CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 ounces melted unsweetened  baking chocolate

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Line cupcake pans with paper liners.

Add and combine all the ingredients into large mixing bowl.  Mix at a low speed for 30 seconds, and scrape the  bowl.  Mix at a high speed for 3 minutes.

Fill the liners half to two thirds full of batter.  Bake them for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Take them out of the oven and cool them down for about 10 minutes. and then on a wire rack to cool down completely

add flavored frosting of your choice when they have completely cooled down 

Flavored frosting

Peanut butter frosting:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/3 cup cream
• In a large bowl, beat butter and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Slowly beat in 1/2 of the confectioner's sugar. Mix in 1/4 cup of the cream. Beat in the remaining confectioners' sugar. If necessary, add a little more cream or milk until the frosting reaches a good spreading consistency.

Chocolate frosting:

Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 5 tablespoons evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• In a medium bowl, sift together the confectioners' sugar and cocoa, and set aside.In a large bowl, cream butter until smooth, then gradually beat in sugar mixture alternately with evaporated milk. Blend in vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. If necessary, adjust consistency with more milk or sugar.