Easy-Peasy Chocolate Cupcakes

Cupcakes

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 ³/₄ cup + 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• ³/₄ cups natural unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 ¹/₂ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• ²/₃ cup canola oil vegetable oil would also be fine
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs lightly beaten (preferably room temperature)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot water (or hot coffee or 1 tsp instant coffee dissolved into 1 cup hot water)

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup salted butter softened to room temperature, 2 sticks
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• ¹/₂ cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3-5 Tbsp milk

Cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350F and line muffin tin with cupcake liners (or lightly grease and flour).
2. In large bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Stir in canola oil and milk, stirring until combined.
4. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring after each addition.
5. Stir in vanilla extract.
6. Add hot water and stir until the mixture is evenly combined (it will be a thin batter. When you first add the water the batter will separate a bit, stir until it is even in texture. Be careful with the hot water as it may splatter as it is stirred).
7. Fill prepared muffin tin cavities just over 2/3 of the way full and bake at 350F for 18-22 minutes (use the toothpick test to check).
8. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

1. In electric mixer cream butter
2. Add sugar, one cup at a time until completely combined
3. Stir in cocoa powder and then vanilla extract. Pause to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
4. Add milk, 1 Tbsp at a time and beating on medium-high speed after each addition for about 15 seconds until desired icing consistency is reached (the less milk you use, the stiffer the frosting will be).
5. Pipe icing on completely cooled cupcakes and add sprinkles (if desired).
6. Serve and enjoy.