chocolate cupcakes with carmel frosting

these cupcakes are great if you need a little pick-me-up!
Chocolate Cupcakes:
2 C flour, sifted
2 C sugar
3/4 C cocoa
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
1/2 C oil
1 C hot coffee
1 C milk
2 eggs

combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  create a well in the center of the dry ingredients, then add oil, coffee, milk, and eggs.  beat until just combined-there will be some lumps.  pour into lined cupcake tins.  bake @ 350 for approx 15 mins, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Carmel Frosting:
1 C butter
2 C brown sugar
1/2 C milk
approx 4 C powdered sugar, sifted
pinch of salt

melt butter in saucepan over low heat, then add brown sugar.  stir constantly for 2 minutes.  add milk, and continue to stir until mixture comes to a boil.(i ended up turning up the heat to medium here to move the process along!)  remove from heat and cool.  add sugar and your pinch of salt until frosting reaches spreading consistency. 
*note: i added my powdered sugar while mixture was slightly warm.(i'm impatient!)  this resulted in a looser consistency.  i actually liked it this way better, because it is very sweet!  i just spread a small amount on the cupcakes, and added some chocolate sprinkles.  however...after letting is sit on the counter(there was quite a bit left over since i didn't use as much) it DID set up into a nice, creamy frosting.  so, whatever floats your boat here! :o)

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Hope Studios