Devilishly Delicious Chocolate Cupcakes

Devilishly delicious chocolate cupcakes are a real treat for kids, grandparents, moms and dads. These chocolate cupcakes are easy to make and satisfy your chocolate craving.  This is a good recipe to get the kids involved with specially for the next school or church bake sale.  The original recipe comes verybestbaking.com and Nestle Chocolatier.   I did change the original recipe to include whole wheat pastry flour instead of all-purpose flour.

Devilishly Delicious Chocolate Cupcakes:
Pre-Heat Oven:  350 degrees
Makes:  14 cupcakes

4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, cut into small pieces such as Nestle toll house chocolatier
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour *
1/4 cup baking cocoa, such as nestle toll house baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk, 1% butterfat
1/4 cup water
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1.  In a small microwaveable bowl, melt the chocolate pieces in the microwave for 45 seconds.  Take out and stir the chocolate pieces.  Return the bowl to the microwave and cook for an additional 45 seconds.  Stir the chocolate until it has totally melted.  You can microwave the chocolate in 15 second intervals until it is totally melted.
2.  In a small bowl mix the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.  In a large bowl or mixer, cream together the oil and brown sugar for about 2 minutes.  Add the eggs one at a time mixing after each addition.  Add the vanilla and melted chocolate and mix.  Add the buttermilk and water alternating with the flour mixture.  Fill the greased muffin cups 3/4 of the way and bake at 350 degrees for 18-23 minutes.  Allow the cupcakes to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
 *If you are cooking at high altitude you will want to add 1/4 cup more flour to the batter.

Frosting:
4 oz. bittersweet chocolate pieces, such as Nestle Toll House Chocolatier 62% Bittersweet
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups powder sugar

1.  In a microwaveable bowl, melt the small chocolate pieces on high for 45 seconds then stir.  Place the chocolate back into the microwave and cook for another 15 seconds or until melted.  Cool to room temperature around 10 minutes.

2.  In a mixer with the whip attachment on high, add the butter and vanilla extract until light and fluffy about 2 minutes.  Beat in the melted chocolate scrapping down the sides of the bowl.  Slowly add the powder sugar into the frosting.  If the frosting is too thick add 1 tablespoon of milk until you reach the right consistency.  Makes 1 1/2 cups.

Devilishly Delicious Chocolate Cupcakes