Rich Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Buttercream

 Cupcakes are perfect.  Perfect size, perfect cake – frosting ratio.  Sprinkles make cupcakes even better.  That might just be me because I LOVE sprinkles… but you can be the judge.  I used Shutterbean’s recipe for her Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake and topped it with a nice vanilla bean buttercream.  Just perfect.  Whenever I can add vanilla bean in something I do.  Seeing those specks makes me so happy.  Bakers will understand.  This weekend is supposed to cool off so it is the perfect time to make some cupcakes!  Make them for your family, make them for your friends, or make them just to feel accomplished then eat way too many.  Whatever you want!

Rich Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Buttercream

 I made this cake stand by the way… more on that later.

Rich Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Buttercream

SPECKS!

Rich Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Buttercream

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Rich Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Buttercream


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for the pan
  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the pan
  • 1 3/4 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • sticks (1 1/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
  • 2½ cups powdered sugar
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 Tablespoons milk
  • chocolate sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine the butter, cocoa powder, salt, and water and put over medium heat. Cook, stirring, just until melted and combined. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  3. Put the flour, sugar, and baking soda in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Add half of the melted-butter mixture and whisk until completely blended (it will be very thick). Add the remaining butter mixture and whisk. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring each to blend completely before adding the next. Add in the sour cream and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Scoop batter into prepared cupcake liners. Fill each liner 3/4 of the way. Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool
  5. In a stand mixer bowl with paddle attachment, beat the butter at medium-high speed until smooth, about 20 seconds. Using a paring knife, scrape seeds from vanilla bean into butter and beat mixture at medium-high speed to combine, about 15 seconds.
  6. Add powdered sugar and salt; beat at medium-low speed for about 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl and beat at medium speed until mixture is fully incorporated, about 30 seconds; scrape bowl, add vanilla and heavy cream, and beat at medium speed until incorporated, about 20 seconds, then increase speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes, scraping down bowl once or twice. If you would like your buttercream thicker, add more powdered sugar, and if you want it thinner, add more milk.
  7. Once cupcakes have cooled, top with desired amount of buttercream and sprinkles!
  8. Cake Recipe Via Shutterbean