Dorie's Double Chocolate Cupcakes

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 stick (8 tbsp) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 oz bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled

For the Frosting:

• 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 tablespoon confectioner's sugar, sifted
• 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces

Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Fit regular-size muffin paper in a 12-cup muffin pan, or butter them with flour and tap out the excess.

Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter at medium speed until soft and creamy. Add the sugar and beat for about 2 minutes, until it is blended into the butter.

Add the egg, then the yolk, beating 1 minute after each addition and scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Beat in the vanilla, then reduce the mixer speed to low and add half the dry ingredients, mixing only until they disappear. Scrape down the bowl and add the buttermilk, mixing until incorporated, then mix in the remaining dry ingredients. Scrape down the bowl, add the melted chocolate and mix it in with the rubber spatula. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin molds.

Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the tops of the cakes are dry and springy to the touch and a knife inserted into their centers comes out clean. Transfer the muffin pan to a rack and let the cakes cool for 5 minutes before unmolding. Cool to room temperature on the rack before decorating.

To make frosting:

Beat butter for a minute with an electric mixer. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time alternately with a little milk. Add the vanilla extract. Continue beating until light and fluffy.

Makes 1 dozen.

Recipe from Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan [/print_this]