Cupcakes

I am not a fan of cake mix. I think that when they are made per the instructions on the box, they aren't very appetizing. But there are many recipes on how to improve cake mixes with added ingredients that will make them more tasty. While I would like to bake from scratch cupcakes all the time, it's not always possible. I found this recipe in this adorable cupcake cookbook called HELLO CUPCAKE! If you haven't seen this cookbook, it's full of really cute ideas. I just made plain vanilla cupcakes with homemade chocolate frosting, but I hope that I will be able to make the Van Gogh cake one of these days (check out the cookbook---it's soooo cute)!

Perfect Cake Mix Cupcakes from Hello, Cupcake!

1 box cake mix (French vanilla, devil's food or yellow--without pudding)

1 cup buttermilk (in place of the water called for on the box)

vegetable oil (the amount on the box)

4 large eggs (in place of the number called for on the box)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.

2. Follow the box instructions, putting all the ingredients in a large bowl and using the buttermilk in place of the water specified (the box will call for more water than the mount of buttermilk that you are using), using the amount of vegetable oil that is called for, and adding the eggs. Beat with an electric mixer, until moistened, about 30 seconds. Increase the speed to high and beat until thick, 2 minutes longer.

3. Spoon half of the batter into a ziplock bag. Snip a 1/4 inch corner from the bag and fill the paper liners two-thirds full. Repeat with remaining batter. Bake until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the baking pans, place on a wire rack and allow to cook completely.

Chocolate Frosting

1 stick unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces

2 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

16 oz powdered sugar

1/3 to 1/2 cup milk

1. Combine the butter and the chocolate in a small saucepan. Melt over medium heat, stirring constantly. Add the cocoa powder and stir until smooth. Transfer the chocolate mixture to a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer.

2. Add the powdered sugar alternately with the milk, adding more milk, if necessary, to thin, and beat until fluffy and smooth.