Dr. Pepper Chocolate Cupcakes

Dr. Pepper Chocolate Cupcakes

Here's a decadent chocolate cake recipe to try out. I thought the taste of Dr. Pepper would be the big surprise but I didn't taste it at all. It made for really rich and dense chocolate cupcakes. The frosting is nice and fluffy. If you want to pipe it on, leave it in the fridge to harden up then set it out long enough that it's a good consistency for piping. Thanks to my friend Somer for always finding neat desserts to try out!

Dr Pepper Chocolate Cake

Submitted by Mindy ~ The Sisters Cafe

2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1 cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 cup Dr Pepper

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used milk chocolate once and they were great, too)

2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup canola oil

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans (or 9x13 or prepare cupcake liners).  Sift together the flour, sugar, brown sugar, cocoa and baking soda and set aside.  Heat the Dr Pepper in a small saucepan over low heat.  Add the chocolate chips and stir until melted.  Remove from heat.  With an electric mixer, beat the eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla for 2 minutes.  At lowest speed, slowly add the Dr Pepper mixture and beat for 1 additional minute.  Gradually add the dry ingredients and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.  Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool in pans for 15 minutes, then invert onto cooling racks, lift off pans and allow to cool completely before frosting.

Dr Pepper Frosting

3/4 cup butter flavored shortening - (I changed this to butter.  Personally I do not like shortening in frosting. Ever.)

6 Tablespoons butter, room temperature

4 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup cocoa

1/4 cup Dr Pepper (I added an additional 1-2 Tablespoons once, and I actually liked that better.  However it did make the frosting thinner...)

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter [and yucky shortening if you choose to use it - :)] until light and fluffy.  At low speed, gradually beat in the powdered sugar and cocoa.  Add the Dr Pepper and vanilla, and turn mixer to high speed until frosting is light and fluffy ~ about one minute.