Vanilla Latte Cupcake

This cupcake is one of my favorites.  It has a very distinct coffee flavor and just the right amount of sweetness.  The cupcake itself is soft because of the use of cake flour.  You can also use all purpose flour if you prefer a denser cupcake.

Ingredients:

For the cupcake:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature, I used salted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla
1-1/2 cup cake flour or all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup fresh milk + 1 tsp coffee powder
About 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

For the frosting:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar, measured and sifted
1 tbsp fresh milk + 1 tsp coffee powder

Yield:  About 12 cupcakes

Steps:
Cupcake:
1.  Sift flour and baking powder together.
2.  Cream butter until light, about 1-2 minutes.  Add in sugar and continue to beat until light and creamy.
3.  Add eggs one at a time, making sure to mix well after each addition.
4.  Alternately add the flour and milk mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, mixing well after each addition.
5.  Add in the vanilla and chocolate chips and mix well.
6.  Line your cupcake pans and transfer the mixture.
7.  Bake at 350 degrees Celsius for about 15-20 minutes.  Note that each oven is different, so make sure to check a few minutes before the timer and it's done if a toothpick inserted at the center comes out clean or just a few crumbs in it.
8.  Transfer to a wire rack and let it cool completely before frosting.

Frosting:
1.  Beat butter until light and fluffy.
2.  Add in the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time.
3.  Add the milk and coffee mixture and continue beating until light and fluffy.  Frost your cooled cupcake and top with your favorite toppings.  I topped mine with dark chocolate chips and jimmies.