Magnolia Bakery's Chocolate Cupcakes

• all-purpose flour↗2 cups
• baking soda↗1 teaspoon
• unsalted butter↗1 cup

  and softened

• granulated sugar↗1 cup
• light brown sugar↗1 cup

  firmly packed

• large eggs, at room temperature↗4
• unsweetened chocolate↗6 ounces

  melted

• buttermilk↗1 cup
• vanilla extract↗1 teaspoon

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. 2

   Line 12 cupcake tins with cupcake paper.

3. 3

   In a small bowl, sift together flour and baking soda.

4. 4

   In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth.

5. 5

   Add the sugars and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes.

6. 6

   Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the chocolate, mixing until well incorporated.

7. 7

   Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk and vanilla. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated, but do not overbeat.

8. 8

   Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl to make sure the ingredients are well blended and the batter is smooth.

9. 9

   Carefully spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them about three-quarters full.

10. 10

    Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cupcake comes out clean.

11. 11

    Cool the cupcakes in the tins for 15 minutes. Remove from the tins and cool completely on a wire rack before icing.