There are some days you want a good home made chocolate dessert. These Mocha Fudge Cupcakes will give you the boost to make it through your next tough day.
There are some days that I wonder how I manage to run a blog. Have I ever mentioned how computer illiterate I am? Seriously! I have real problems with computers and tech stuff in general. Oh, I know what I like and how I want it to look, but doing it...forget about it.
One of the things that I have been working on lately is my blog speed. Actually I haven't done anything to "work" on it. I have just sat in tears as my site has been down. They were really tears of joy because that just means there were lots of people trying to access my recipes, and that makes me so happy. But dealing with my server...that was really what the tears came from.
It isn't fun to sit on the phone for hours trying to convince them to turn your site back on, only to watch it crash again 30 minutes later. Finally after talking to 4 different tech support people, they got it back up. But it has been running extremely slow. When a page doesn't load in a couple seconds, no one is going to wait around. So I have been looking into new companies. Finally I found one that I felt comfortable switching too.
One of the things that I needed to do was go into my current server and switch the names to the new one. Sounds easy enough and my new tech guy even sent me directions on how to do it. I thought to myself that this should be fairly easy to do. I got this 🙂
The only problem...I never wrote down my password or user name when I bought my domain. I know...major fail on my part. But I was finally able to get into my google apps for it and was trying to find how to change. I really should have made a batch of this Monster Cookie Dough Popcorn to munch on as I dealt with my "issues".
After looking for a while, I finally called go daddy's support. I swear this girl was probably laughing her butt off at me each time she put me on hold.
She kept asking me what my pin number was, and I kept telling her that I had no idea, and that's why I had called her. Then she asked me to think of one off the top of my head, and what would I choose if I had to pick one right now. Seriously??? Of course nothing I threw out worked, and I was getting so frustrated with her. Finally she transferred me to another tech guy who was much more patient. He walked me through where to get in to switch the names...and he didn't keep asking me for my pin number. That girl was just plain crazy!
Here's the kicker...I actually had done it all right the first time BEFORE I called them. For some reason my computer didn't like the password and pin that I entered manually. The key to getting it to work was just copying and pasting the numbers in. That whole story to say...this is why I pay people to maintain my site. It works out best for all those involved. They make money, and I keep my sanity.
Needless to say, after talking to that girl, I needed some chocolate. Lucky for me, I had all the ingredients to make these awesome Mocha Fudge Cupcakes. Now if you have been reading my blog for very long, you know that I am a huge fan of cake mixes. 9 times out of 10 I will use a box mix before making anything else. But this recipe is one that I have been making for a few years, and I break it out every now and again. I realized as I made it, that I have never shared it here either.
So bonus day...I got my chocolate and you get the recipe.
Recipe
Mocha Fudge Cupcakes
Chocolate Mocha Cupcakes with a hidden pocket of fudge and a coffee butter cream will give you a jolt to make it through the day.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- ½ cup dark cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup oil
- 3 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- ¾ cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
- ½ cup miniature chocolate chips (optional)
- ½ cup hot fudge
For the Coffee Butter Cream
- 1 cup butter
- 4 Tablespoons hot water
- 2 Tablespoons instant coffee granules
- 1 teaspoon coffee extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place 24 cupcake liners in muffin pans.
- Stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the oil, eggs, and extract until foamy. Stir the buttermilk and coffee into the egg mixture.
- Slowly add the flour mixture into the egg/milk mixture until everything has been combined. Beat on medium for 1-2 minutes. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand if using.
- Spoon the batter evenly into the cupcake liners. The liners will only be about half way full. Bake for 18 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
- After cupcakes have cooled, scoop out the center of the cupcake. Fill with a spoonful of hot fudge.
- In a mixing bowl, cream the butter for 2-3 minutes. Combine the hot water and coffee granules while you are waiting.
- Add the coffee, extracts, and salt to the creamed butter and beat again. Slowly add the powdered sugar until all of it has been added.
- Beat for another 1-2 minutes until creamy. Spread or pipe onto the cooled cupcakes. Top with chocolate sprinkles or chocolate candies. Keep refrigerated.
Notes
If you can't find coffee extract for the butter cream, use vanilla extract in place.
