J'Mocha Fudge Cupcakes

AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO WISHES THEY'D INVENTED SOMETHING FIRST? 

Like bottled water or Uber.  Something that everyone "needs" and I think, duh, why didn't I think of that first? That's how I feel about Starbucks and coffee.  How was it that for centuries people have been drinking the stuff, but in the last 50 years someone turned it into a billion dollar company and we all act like it's air and we need it to survive?!

Lucky for me, someone did pave that road and made way for these yummy cupcakes.  The cake itself comes from an old site that no longer appears to be updated, but she was there when blogs and cupcakes first exploded.  I found her cupcakes both beautiful and her flavors inspiring.  It's what really got my into baking in the first place.  Thanks to that passion I know present you with a perfect afternoon fix for the office's coffee addicts!

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

1-1/2 cups sugar

3 large eggs, room temperature

2 cups + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon dark roast coffee grounds

1/2 cup strong brewed, dark roast coffee

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons milk

PREPARATION

1. Beat butter on high until soft, about 30 seconds.

2. Add sugar. Beat on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

3. Add eggs one at a time, beating until incorporated.

4. Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and coffee grounds in a bowl.

5. Measure out coffee and milk together.

6. Add about a fourth of the flour to the butter/sugar mixture and beat to combine.

7. Add about one third the coffee/milk mixture and beat until combined.

8. Repeat above, alternating flour and coffee and ending with the flour mixture.

9. Scoop into cupcake papers about two-thirds to three-quarters full (depending on whether you want flat or domed cupcakes. Note that these cupcakes will shrink slightly when they cool).

10. Bake for 18 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

{Recipe via Cupcake Bakeshop}

INGREDIENTS

5 large egg whites

11/2 cup granulated sugar

4 sticks unsalted butter, diced and softened

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon vanilla

1/3 cup Trader Joe's fudge sauce

PREPARATION

1. Combine egg whites and sugar in a bowl placed over simmering water. Bring mixture to 150 degrees F while whisking constantly.

2. Transfer mixture to stand mixer bowl, fitted with a whisk attachment and beat on medium speed until mixture cools and doubles in volume.

3. Add butter in one piece at a time, mixing to incorporate after each addition. The mixture may appear clumpy and almost curdled looking-this is normal. Keep mixing and it will become even and smooth again. Add salt and vanilla and mix to combine. Add fudge sauce and mix to combine.