Twix Cupcakes

Chocolate cupcakes:

(makes about 34 cupcakes) 

- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa (sifted)

- 2 cups sugar

- 2 1/2 cups flour

- 2 teaspoons baking powder

- 1 teaspoon baking soda

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- 1 cup hot water

- 1 cup buttermilk

- 2 eggs

- 1/2 cup vegetable oil

- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1. Line cupcake tins and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

2. In a small bowl, stir flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. Sift cocoa into a medium size bowl. Pour in the cup of hot water, and whisk until completely dissolved.

4. Add buttermilk, then add sugar, and whisk until combined. Add eggs, oil, and vanilla. Mix again.

5. Take flour mixture and whisk into wet mixture. Stir in heavy cream until evenly mixed in. 

6. Pour batter into cupcake tins, and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. 

7. Let cupcakes cool completely.

For the frosting: 
(enough for about 20 cupcakes) I doubled the recipe below to make sure I had enough frosting.. 
Recipe from: cannella-vita.blogspot.com

- 1/3 cup solid vegetable shortening
- 1/3 cup butter, softened

- 2/3 cup caramel ice cream topping

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- About 4 cups powdered sugar

1. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and shortening.
2. Add caramel and vanilla.
3. Slowly add in powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached. Should be light and fluffy.