Step #1 For cake, preheat your trusty oven to 350 degrees F.
Step #2 Spritz ccake pans with nonstick baking spray or line with ccake papers.
Step #3 Place cocoa in a small bowl.
Step #4 Add water, slowly stirring, until well mixed & smooth.
Step #5 Set aside until lukewarm.
Step #6 In a small bowl, mix flour, baking soda & salt.
Step #7 In medium bowl, cream butter & sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy.
Step #8 Beat in eggs, one at a time.
Step #9 Add the cooled chocolate mixture all at once, add vanilla & stir well.
Step #10 Add the flour mixture all at once & stir with a wooden spoon until smooth & patches of white disappear.
Step #11 Do not overmix.
Step #12 Using a measuring c, dip out the batter & place this in the ccake pans; the ccake pans should be about 3/4 full.
Step #13 Bake for 15 mins or until a cake tester or toothpick comes clean when poked into the cakes.
Step #14 When cooled, frost with mocha frosting (recipe below).
Step #15 Makes about 18 2 1/2 inch ccakes.
Step #16 For frosting, remove lumps from both sugar & cocoa by placing the measured ingredients into a sieve set over a bowl; push & rub with the back of a spoon or rubber spatula.
Step #17 Using an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth.
Step #18 Add the vanilla & salt.
Step #19 Add the sugar all at once & mix until almost mixed.
Step #20 Beat in as much of the coffee as needed to make a smooth, spreadable frosting.
Step #21 Makes 1 3/4 c or enough to frost 18 ccakes generously.
Step #22 Tip: If the ccakes are going into a lunchbox or picnic basket, cut them in half, sandwich the frosting in the middle & wrap in wax paper or plastic wrap.
Enjoy the Red Devil's Food Cupcakes With Mocha Cocoa Frosting recipe