In the South we have four seasons...Spring, Summer, Football, and Winter

When preparing for a weekend in the South it revolves around what time the football game comes on! And to prepare for the perfect football weekend you need tailgating food! Add something extra to your football Saturdays with these football cupcakes! And who can say no to chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate? You're bound to score a touchdown when you bring these cupcakes to your next football tailgate! :) I originally got this recipe from The Baker Chick off Pinterest.

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
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tins with cupcake liners!
2) Sift together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Add eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla, mix until smooth (about 3 minutes). If you don't have buttermilk you can substitute 1 cup of milk and 1 tbsp white vinegar or lemon juice, let stand for five minutes and then use as called for (I happened to not have buttermilk when I made these cupcakes)
3) Fill each muffin tin, each 2/3 full.
4) Bake about 20 minutes, rotating once half way through. Transfer to wire rack to cool.

Frosting
Ingredients
8 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
6 cups confectioners' sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter
6 tbsp milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. salt

Directions
1) Have all ingredients at room temperature.
2) Original recipe calls for a double boiler but you can use the microwave to melt the chocolate. Stir until melted and let cool to room temperature.
3) In a large bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, the 6 tbsp milk, vanilla, and salt and beat with an electric mixer on low until combined (about 1 minute). Increase speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes, then reduce to low.
4) Set aside 1/2 cup of the frosting to make for the laces.
5) Add the chocolate gradually and beat until combined, increase speed to medium and beat for a minute. If frosting is dry add more milk, 1 tsp. at a time until creamy but holds peaks.

Decorate the cooled cupcakes by using a star tip and zig-zag the chocolate frosting in a diamond shape. Using the reserved vanilla frosting and a small filler piping tip to add the laces.

Enjoy your football cupcakes with the game! Oh yeah and side note, ROLL TIDE!



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