Ingredients
Chocolate Cupcakes
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (125 grams) , spooned & leveled
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder (45-grams), I use dutch processed
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (60 ml)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
- 1 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk* (120 ml) , room temperature
- 1/3 cup coffee (80 ml), freshly brewed, or boiling water
Chocolate Buttercream
- 1 cup unsalted butter (226 grams) , softened to room temperature
- 3.5-4.5 cups powdered sugar (385-495 grams), sifted
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder (68 grams), sifted
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3-4 tablespoons whipping cream (45-60 ml), or milk
Direction
Chocolate Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350F (180C) degrees and a 12-cavity muffin pan with muffin papers.
- In a large bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar
- In a separate large bowl whisk together the oil, egg, vanilla extract and milk. When finished, you should no longer see any pieces of egg.
- Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into the well. Whisk together.
- Once the batter is about 60-70% mixed, carefully pour in the hot coffee/boiling water and whisk everything together until smooth.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared cupcake pan, filling each about 1/2 full. You should end up with 11 or 12 cupcakes. If you only get 9 or 10, the cupcakes are too full.
- Bake 1 tray at a time on the middle rack of the preheated oven for 16-20 minutes, or until the tops feel slightly firm to the touch and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan for 10-20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling
Chocolate Frosting
- In a large bowl using a stand or hand-held electric mixer, beat the butter until fluffy.
- Add in 2 cups powdered sugar, vanilla extract and salt and beat until combined starting with the mixer on a low speed.
- Turn the mixer down to low speed and beat in the cocoa powder. If lumpy, be sure to sift the cocoa first.
- Beat in the rest of the powdered sugar about 1/2 cup at a time, alternating with 1 tablespoon cream until the desired sweetness and thickness is reach.
- Frost the cupcakes using a piping bag and your favorite cupcake piping tip (I used a 1M) or a flat edge knife. Optionally decorate with chocolate chips or sprinkles.
