Devil's Food Cupcakes

Indulge yourself with this recipe for Devil's Food Cupcakes with Dark Chocolate Frosting. Perfect for Valentine's Day or any celebration. via @Erren's Kitchen

Ingredients
For the cupcakes:

• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ cup light brown sugar packed
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 stick softened butter plus some for greasing
• ¾ cup sugar superfine or granulated
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 eggs at room temperature

For the frosting:

• ½ cup butter softened
• 4 ounces cream cheese softened
• 4 ounces Dark chocolate melted (see recipe notes)
• 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt optional (to cut sweetness)
• ½ cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder sifted
• 1½ cups powdered sugar sifted
• Black gel food coloring optional (as needed)

Instructions
For the cupcakes:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F/180 C.
2. In a mixing bowl whisk together the cocoa powder, instant coffee, brown sugar, and hot water. Set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together and set aside.