Black Magic Cupcake

Halloween is the second best holiday that we look forward every year.  My kids love to dress up for their Halloween party at school.  This year I decided to make some cupcakes for my husband's work place. This cupcake is super moist and its almost like making it from the box mix.  I topped it with some homemade whipped buttercream frosting.

What makes it even more special is that there is not many bowl and beater to wash..yay.  Just mix the liquids in a bowl and the dry ingredients in another and then pour together, whisk whisk.  Try it and this will surely be a go to cupcake mix.

Source:  Hersheys

Ingredients


2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup strong black coffee or 2 tbsp of instant expresso powder mix with 1 cup of hot water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Buttercream Frosting

3 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/2 tsp almond extract
1 to 2 tablespoons whipping cream

Method

• Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line muffin pan with baking cup liners.
• In the bowl stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl add  lightly beaten eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla; whisk till everything is combined. Batter will be thin. Transfer batter to a glass measuring cup with a pour spout and pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove cupcakes from pan. Cool the cupcakes in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and let cool completely on a cooling rack.
• To make butter cream frosting, In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, mix together sugar, shortening and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.
• Add vanilla, almond and cream and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more.
• Decorate however you want.  I used a wilton decorating tip.