Black Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Frosting

these cupcakes their intense dark color. Unlike regular cocoa powder, black cocoa has been heavily processed, reducing acidity and creating a smoother, less bitter flavor.

If black cocoa powder is unavailable, you can substitute:

• ½ black cocoa powder
• ½ Dutch-process cocoa powder

This combination still produces a very dark cupcake with rich chocolate flavor.continue reading …