Chocolate Cupcakes

Since cupcakes are a craze nowadays, the first recipe i will share is the chocolate cupcake. A very easy and simple recipe especially for the beginners. This is a favorite of the young and old.  It can be served in parties, just sprinkle candy sprinkles on top of the frosting.

Cupcake

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

3/4 cups Hershey's cocoa

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup strong coffee (2 teaspoons instant coffee plus 1 cup boiling water)

1 cup buttermilk (1 tablespoon vinegar plus mil to equal to 1 cup)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.

Line muffin pans with paper cup linings.

Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.  Add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil and vanilla.  Beat at medium speed until well blended. (Batter will be thin). Pout batter in paper-lined muffin pans 3/4 full.  Bake at 350 fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes or when a cake tester or toothpick comes out clean after poking the center of a muffin.  Cool on wire rack. Set aside.

Chocolate Frosting

1/2 cup butter, softened

2/3 cups Hershey's cocoa ( measure before you sift)

3 cups powdered sugar (sift before you measure) 

1/3 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla.

Beat softened butter and cocoa in a mixing bowl, with hand mixer at medium speed,  until blended. Add powdered sugar alternately with milk (begin and end with powdered sugar). Add vanilla. Continue beating until of spreading consistency.

* if mixture is thick, add milk 

Get a rosette tip and pipe swirls on top of the cupcake...

 Or add candy sprinkles on top of the frosting...