Ready For Cupcake Wars?

Dear Turkey,

Confession: when I have to run on the treadmill, when it's raining, when I'm watching my friend's baby, sometimes, I watch Cupcake Wars.

I tell myself it's educational, although I'm really way too lazy to decorate for reasons other than taste. These cupcakes are a secret family recipe, and they could definitely win in the taste category.

Fluffy Mocha Cupcakes With Dense and Creamy Mocha Buttercream

(any recipe with "cream" and "mocha"in the title twice is bound to be awesome)
(makes 24)

For the cupcakes:

Ingredients:

- 2 c sugar
- 2 c flour
- 1 c cocoa
- 1 1/2 t salt
- 2 t baking soda
- 2 eggs
- 2 t vanilla
- 1 c canola oil
- 2 c brewed strong coffee (decaf and/or instant okay, no need to cool it)

Instructions:

- Beat wet ingredients with mixer and then add dry ingredients on low speed.
- Pour (the batter is thin) into cupcake papers.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes for regular-size cupcakes.
- Cool before frosting.

For the frosting:

Ingredients:

- 3 3/4 c confectioners sugar
- 1 stick butter, melted
- 1 t vanilla
- 2 oz melted unsweetened chocolate
- 2 T cream
- 2 T brewed strong coffee (decaf and/or instant okay, cooled)

Instructions:

- Combine everything and mix with a mixer until smooth.
- If your house is not too hot, leave at room temp until cupcakes are ready. (If you do put this in the fridge, you will probably need to let it warm up a little before you frost.)

Enjoy,
Tofu