Gluten-Free Black and White Cupcakes - Recipe

for the cupcakes:
1 cup salted butter, softened
1 cup water
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups sugar
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. GF pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups GF all-purpose flour (see bottom of the page for recipe)
2 tsp. xanthan gum
1 1/2 tsp. GF baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. GF baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Heat butter, water and cocoa over medium heat in a saucepan until the butter is melted. Put the sugar in a mixing bowl, all the butter mixture and beat at low speed for about 5 minuets, until the mixture is cool. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing to incorporate after each addition. Add the sour cream and vanilla. Mix to incorporate, scraping down the sides of the bowl if needed. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda and salt and mix with a whisk to 'sift' the ingredients and break up any lumps. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the large mixing bowl and beat for 10-15 seconds on medium speed to incorporate. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat for an additional 5-10 seconds at high speed until the batter is well mixed and smooth. Spoon about 1/4 cup of batter into each well of a muffin tin lined with baking cups. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Rotate the pan in the oven and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and cool for 10 minutes. Remove cupcakes from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

for the frosting:
1 cup salted butter, softened
4 cups icing sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tsp. GF pure vanilla extract

2. Cream together all ingredients in a large bowl or electric stand mixer. Beat until light and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add additional cream, one teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Frost each cupcake with a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip. Sprinkle the top of each cupcake with chocolate sprinkles or mini chocolate chips, if desired.

Makes approximately 24 cupcakes