Chocolate Cupcakes
3/4 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup hot water
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 heaping tsp baking powder
1 1/2 cups butter
2 1/4 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla
1 cup milk
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Mix cocoa and water in a small bowl until smooth. Mix dry ingredients in separate bowl. Cream butter and sugar till fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each one. Add cocoa and mix. Add vanilla and mix. Add milk and mix. Beat in flour on low until blended. Do not overmix. Pour into greased muffin tins or paper cups. Bake for approximately 20 minutes rotating pan at the half-way mark.
Excellent with a regular icing or buttercream.
Excellent Buttercream Recipe
1 cup butter, room temperature
6-8 cups icing sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
Cream butter. Add 4 cups icing sugar, milk, and vanilla. Mix on low. Add 2 cups icing sugar and mix until light and fluffy. Add more milk or icing sugar if needed.
