The Braided Blonde

Hey Everyone! Today I am posting my first recipe! This is one of my absolute favorite cupcakes, since it caters to both my chocolate and fruit cravings. The cake itself is so moist and rich, and the light orange buttercream really compliments the cake well! Ahh I wish I could eat this every day!! I got this recipe from Frugal Mom Eh! Here is the recipe:

INGREDIENTS:
Chocolate Cupcakes:
1 3/4 cups flour
2 cups sugar (or truvia baking blend)
1 cup dark cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Orange Buttercream Frosting:
1 cup butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
4 tbsp whipping cream
1 tsp orange extract
orange food coloring (optional)
for a garnish, you can sprinkle cocoa powder, chocolate, or a chocolate covered clementine.

INSTRUCTIONS:
Chocolate Cupcakes:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 and line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners, set this aside
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt
3. In another large bowl, stir eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes *mix is runny*
4. Fill the cupcake liners with the chocolate batter about 3/4 of the way full. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick can be inserted into the middle of the cupcake without any remnants on it.
5. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a baking rack until completely cool.

Orange Buttercream Frosting:
1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and powdered sugar on medium speed. Add in the whipping cream and continue to beat. Add in the orange extract (may need more or less, depends on how strong you want the flavor to be) and the food coloring until fully mixed.
2. Transfer the frosting into a pastry bag and frost the cupcakes in any way you want!

Makes 24 cupcakes