Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups (192g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • ¾ cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder, Dutch-processed preferred
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup (180ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ¾ cup (180ml) hot coffee
  • 6 oz (170g) good quality white chocolate, finely chopped
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (2 sticks, 227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • ¾ cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder, Dutch-processed preferred
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Black sprinkles, edible glitter, fondant bats (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine sugar, oil, and vanilla. Beat in buttermilk and eggs until well combined.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the hot coffee, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined (don't overmix).
  5. Fill cupcake liners about ⅔ full.
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the tin for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  7. Heat heavy cream in saucepan until it nearly boils. Pour over white chocolate, and stir to combine, until smooth. Let it cool slightly, then fill a piping bag and insert into the center of each cupcake.
  8. In a large bowl, beat butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, alternating with heavy cream, until smooth and creamy. Beat in vanilla extract and salt.
  9. Frost cupcakes with the dark chocolate frosting. Decorate with black sprinkles, edible glitter, or fondant bats for extra Bat-signal flair!