Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Mocha Buttercream Frosting

• I have not really been baking anything chocolate lately so I have been a MIA, but I did make these yummy cupcakes this weekend for some friends, who were having guests. 
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• It is basically a delicious vanilla cupcake (thank you Martha Stewart) with my favorite buttercream frosting recipe kicked up with the addition of coffee!
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For those of you who like chocolate and coffee these cupcakes will quickly become a favorite. 

• White cupcakes
• recipe from Martha Stewart
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• 1 3/4 cups cake flour, not self-rising
• 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt; mix on low speed until combined. Add butter, mixing until just coated with flour

In a large glass measuring cup, whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla. With mixer on medium speed, add wet ingredients in 3 parts, scraping down sides of bowl before each addition; beat until ingredients are incorporated but do not overbeat

Divide batter evenly among liners, filling about 2/3 full. Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 17 to 20 minutes

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat process with remaining batter. Frost. Serve at room temperature.

Whipped Chocolate Mocha Frosting

2 sticks of softened butter (Must be SOFT not melted)
31/2 cups of powdered sugar
1/2 cup of cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp of vanilla
2 tsp of instant coffee granules. or espresso powder
4 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream

DIRECTIONS:

Cream softened butter in an electric mixer for a few minutes.  Mix instant coffee granules with the heavy whipping cream until dissolved. Turn off mixer and add the cocoa powder and the powdered sugar, start mixing on low speed otherwise you will have a huge mess. Mix ingredients until incorporated and then add the salt, vanilla and the heavy whipping cream/coffee mixture. Mix on high for 4 minutes or until light and fluffy.

I hope you have a fabulous day! Enjoy!