Chocolate mint cupcakes with chocolate buttercream frosting for my Sweetie !!

Ingredients:

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

3/4 cup warm water

3/4 cup buttermilk

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with liners; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, sift together cocoa, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla; mix batter until smooth, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl to assure batter is well mixed.



Divide batter evenly among liners, filling each about one-third full. Bake until tops spring back when touched, about 20 minutes, rotating pan once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.



Frosting ingredients:

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

1 tea. vanilla extract

1/4 cup cocoa powder



Directions:

Add the butter to a mixer bowl and beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 min.  Sift the powdered sugar and cocoa powder together.  Add the powdered sugar mixture slowly to the butter while mixer is on slow. Mix till light and fluffy again, about 5 min.  Add the vanilla and beat 1 more min. until incorporated.