Leslie's Cappuccino Chip Cupcakes w/Mocha Buttercream Frosting

I repeat . . . Leslie's Cappuccino Chip Cupcakes with Mocha Buttercream Frosting!! Doesn't that sound unreal??!! And it was unreal ono. I must extend a HUGE MAHALO to Les for typing out this recipe that got PLENNY words so that you can try it out. THANK YOU LES!!



1/3 C water
4 teaspoons instant coffee granules
1 box yellow cake mix
1 box (3.5 oz) vanilla pudding
3/4 Cup whole milk
3/4 Cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
1 Cup miniature chocolate chips plus mocha buttercream
1/3 Cup mini chocolate chips for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Place water and coffee in a small glass liquid measuring cup and microwave on high for 40 seconds. Remove and stir until all the coffee is disolved. Set aside and cool for about 5 minutes.
3. Place cake mix, pudding mix, milk, oil, eggs, and coffee in large mixing bowl. Blend on low for about 30 seconds, stop machine and scrape sides with a rubber spatula. Increase speed and mix for 2 minutes more, scraping sides if needed. It should look thick and well combined. Fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips. Fill cupcakes about 3/4 full, you should get about 2 dozen cupcakes.
4. Bake cupcakes until they spring back when lightly pressed with your finger, 18-20 minutes (I usually have to bake mines around 21-23 minutes). Remove pans from the oven and set aside to cool.
5. Prepare mocha buttercream frosting:
1/4 Cup milk
1 heaping teaspoon instant coffee granules
8T (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
2 oz German's sweet chocolate bar, grated (I used a dark chocolate bar)
3 1/2 Cups powdered sugar, sifted
1T water, if needed

1. Place milk and coffee in small glass liquid measuring cup. Microwave on high, 30 to 40 seconds. Remove and stir until coffee is dissolved. Set aside to cool
2. Place butter, cooled coffee and grated chocolate in mixing bowl. Blend on low speed for 30 seconds, or until mixture has softened. Stop machine and gradually add powdered sugar. Blend on low speed until all sugar is incorporated, about 1 minute. Increase speed to medium until light and fluffy. Blend in 1T of water if the frosting seems too stiff.
Frost cooled cupcakes and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips. Enjoy!