What's cuter than cupcakes?

Not many desserts can compete with the cute factor of cupcakes. (they were voted cutest in their High School Yearbook!) Here's some tasty chocolate ones! 

Ingredients:

2 1/2 Cups Flour

1 1/4 Cups Cocoa Powder (unsweetened)

2 1/2 Cups Sugar

2 1/2 teaspoons Baking Soda

1 1/4 teaspoons Baking Powder

1 1/4 teaspoons Salt

3 Eggs

1 1/4 Cups Milk

1/2 Cup + 2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil

2 teaspoons Vanilla

1 1/4 Cups Warm Water

Directions:

Sift all dry ingredients into a very large bowl. 

Yes, sifting is time consuming and especially difficult if you don't have a sifter. 

I do not have a sifter, so I just add them to a bowl and whisk all the lumps out of them.

It makes little to no difference in the final product. 

Then, separate one of your eggs.

Add the yolk to the bowl. 

Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl.

Then beat for about 3 minutes with an electric mixer.

mmm....

Line your cupcake pan with paper liners

And somehow manage to get all of the batter from the giant bowl into the tiny cupcake pan. 

For me, that's the hardest part. 

The easiest way is NOT to take it one spoonful at a time from bowl to cupcake pan. It's messy and time-consuming. 

The quicker but still just as messy solution is to mix your batter in a bowl with a spout and then attempt to pour it without spilling any.

In my research, I got a large amount of batter on myself

And my counter as well

What I found was this:

 Add your batter to 2 large ziplock bags- half in each (either having someone hold the bag for you, or using a large plastic container to hold it)

Then take it out and hold it pastry-bag style.

I made the mistake of only putting the batter into one bag and it leaked all over the counter while the cupcakes were baking! Use 2 bags and make sure you have 2 cupcake pans! 

Cut a hole in the bag when you are ready to use it (no sooner! I mean it!) and squeeze the cupcake batter into its rightful home. Fill the cups 2/3 to 3/4 of the way full

Aaah, Finally...

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. 

I like them best with cream cheese frosting, so while whey are cooling take:

 1 package cream cheese, 1 stick butter and 2 cups of powdered sugar (give or take a little)

Mix until desired consistency, adding more powdered sugar if too thin, or a splash of milk if too thick.

I must not lick the computer screen...

Frost your cooled cupcakes

Viola!