Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Dark Chocolate Frosting

WARNING: These cupcakes are for serious chocolate fans only. Consumer discretion is advised.

These cupcakes are not your average chocolate cupcake. Sometimes when you eat a chocolate cupcake, they have a very weak taste. Like if someone were to blindfold you and you didn't see what the cupcake looked like, you wouldn't be 100% certain that what you were eating was a chocolate cupcake. But these cupcakes, my friends, are RICH. 

It's a moist dark chocolate cupcake topped with thick dark chocolate frosting. They're so deliciously fudgy. I honestly don't think they can be eaten without a glass of milk.

Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Dark Chocolate Frosting

Yield: makes about 12 cupcakes

Ingredients 

For the dark chocolate cupcakes

• 1/2 cup (1 stick or 115g) unsalted butter
• 2 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate
• 1/2 cup (42g) unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch processed)
• 3/4 cup (95g) all-purpose flour*
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (50g) packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk

For the dark chocolate frosting

• 2 and 3/4 cup (330g) confectioners' sugar
• 2/3 cup (80g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 6 Tablespoons (90g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 6 Tablespoons (95ml) heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

For the cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Line a 12-cup cupcake/muffin pan with cupcake liners. Set aside.
2. Melt the butter and chocolate together in the microwave. Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring between each time. You may also melt the butter and chocolate over low heat on the stovetop. Stir until smooth and set aside to slightly cool.
3. 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 *just* combined; do not overmix. The batter will be very thick like pudding.
4. Divide the batter between 12 liners in your cupcake pan. Bake for 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting

1. Sift together the confectioners' sugar and cocoa powder to assure there are no lumps. Set aside. 
2. 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 frosting is too sweet.
3. Frost cooled cupcakes and top with sprinkles as desired. 
4. Cupcakes stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.  Store covered in the refrigerator is desired for up to 1 week.

Recipe adapted from Sally's Baking Addiction.