Chocolate Cupcakes w/Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

Ok. This recipe was originally the Mocha Cupcakes, but I've tweaked it pretty much beyond recognition so I renamed it. I played with some unusual ingredients with very favorable results. Everybody loved these. Give them a try and see what you think. I'd love to hear your feedback.

Chocolate Cupcakes w/Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

1 1/3 c. White whole wheat flour
1/3 c. Unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup chocolate almond milk
½ cup vanilla yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup light brown sugar
1 egg, at room temperature

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a standard-size muffin tin with paper liners.

2.  Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.

3.  Beat the butter and both sugars together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg and beat until combined. In a measuring cup, combine the milk, yogurt, and vanilla. Slowly add the flour mixture, alternating with the milk mixture, ending with the flour mixture.

5. Divide the batter evenly between the 12 liners. Baking for 17-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting cupcakes.













Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

Makes enough to frost 12 cupcakes

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2½ cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons strawberry extract
Pink icing gel coloring

1. Using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer, whip the butter on medium-high speed for 5 minutes, stopping once to scrape the sides of the bowl. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the powdered sugar a little at a time, waiting until it is mostly incorporated before adding more. Once all of the powdered sugar has been added, scrape the sides of the bowl and increase the speed to medium-high and whip until fluffy, about a minute or two. Add the strawberry flavoring and continue to mix at medium-high until it is completely incorporated, scraping the sides as necessary.  Add the coloring a little at a time, mixing after each addition until desired color is achieved.