Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

Okay, so today I really had no excuse to bake... Except that I wanted these...

It's finals week! A girl can bake and eat her stress away about a Chemistry final, right?

You're going to have to excuse the crappy photography that goes along with this post. I ran out of natural light, and the lights in my kitchen like to make everything look unappetizing- the complete opposite of what should happen in a kitchen- but nothing else could be done. You'll just have to trust me on this one; these were AWESOME. I love to bake, but I don't usually like what I make. Today was an exception.

The best part is that these were super simple! I just used a recipe for the cupcakes from a Betty Crocker cookbook and I found an amazing frosting on Food Gawker (if you haven't seen this website before, go. Now. It's like food porn. Wait, I probably shouldn't say that on my blog. Too late.)

Okay, seriously bad picture. I know. I'll just stop with this madness and get on to the recipe. Cool? Okay, cool.

What you'll need-

For the cupcakes:

• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 2/3 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup butter
• 2/3 cup baking cocoa
• 1 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 large eggs

To make cupcakes: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat all the ingredients in a large bowl on low for 30 seconds, then beat on high for another 2-3 minutes.
3. Pour into baking liners, then bake for 20-25 minutes.
4. Wait until cupcakes are cooled completely before frosting.

What you'll need for the frosting:

• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup cream cheese at room temperature
• 3/4 cups (1 1/2 sticks) butter at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 oz dark chocolate

To make frosting:

1. In a bowl, beat one stick of butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes.) 
2. Add sugar and continue to beat on low, then add vanilla.
3. In a separate bowl, melt half a stick of butter and the chocolate for about 20 seconds and stir until smooth.
4. Slowly beat the chocolate mixture into the butter and sugar mixture for two more minutes at medium speed.
5. Spread on cupcakes and enjoy!