Preheat the oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Line the wells of two 12 count cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar, 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar, 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour, ¾ cup (72g) Dutch processed cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt
In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until completely combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, add the hot liquid, and whisk or stir the batter until everything is combined.
4 large eggs, ½ cup (109mL) vegetable oil, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 and ¼ cup (240mL) hot water or coffee1
Spoon batter evenly into the cupcake liners filling ½ to ⅔ of the way full (I like to use an ice cream scoop with a trigger-- one scoop full). Bake for 13-14 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
CHOCOLATE FUDGE FOOTBALL FROSTING
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsweetened baking chocolate and the butter. Allow to cool for 15 minutes.
In a medium bowl with a handheld mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine cooled chocolate/butter mixture, vanilla extract, and milk or cream (starting with 3 Tablespoons). Turn the mixer onto low and slowly add the powdered sugar. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat until completely combined, scraping down sides as needed. Add salt to taste.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3-4 Tablespoons (45-60mL) milk or cream, 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar, pinch of salt
VANILLA BUTTERCREAM LACES
In a medium size bowl, carefully stir together the butter and powdered sugar. It will take awhile for the mixture to come together and thicken up.
2 Tablespoons (29g) unsalted butter, ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
Add the milk or cream and stir until frosting is smooth.
½ Tablespoon (8mL) milk or cream
DECORATE THE CUPCAKES
Fill a piping bag fitted with a #21 tip with the chocolate frosting. Set aside.
Fill a piping bag fitted with a #3 tip with the vanilla frosting. Set aside.
Working with one cupcake at a time, hold the chocolate frosting bag with your dominant/decorating hand. Starting at the middle of the opposite side of the cupcake from your hand, use gentle pressure on the bag to create a tight zigzag pattern, gradually getting wider, with the widest part being at the middle of the cupcake. Continuing in a fluid motion, gradually make the zigzag smaller after you pass the middle zigzag until you reach the middle of the side of the cupcake closest to your hand. Release pressure.
Working with the vanilla buttercream, make a line across the center of the football you created with the chocolate frosting. Draw 4-5 perpendicular lines over the center line to create laces. Cupcakes can be enjoyed immediately. Store leftovers covered at room temperature up to 5 days. Undecorated cupcakes may be frozen, up to 2 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight and allow to come to room temperature before decorating.
Video
Notes
Hot water/coffee: I like to make this with hot decaf coffee. You can use water or part coffee/part water. It must be hot so the cocoa can bloom.
All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.