Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

So in honor of my birthday [which is today and everyone should leave me happy, shiny comments], I made cupcakes to bring into the office. It seems sort of sad that I would bake for my own birthday, but it's my birthday so I do what I want! Plus, none of the girls in the office are huge bakers and it isn't like I would have gone in demanding that they bake me something. I bake for their birthdays because I enjoy it. Most people I know hate baking. And hello. New recipes!

So, happy 26th birthday to me. Here's to hoping 26 is better than 25! Whoo!

 

Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

 

Ingredients:

[cupcakes]

1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons butter, softened

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk

[frosting]

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 1/2 packages cream cheese, softened

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

2 teaspoons vanilla

pinch of salt

 

Instructions:

Cream the butter and cream cheese on a medium high speed until smooth.

Slowly add the sifted powdered sugar. Beat the mixture slowly until incorporated. Add the vanilla and salt and beat on medium high until mixed. The frosting should be slightly fluffy and smooth.

Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. [I would make the frosting first since it has to chill.]

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin tin pan with paper liners [I used my beloved mini muffin tin]. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa, and salt and set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy [This is a huge pain in the but with the small amount of butter, but the minute you add the eggs it starts to look normal]. Ad the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the vanilla [which I totally forgot to do, but my cupcakes taste fine. Again, I do what I want.] Add the flour mixture alternately with the milk. Beat well. Fill the muffin cups 3/4 of the way.

Bake for 15 to 17 minutes In the oven or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

And they are delicious! My dad asked why I was eating them... I just looked at him and was like, it's my birthday. I can do what I want! Be jealous that you don't work in my office.