Super Soft Chocolate Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

I printed this recipe from the very talented Joy the Baker, like 2 years ago.  Its been sitting in my recipe file for way too long.  I wanted to make cupcakes for a birthday gathering that a friend was hosting.  After sifting through way too many recipes, trying to think of really creative ideas -- I decided I wanted to make a plain and simple chocolate cupcake.

These cupcakes really are super soft and light (I mean light and airy, not healthy... but who thinks about that when eating a cupcake?).  You can finish them off however you would like, but I highly suggest this Buttercream Frosting.  Its the BEST.

One Year Ago: Berry Smoothie


Super Soft Chocolate Cupcakes
Source:  Joy the Baker
Yields:  about 4 dozen cupcakes

Ingredients
3 cups sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 Tablespoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups sour cream
1  cup strong coffee, cooled
Buttercream Frosting

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pan with cupcake papers. Set aside.

Using a stand mixer fit with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating for 1 minute in between each addition. Scrape down bowl after each addition. Beat in vanilla.

Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry mixture to the creamed butter and sugar alternately with the sour cream. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Beat to incorporate.

With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the cooled strong coffee to the batter. Add in a slow steady stream to prevent splashing. The batter will become fairly thing and smooth. Scrape down bowl and beat for 1 minute to ensure the batter is completely mixed.

Pour into cupcake papers and bake on middle rack for 15 minutes, or until a pick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.

Remove from oven and set on wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and let cool to room temperature on wire racks.

Decorate with Buttercream Frosting or frosting of your choice.