The sinfully sweet dessert devil's food cupcakes feature a rich chocolate taste suited for a Valentine's Day treat.  The cupcakes consist of a chocolate cake accentuated with flavoring from coffee and topped with a frosting such as a chocolate buttercream.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ats8u8vVuQ

Using a technique often used in baking called creaming, devil's food cupcakes are prepared by first mixing the butter and sugar until fluffy.  The eggs are added, as are other ingredients like coffee, cocoa powder and flour, to create the batter.  The batter is placed into cupcake tins and baked.  To finish the dessert, frosting can be spread or piped over the top.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ats8u8vVuQ

• 10 tablespoons butter, softened
  
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/4 cups cake flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 whole eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup coffee
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Stand or hand mixer with paddle attachment
  
• Large mixing bowl
• Sifter or wire mesh strainer
• Small mixing bowl
• Rubber scraper
• Spoon, ladle or ice cream scoop
• Toothpickshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ats8u8vVuQ

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Place the cupcake liners in the cupcake of muffin tins.
   
2. Place the butter in the mixing bowl of the stand mixer.  Mix over low speed while gradually adding in the sugar.  Continue to blend, creaming the mixture until smooth and airy.
3. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt using the sifter or wire mesh strainer and placing the mixture in the large mixing bowl.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, to the butter mixture in the stand mixer on medium speed.  Allow each egg to be incorporated before adding the next.
5. Combine the remaining wet ingredients of buttermilk, coffee and vanilla extract in the small mixing bowl.
6. Add one-third of the dry ingredients to the butter-egg mixture.  Beat slowly just until combined.  Follow with one half of the remaining wet ingredients and mix until combined.  
7. Continue the process, adding in the second third of the dry ingredients, mixing, adding in the rest of the remaining wet ingredients, mixing, adding in the final third of the dry ingredients and mixing.  Use the rubber scraper to mix in any stray dry ingredients from the sides or bottom of the bowl.
8. Spoon the batter into the lined cupcake tins using the spoon, ladle or ice cream scoop.  Fill each about two-thirds full.
9. Bake for 15-20 minutes in the pre-heated oven.  Check the cupcakes after 15 minutes with the toothpick.  Insert the pick into the center of the cake and if it comes out clean or only with a few crumbs, the cakes are done.
10. Allow to cool completely, then frost using the frosting of your choice.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ats8u8vVuQ