We are pleased to have Stacy from Fancy Shanty with us today to share this delectable recipe and display stand!  If you enjoy this project, be sure to stop by her blog and see what else she has been up to!

Looking for a quick and easy centerpiece decoration for your patriotic party this year? This sinfully moist Dark Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe will have the chocolate lovers in your life screaming for more. Pair this cupcake recipe with my easy hack on how to make store bought frosting better, along with my quick and easy Dollar Store Patriotic Cupcake Stand, and you’ll have a fun and festive patriotic centerpiece in no time.

 

Quick and Easy Patriotic Dark Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients:

For the Cupcakes

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons unsweetened dark chocolate cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup strong black coffee
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Patriotic cupcake wrapper and decorating kit

For the Frosting

• canned vanilla frosting (Not the whipped variety)
• 1 tbsp Pure Vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup confectioners sugar

Directions:

For the Cupcakes

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line two 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners; set aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or in a large bowl with an electric mixer, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix on low until dry ingredients are thoroughly combined.
3. Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for about two minutes; the batter will be thin.
4. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Transfer muffin tin to oven and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center cupcake comes out clean, 22 to 25 minutes.
5. Transfer muffin tins to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely.

For the Frosting

1. Place the store-bought frosting in a bowl and begin whipping with an electric mixer or stand mixer.
2. Add 1 tbsp Pure Vanilla extract.
3. Slowly add about 1/2 cup confectioners sugar and continue whipping until a spatula will stand upright when placed in the middle of the frosting. If the spatula falls to one side, continue adding more confectioners sugar in small increments until the spatula will stand upright. For a stronger key lime flavor, continue slowly adding 1 tbsp + 1/2 cup confectioners sugar to frosting then taste & check consistency.
4. Add one patriotic flag to each cupcake.
5. Display on Patriotic Cupcake Stand. (Instructions below)

Patriotic Cupcake Stand

Project estimate:

• Plastic goblet, $1
• Plastic veggie tray, $1
• Plastic plate, $1
• Glue, on hand

Total:  $3

Using a strong adhesive (I used E6000), adhere a Dollar Store blue plastic goblet upside down in the center of a red flower-shaped veggie dip tray. Let dry.

Once dry, adhere a red plastic plate to the top of the upside down blue plastic goblet. Let dry.