Chocolate Cupcakes & Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

For years I have been tweaking chocolate cake and frosting recipes, looking for the perfect cupcake combination. I stumbled across a chocolate buttercream frosting recipe the other day, and I decided to try it with my favorite chocolate cake recipe. The cupcakes turned out so well I had to share the recipes.

Chocolate Cupcakes

1 package devil's food chocolate cake mix

1 package (3.9 ounces) chocolate instant pudding mix

4 eggs

8 ounces sour cream

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup water

4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat first six ingredients on low speed for 30 seconds; beat on medium speed for two minutes. Stir in chopped chocolate. Spoon into cupcake liners. Bake as directed on cake mix box (for 24 cupcakes).

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, melted and cooled

Whip butter on medium-high speed for five minutes. Reduce speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar. Once all of the powdered sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to medium-high and add the vanilla, mixing until incorporated. Add the melted chocolate and whip at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about two minutes.