baking the world into a sweeter place: Mocha Cupcakes

These Cupcakes are for all you coffee lovers out there.

Mocha Cupcakes

Yields 12 cupcakes

1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup whole milk

1/2 cup strong brewed coffee

1-1/2 teaspoons instant coffee powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 stick of butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 egg, at room temperature

1. Mix the coffee powder and brewed coffee in a bowl until dissolved, and set aside to cool.

2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin tin with paper liners.

3. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.

4. In a bowl with a mixer, beat the butter and both sugars together on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat until incorporated. In a measuring cup, combine the milk, coffee mixture, and vanilla. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the coffee mixture, ending with the flour mixture (wow, thats a mouth full).

5. Divide the batter evenly between the 12 liners (I had a little extra for a few mini cupcakes). Bake for 17-20 minutes, or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean.

Mocha Buttercream Frosting

2 sticks butter, at room temperature

2-1/2 cups confectioners sugar

1-1/2 teaspoon cocoa powder

1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1-1/2 teaspoons instant coffee powder

1. Combine the coffee powder with the vanilla until dissolved and set aside.

2. In a bowl with a whisk attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed for 5 minutes, scraping the sides once. Reduce the speed to low and add the confectioners sugar a little bit at a time until smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the cocoa powder and increase the speed to medium-high and whip until fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add the coffee and vanilla mixture and continue to beat until it is completely incorporated, scraping the sides as necessary. Frost the cupcakes as desired.