Black and White Cupcakes

This week I did a cupcake-y take on the classic idea of black and white. There are black and white movies, pictures, parties, even cookies, so I thought why not a cupcake too? The vanilla buttercream pairs perfectly with the chocolate cupcakes, and makes me want to have a black and white party! Enjoy!

Black and White Cupcakes

Yields 24+ {about 30}

Cupcakes:

1 cup butter

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flower

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

4 eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup almond milk

Frosting:

1 1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup shortening

4 cups confectioner's sugar

2 tbsp vanilla

Directions:

Melt the butter and chocolate together in the microwave.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and baking powder.

In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the eggs, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla together until smooth.

Add the cooled butter/chocolate and beat until smooth.

While still beating, add half of the flour mixture, then half of the almond milk.

Repeat until everything is added. Stir until just combined

Bake on 350 for 20-25 minutes

For  the frosting, beat the butter and shortening together until they are smooth and combined {about 5 minutes}.

One cup at a time, beat in the confectioner's sugar. Make sure you scrape down the sides of the bowl after each addition so that the end result won't be lumpy.

After all of the sugar is added, beat in the vanilla extract.

Pipe the frosting with a star tip onto the cooled cupcakes.

If you want to top the cupcakes with something, try shaved white chocolate and pearl sprinkles. I liked leaving them just plain, but the toppings looked pretty too.