Espresso Fudge Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

Espresso Fudge Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

Adapted from this site.

Cupcakes
1 cup flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tsp espresso powder

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Mix flour, cocoa, espresso, baking powder, soda and salt in a bowl. In a separate larger bowl, cream butter and sugar together with mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed, and add vanilla, egg. Add milk/flour mixture alternating while still mixing. Stir in chocolate chips at the end. Pour into greased cupcake pan or cupcake liners. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. (If you hit a chocolate chip, your toothpick won't be clean - ha!) Watch these carefully, and adjust if your oven is too hot/too cool. Cool on wire rack.

Frosting

4 oz. cream cheese

1/2 tsp vanilla

2 cups powdered sugar

3 tsp cocoa powder

splash of milk

Mix cream cheese and vanilla at medium speed until creamy. While beating, add sugar, cocoa, milk gradually. Spread on cooled cupcakes with spatula or knife. Top with chocolate chips, coffee beans, shaved chocolate, whatever you like.