Ingredients
½cupunsalted butter,(1 stick or 115g)
2ozSemi-Sweet Baking Chocolate
½cupunsweetened cocoa powder,(42g)
¾cupall-purpose flour,(95g) spoon & leveled
½tspBaking Soda
¾tspbaking powder
¼tspsalt
2largeeggs,at room temperature
½cupgranulated sugar,(100g)
¼cuppacked light brown sugar,(50g)
1tsppure vanilla extract
½cupbuttermilk,(120ml)
2¾cupsconfectioners’ sugar,(330g)
⅔cupunsweetened cocoa powder,(60g)
6tbspunsalted butter,softened to room temperature
6tbspheavy cream,(95ml)
1tsppure vanilla extract
⅓cupsemi-sweet chocolate chips,(60g) optional for decoration
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup cupcake/muffin pan with cupcake liners. Set aside.
Melt the butter and chocolate together in the microwave. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each time. Stir until smooth and set aside to slightly cool.
In a medium-sized bowl, toss the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together until thoroughly combined. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla together until smooth.
Add the cooled butter/chocolate and whisk until smooth. Add half of the flour mixture, then half of the buttermilk. Repeat until everything is added. Stir until combined and careful not to overmix. The batter will be very thick like pudding.
Fill the cupcake liners ⅔ of the way full with batter. Bake for 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cooling completely before frosting.
Sift together the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder to assure there are no lumps. Set aside. With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy – about 2 minutes.
Gradually add the sifted sugar/cocoa powder alternately with the heavy cream and vanilla. Beat on low speed after each addition.
Once all added, beat on high speed until creamy and combined for at least 2 minutes. Add a pinch of salt if the frosting is too sweet.
Frost cooled cupcakes and top with chocolate chips as desired. Cupcakes stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
