Devil's Food Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing

★★★☆☆

Prep: 20 mins Cook: 18-20 mins Serves: 12 large cupcakes

Ingredients

Devil's Food Cupcakes:
2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
2⅓ cups (280g) all-purpose flour
⅔ cup (50g) cocoa powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1⅛ cups (300ml) hot coffee
¼ cup rum
2 large eggs
1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Icing:
1½ pounds (680g) cream cheese, softened
1½ cups (330g) unsalted butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon lemon extract (optional)
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
5 cups (600g) confectioner's sugar
2 tablespoons Lyle's Golden Syrup (or honey)

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and prepare 1 dozen large muffin tins with paper baking cups (or two 9-inch rounds).
2. Combine all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl and whisk until combined, set aside.
3. Whisk together eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla until well combined. Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and whisk, while slowly adding the coffee and rum to the batter and whisk until totally blended and smooth, about 2 minutes. The batter will be quite runny.
4. Fill a measuring cup or pitcher with the batter and then fill the muffin cups about ¾ full.
5. Bake the devil's food cupcakes for about 18-20 minutes (about 25-30 for 9-inch rounds) or until a tester comes out clean.
6. Allow to cool on a cake rack and then frost with cream cheese icing.
7. For Cream Cheese Icing: Combine all the ingredients in a medium sized bowl and cream together until smooth. Use a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip to decorate the cupcakes.

The coffee enhances the chocolate flavor without being detectable, while the rum adds depth (alcohol burns off during baking). Author prefers Dutch-processed cocoa for flavor and color, though natural cocoa produces a more even crumb. Can make 18 standard-size cupcakes instead of 12 large ones. Author recommends Philadelphia brand cream cheese specifically. Consider doubling the icing recipe if you want extra for decorating or sampling.

Wine Pairing: Dessert Wine