Chocolatey Cupcakes

Instead of doing the typical "Thank you card" I try to do thank you desserts.  I mean, cards are nice and all, but in the end they just end up getting thrown away, recycled, or stored in a box somewhere with all the other thank you cards.  I needed to borrow a DVD from Z's old roommates for a paper, so in return they got some of these scrumptious cupcakes!

Serving Size: 12 cupcakes

Prep Time: ~10 minutes 

Bake Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

3/4 C all-purpose flour
1/2 C unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 C (1 stick) butter, softened
1 1/4 C granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 C whole milk

Preheat your oven to 350 F.  Line muffin baking pan with paper liners.

In a small bowl, carefully mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; set aside.  In a large bowl using an electric mixer beat together butter and sugar until creamy (~3-4 minutes).  Once mixed add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each one.  Add vanilla.  Add flour mixture alternately with the milk, beginning with the flour mixture.  Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, filling about 2/3 full.

Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted and removed cleanly.  Let cool on racks and then enjoy!

If you want to try your own frosting with it, try this easy recipe: Peanut Butter Frosting

Adapted from: The Cupcake Bible