosted Flakes
- Peanuts, any type
- Bugels
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites
Can these cupcakes be made in advance?
Yes, they totally can – but with one small catch.
Hold off on adding the extra toppings (such as the pretzels, chips, toffee bits, and caramel sauce) until just before serving. This will ensure that the crunchy toppings don’t become soggy by sitting in the frosting for too long.

How should these cupcakes be stored?
Due to these cupcakes having a whipped cream-based frosting, these cupcakes should be stored in the refrigerator. They should also not sit for more than two hours at room temperature.
How long do cupcakes last?
When stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator, cupcakes can last anywhere from two to three days.
Can you freeze these Kitchen Sink cupcakes?
Yes, you totally can!
To freeze these cupcakes:
- Bake cupcakes per recipe instructions, then allow to cool completely. Note: for best and consistent results, do not decorate cupcakes before freezing. Frosting types and consistency may vary and could impact how long or well the cupcakes will last while frozen.
- Wrap cupcakes in plastic wrap. You can either wrap them individually or arrange the cupcakes in a group (single layer) and wrap them together.
- Place wrapped cupcakes in a freezer bag or a storage container with a sealable lid.
- Cupcakes can be frozen for up to three months.
Notes & tips for kitchen sink cupcakes
- This recipe has only been tested with whole milk, so I can’t recommend any substitutions (almond, oat, etc).
- If you’re having a hard time finding espresso powder, you can also use instant espresso. Instant coffee is not recommended, though.
- Make sure you have enough muffin tins to make 24 cupcakes (total yield of this recipe, unless the serving size is adjusted in the recipe card below).

More recipes with chocolate
More cupcake recipes
How to make kitchen sink cupcakes
This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.
Step 1 – Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer + large bowl), whip together the following ingredients: chocolate cake mix, vegetable oil, greek yogurt, milk, eggs, instant chocolate pudding mix, vanilla, salt, and espresso powder.


Step 2 – Turn off the mixer and use a spatula to gently fold the mini chocolate chips into the batter.
Step 3 – Using 2 cupcake pans, spray them with baking spray, add cupcake liners, and fill each cavity about 3/4 full of cupcake batter.

Step 4 – Bake!
Step 5 – While the cupcakes bake and cool, prepare the frosting by whipping together the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and instant vanilla pudding mix.
Step 6 – Decorate the cupcakes with frosting, then top with crumbled pretzels, potato chips, toffee bits, mini chocolate chips, and caramel sauce.




Step 7 – Serve and enjoy!

Kitchen Sink Cupcakes
Ingredients
Chocolate Cupcakes
- 15 ounces chocolate cake mix, 1 box
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
Vanilla Frosting & Toppings
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- mini pretzels, crushed, for topping
- potato chips, crushed, for topping
- toffee bits, crushed, for topping
- mini chocolate chips, for topping
- caramel sauce, for topping
Instructions
For the Chocolate Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 muffin tins with cupcake liners, then set aside.
- Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer + large bowl), mix together the chocolate cake mix, vegetable oil, greek yogurt, whole milk, eggs, instant chocolate pudding mix, vanilla, salt, and espresso powder until combined.15 ounces chocolate cake mix, 3/4 cup vegetable oil, 1/2 cup greek yogurt, 1/2 cup whole milk, 3 large eggs, 3.4 ounces instant chocolate pudding mix, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
- Remove bowl from mixer. Add chocolate chips to bowl and use a spatula to gently fold them into the batter.3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- Pour batter into prepared cupcake pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full (about 3-4 tablespoons per.)
- Bake cupcakes for 18-21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let rest for 5 minutes in pan, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
For the Vanilla Frosting
- Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer + large bowl), whip together the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and instant vanilla pudding mix until light and fluffy.2 cups heavy whipping cream, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/3 cup instant vanilla pudding mix
Putting it all Together
- When ready to decorate, fill a pastry bag with prepared vanilla frosting and a piping tip of your choice.
- Frost each cupcake in a decorative pattern.
- Just before serving, decorate tops of frosted cupcakes with pretzels, potato chips, toffee bits, mini chocolate chips, and caramel sauce.mini pretzels, potato chips, toffee bits, mini chocolate chips, caramel sauce
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
I do my best to provide nutrition information, but please keep in mind that I’m not a certified nutritionist. Any nutritional information discussed or disclosed in this post should only be seen as my best amateur estimates of the correct values.