Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Caramel Heath Topping

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. This recipe makes 12-14 cupcakes, so prepare one pan (or maybe two) with cupcake liners.

2. Melt the butter and chocolate together in the microwave. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between each time. Set aside to cool.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment; add the eggs, sugar, vanilla, and sour cream and whisk on medium speed until smooth. (about 1 minute)

4. In a medium sized bowl, sift the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together until thoroughly combined.

5. Add the cooled butter/chocolate to the stand mixer and whisk until smooth, about 30 seconds.

6. Slowly add in the flour mixture, about 1/4 cup at a time with the stand mixer on low.

7. As soon as you are done adding the flour turn the mixer off. (You do not want to over-mix!)

8. The batter will be very thick.

9. Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 of the way full with batter. Bake for 15-18 minutes. The center of the cupcake should spring back up if gently pressed.

CHOCOLATE FROSTING

1. In a the bowl of an electric stand mixer, fitted with whisk attachment whisk butter and sugar on medium-high speed until very pale and fluffy or about five minutes.

2. Be sure to stop at least once and scrape the bowl.

3. With the mixer off, add in cocoa powder, vanilla and salt.

4. Turn mixer on low and blend for about 30 seconds.

5. One tablespoon at a time add in heavy cream.

6. Once all cream has been added and mixture is mostly combined, turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl.

7. Now turn the mixer onto medium-high to high and whisk for 3-5 minutes or until mixture is lighter and fluffier. The frosting will be shiny and seem to have many large air bubbles throughout and this is exactly what we are going for. (You can smooth those out on the cake if so desired.)