Chocolate Cupcakes

At first my 4 year old granddaughter declared that these cupcakes were "too pretty to eat", but she quickly changed her mind after "one little taste"!

Chocolate Cupcakes

1 2/3 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon white vinegar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with 12 paper or foil liners.  In a small bowl combine flour, brown sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt.  Add water, oil, vinegar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Fill the muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Frost with chocolate frosting when cool. 

Chocolate Frosting

3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons cocoa
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1-2 tablespoons milk

Cream butter, cocoa, corn syrup and vanilla in a small mixer bowl. Add confectioners' sugar and milk; beat to spreading consistency.