Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

Yummy!

This recipe makes about 18 cupcakes.

INGREDIENTS
For cupcakes:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup hot water
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For chocolate frosting:
1 cup unsalted butter
3 Tablespoons dark corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pinch salt
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa, sifted
1 lb confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1/2 cup whipping cream
candy sprinkles (optional)

METHOD
Cupcakes:
Sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt into the bowl of a heavy mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; add sugar. Turn the mixer on low and add, in order; water, milk, eggs, oil and vanilla; scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat on medium, briefly, to achieve a smooth batter.

Scoop the batter into muffin tins lines with paper baking cups; each cup should be about half full; slide the tins onto a baking sheet and bake at 325° until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes.

While cupcakes are cooling, prepare the frosting.

Frosting:
Cream the butter in the bowl of a mixer, using the paddle attachment; beat in the corn syrup, vanilla and salt.

With the machine off, spoon in the cocoa; carefully turn the mixer on low so as to avoid cocoa inhalement; do likewise for the sugar, in three parts; last, add the cream then beat until fluffy.

When the cupcakes are completely cool, frost generously and shake on some sprinkles if you like.