Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream Filling and Frosting

For the cupcakes:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12 count muffin pan with cupcake liners.

Put the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and butter into a bowl and using an electric mixer, mix on low speed until the mixture is a sandy consistency and everything is combined. Gradually pour in half of the milk and beat until the milk is just incorporated.

Whisk the egg, vanilla and remaining milk together in a separate bowl for a few seconds, then pour into the flour mixture and continue beating until just incorporated. Scrape any unmixed ingredients from the side or the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Continue mixing until the batter is smooth. Just a few minutes. Do not overmix.

Scoop the batter into the paper lined muffin tins, dividing between the 12 cups (I ended up with 10.. I think I scooped way too much!). Bake for 20-25 minutes or until light golden and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool slightly in the pan, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

While cooling, prepare the “best” chocolate buttercream frosting. I reckon the Milo powder worked wonders!

Cream together butter, cocoa powder and salt. Butter mixture will be very thick.

Turn off the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl and add powdered sugar little by little. Turn mixer on low and mix in powdered sugar while adding the milk and vanilla extract. As the sugar incorporates, raise the speed of the mixer to beat the frosting. Beat until smooth.

In a 1-cup measuring glass, stir together heavy cream and Milo. Turn mixer speed to medium and pour cream mixture into the frosting in a slow, steady stream, until you’ve reached your desired consistency.

** You may not need the full amount of Milo and cream – just use enough to reach a spreading consistency.

To assemble:

Fill cupcakes once cool. I used an apple corer to remove a bit of the top center of the cupcakes where the chocolate buttercream filling goes. It made my life easier. Hee. You can fill it however way you like, though.

Once filling is almost up to the brim, replace top of the cupcake and spread or pipe the remaining frosting on as you wish.

You can also use candy sprinkles for added cuteness.