My friend Michael Cyril Creighton and I go way back - back to the days when we dressed up as holiday characters together for our special editions of Best Night Ever at Vh1.  Ah, the good ol’ days.  But now we each have our own web series, and we thought it was about time for another collabo.  

Michael plays Jack in his creation, Jack in a Box, a hilarious show about the trials and tribulations of actor with a ‘tude, working in a box office selling tickets - and his soul. And Jack has vices.  Lots of them. Including cupcakes.  

So I decided to make the perfect cupcake full of vices in honor of my favorite comedic character.  Watch as I teach Michael how to make the perfect naughty treat:  Caffeine Cupcakes with cocoa, coffee and cola.  Watch the video and follow along with the recipe below! 

CAFFEINE CUPCAKES RECIPE:

Makes 18

• 2 Sticks + 2 TBSP Butter
• 3/4 C Cola (suggested: boylans) 
• 2 TBSP Instant Espresso
• 1 3/4 C. Flour
• 1/3 C. Dutch Process Cocoa Powder
• 1 TBSP Baking Powder
• 1/4 Tsp Baking Soda
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 1 1/2 C. organic cane sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten 
• 1/4 C. milk
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING 

• 2 sticks butter
• 1 lb confectioners sugar
• 1/2 C dutch process cocoa powder
• 3 TBSP cola 
• Sprinkles for topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cupcake tin with baking cups.  Set aside. 

In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, cola and instant espresso over low heat. Once the butter is melted, allow it to cool. Meanwhile, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a large bowl.  Add the sugar and whisk. 

In another bowl, combine the milk, eggs and vanilla.  

Add all the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, being careful not to over-stir.  Fill each of the baking cups 2/3 of the way with batter and bake for 25 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.  

Transfer them to a wire rack and allow them to cool. 

For the icing, beat all the ingredients together until light and fluffy.  Frost the cupcakes, and top with sprinkles.  

Enjoy!