Dark Chocolate Cupcakes - Red and White Vanilla Buttercream

These cupcakes were made for a Christmas Eve get together.

Dark Chocolate Cake recipe made into cupcakes.

2 cups boiling water

2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Ruddy Red cocoa powder from Bulk Barn)

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter, softened

2 1/4 cups white sugar

4 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract (I use Nielson Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla) 

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350 ºF. This makes over 3 dozen cupcakes so prepare pans accordingly.

In a medium bowl, pour boiling water over cocoa, and whisk until smooth. Let mixture cool. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Add the flour mixture alternately with the cocoa mixture. Scoop batter into prepared pans.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes - check at 18 minutes. Allow to cool.