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 324Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 256mgCarbohydrates: 46gFiber: 1gSugar: 33gProtein: 3g
Other great recipes for when the chocolate craving hits:
White Chocolate Goo Goo Cluster Brownies
Mocha Cappuccino Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies)
Brenda@sweetsimplestuff says
Tech troubles ... Yuck! I am waiting for a new computer to arrive because mine died. I am operating on an ipad which I don't understand, but I'm grateful to have. I need tech support to come live with me ... I'll make your cupcakes for them 😉
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I could use a 24 hr tech support too! I hope your computer gets there soon!!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh Jocelyn! These cupcakes are just gorgeous! I want one RIGHT. NOW. Yum!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thank you so much Trish!!!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
LOOK AT THAT FUDGE CENTER! Oh em gee, Jocelyn, that is the business right there! I love fudgy things (well, who doesn't?) but fudge centers happen to be my fave! I can't resist that fudgy center of a Drumstick, and I can't resist these cupcakes either! So gorgeous and delicious.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Yes, maam! The fudge was seriously so good in these! I love hidden pockets of goodness!!!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
I'm exactly the same with technology!! It sucks, I'm always like "I want it to do this, why can't I make that happen, why is it so difficult Arghhhhhh?!?!?!" Then I go and eat cake. Anyway, I'm incredibly lucky as my boyfriend is an IT geek so although I get cross during the day, he can usually calm me down in the evening and once I've explained myself clearly enough, which I also struggle with as I know what I want it to look like in my head, he can usually fix it! What would we do without tech guys?! And these cupcakes look great, I've only recently discovered how much I love mocha flavoured things so these definitely need to be made 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Technology totally sucks!!! I don't get it ever!!! At least you have someone close to help you out...I am at the mercy of online designers and support! I think I need another cupcake batch 🙂
Ari @ Ari's Menu says
That hot fudge in the center totally takes these cupcakes to the next level! I was in love just with the coffee and the chocolate, but after the picture of the cupcake cut in half, I am downright smitten!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I knew you guys had to see that yummy fudgey center to know what a delicious recipe this was 🙂
Dixie n Dottie says
These look absolutely delish! I'm sure they helped with all of the tech. issues! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Cupcakes always help no matter what the problem is!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Oh man, I do not do well with technical issues... I had my share over the weekend when all of the WP sites were being attacked... A good host is a must! These cupcakes are seriously adorable! I love the piping and the fudgy center! Pinned!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Tech stuff and I just don't get along. I hope your site is ok after all that weekend stuff. I can't believe how many people were affected from it. Thank you for pinning!!!
Tanya says
What an ordeal Jocelyn!!! I'm not tech savvy either and if it makes you feel better, I am terrible about saving passwords! These cupcakes are awesome! Love the centers!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I started writing down all my passwords just for this very reason. It does help out...most times!!!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Oh no Jocelyn! I'm sorry about the server. BOO! Over the weekend I learned that if a PR or a media company is looking to hire you, if your site doesn't load in less than 10 seconds, they aren't hiring. That's my #1 priority now! You're going to love it after you switch!
These cupcakes rock!!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Well, that sure explains a lot to me then. I wondered why I wasn't hearing anything back from PR companies.
Sarah @ Miss CandiQuik says
The page loaded fast! :). I wish I knew more about all of that "stuff", too. Maybe you could bargain with these people - cupcakes for tech support. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
It is good to hear that the page is loading better now. I hope it stays that way...fingers and toes are crossed!!! I like how you think...I would bake all the cupcakes in the world for people to just help me do the tech stuff!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
I always have mini heart attacks when my blog is down! But dude, these cupcakes would definitely have me forget my woes.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I think my heart dropped out of my chest the day my site was down for so long! I needed some serious chocolate that day too!!!
Gloria @ Simply Gloria says
So funny, Jocelyn! Those kinds of phone calls are exhausting! This recipe is well deserved! Looks so pretty, too!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I agree with you...these phone calls wipe me out completely!!! At least all my woes make for a funny story huh?
Tieghan says
I feel you on the blog tech stuff!! Gosh is it such a pain!!1 Many tears have been shed. Many.
Mocha Fudge! Wow!! These look so so good!1 I love the center. wow!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I am sure many more tears are to come too...I better stay stocked in chocolate goodies huh? 🙂
Kim Beaulieu says
Oh you poor dear, nothing worse than dealing with support people sometimes. Luckily you have these gorgeous beauties to soften a bad day.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
The cupcakes did help out tremendously!!!
Carol says
Ugh. Sorry you've been through all of that. I spent way too much time this weekend migrating my work computer. Not fun at all and it's still not done! These look incredible as always!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I agree...not fun at all!!! I would much rather eat cupcakes than do techy stuff!!!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
OMG! Seriously, you sound how like my last few weeks have been. Trying to switch servers and doing the site manually! (I can't afford to pay anyone to do it) I have spent many a nights lately reading and trying to teach myself how to redesign a website. Not easy stuff. Can I come over for a cupcake? These look like they would do the trick!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I can't even imagine doing it all myself. I have to pay others to do these things because I seriously can't do it at all...not even after reading things 10 times!!! I would totally share cupcakes with you !!!
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos says
Gahhh...some website things are simple and some should definitely be left to the pros. I love coffee and I love cupcakes and I love that you put a spoonful of fudge in the middle of these beauties 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I am willing to leave all that techy stuff to the pros...it just tends to get expensive that way.
Kate says
Yuck! Dealing with tech support is one of my least favorite things to do! These cupcakes are so pretty, though! The frosting is just beautiful!! Also, your stay up to date section at the end of your post is such a great idea!! =)
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Kate! I agree, dealing with support is my least favorite part of blogging!
Maggie says
Ugh I hate when the person on the other end of the line makes you feel bad for something you don't know...but I hope the chocolate made you feel better! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
The chocolate definitely helped me feel much better about the meanie!!!
YinMom YangMom Allie says
I think you and I have a lot in common, lol! I am an absolute tech dummy. I can come up with content all day long, and I love the photography part, but the behind-the-scenes stuff paralyzes me with fear. I wish I could take a class or something! Well, congratulations on being Miss Popularity (you deserve it! ;)), and on those fabulous cupcakes! I'm seriously drooling!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
All this tech stuff is very paralyzing...it makes me want to eat chocolate all day long 🙂