As much as fancy cupcakes can be pretty to look at and a badge of honor to bring to a holiday gathering, sometimes the tried and true recipes just taste so much better.  Like chocolate cupcakes made with buttermilk for a truly rich and delicious cake.  Taste of Home notes this recipe has been around for many, many years.  And that is the sign of a truly good chocolate cupcake.
Buttermilk Chocolate Cupcakes
Makes about 24 cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1-1/2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup baking cocoa
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup water
FROSTING:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3-3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
- 2 tablespoons evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Chocolate sprinkles
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Combine buttermilk and water. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk and water, beating well after each addition.
- Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
- For frosting, in a small bowl, beat butter and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Beat in melted chocolate, milk, vanilla and salt. Frost cupcakes; garnish with chocolate sprinkles.