Classic Devil's Food Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Today's my birthday which is making this Monday pretty wonderful! Though I am sad I can no longer claim "22" as my song (okay, mine and about 30,000 other people's "song"), I am excited for new adventures over the upcoming year. This year's goal: working my happiness like it's a full time job.

Of course, every birthday has to include cake. One my personal favorites is this devil's food cake recipe from the Cake Mix Doctor. Yes, it includes cooking from a cake mix BUT the results are amazing. The cake mix means it's easy to put these together, but the buttermilk and extra cocoa powder lend an intense flavor.

These are perfect for any one's birthday, or really any celebratory event!

Devil's Food Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

1 package (18.25 ounces) plain devil's food cake mix

3 tablespoons unsweeted cocoa powder

1 1/3 cups buttermilk

1/2 cup vegetable oil, such as canola, corn, safflower, soybean, or sunflower

3 large eggs

3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 stick butter, at room temperature

3 cups confectioners sugar, sifted

3-4 tablespoons whole milk

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put cupcake liners in a cupcake pan. Set aside.

Place the cake mix, cocoa powder, buttermilk, oil, eggs, and one teaspoon of vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat 3 minutes more, scraping down the sides again if necessary. The batter should look well blended.

Divide the batter into the cupcake pan. Bake until the cupcakes spring back when lightly pressed with your finger and just start to pull away from the sides of the pan (about 15-20 minutes). Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the pan and let cool completely.

For the frosting: Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed until fluffy, 30 seconds. Stop the machine and add the confectioners' sugar, two teaspoons of vanilla, and 3 tablespoons of milk. Blend with the mixer on low speed until the sugar is incorporated. Increase the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy. Blend in up to one tablespoon milk if the frosting seems to stiff.