Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

These cupcakes were inspired by my good friend Mandy. Word on the street is that her mom, Marg, makes the best cream cheese frosting this side of the Mississippi. I'm not one to argue fact. I will just say that these were made lovingly, with Mandy and Marg in mind.

Cupcakes
1 -1/2 cups pastry or ap flour
1/2 cup alkalized unsweetend cocoa
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup whole milk
1/2 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

Preheat oven to 400. Yield 1 dozen cupcakes.
Whisk dry ingredients in bowl. Mix wet ingredients in separate bowl. Add wet to dry, mixing just until wet and dry ingredients are thoroughly combined. Batter will be stiff. Spoon equally into 12 cupcake liners. Bake until tops spring back.

Frosting
1/2 cup butter - room temp
8oz cream cheese - cold
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 pound confectioners sugar

Beat butter until creamy, add cold cream cheese and beat until well combined. Add vanilla, mix until combined. Add powdered sugar, all at once. Mix on LOW until the mixture is starting to pull together and looking almost dough-like. Turn mixer to high and beat until light and creamy.

Happy rainy Monday.