Red, White & Blue Chocolate Cupcakes

Red, White & Blue Chocolate Cupcakes

Yield: About 2 1/2 dozen cupcakes

2 c Sugar
1 3/4 c All-purpose flour
3/4 c Hershey's cocoa or Hershey's European style cocoa
1 1/2 ts Baking powder
1 1/2 ts Baking soda
1 ts Salt
2 Eggs
1 c Milk
1/2 c Vegetable oil
2 ts Vanilla extract
1 c Boiling water
Vanilla buttercream frosting (recipe below)
Fresh blueberries and strawberries

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups.

 In large bowl, stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of electric mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter.

Bake 22 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely.

4. Prepare VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING; frost cupcakes. Garnish with blueberries and strawberries.

VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:
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In medium bowl, beat 5 tablespoons softened butter or margarine until creamy. Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, beating until of spreading consistency. About 2 cups frosting.