Pinkies chocolate lunch box treats

Ingredients

• 1½ cups cake flour (not self-rising)
• 2 cups sugar
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 cup hot freshly brewed coffee
• 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• ½ cup canola oil
• ½ cup sour cream, at room temperature
• 1 recipe Coconut Buttercream

• 4 cups sweetened flaked coconut
• Powdered food coloring

1. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 18 cupcake cups with paper liners.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large mixing bowl, using a handheld mixer), combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Let the mixer run on low speed for 2 to 3 minutes to aerate the flour.
3. Meanwhile, put the chocolate in a medium bowl and pour in the hot coffee and vanilla. Let the mixture stand for about 2 minutes to melt the chocolate, then stir until smooth.
4. In another medium bowl, whisk the eggs and oil together until thick, satiny, and light in color. Whisk in the sour cream, being careful not to overmix; leave some visible streaks of white. Pour in the melted chocolate mixture and mix until just combined.
5. Add the chocolate–sour cream mixture to the dry ingredients in thirds, mixing on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes, until just combined.
6. Remove the bowl from the mixer and, using a rubber spatula, incorporate any ingredients hiding at the bottom of the bowl, making sure the batter is completely mixed. The batter will be very runny, so it’s best to transfer it to a large liquid measuring cup to make it easier to pour.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared cupcake cups, filling each one about two-thirds full. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a cake tester inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Let cool for at least 20 minutes. Once the cupcakes are cool, remove them from the paper liners.
To Assemble the Cupcakes
8. Use an apple corer or a paring knife to scoop out a hole in the middle of each cupcake, about 1 inch deep. (The extra cake is yours for the snacking!)
9. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a ½-inch or larger tip with the frosting and fill the holes in each cupcake with frosting. Arrange the cupcakes on a baking sheet lined with parchment or foil and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to set the frosting.
To make the Tinted Coconut
10. Put the coconut in a Mason jar or a zip-top plastic bag. Add a few pinches of food coloring, one at a time, and shake until the coconut is evenly colored.
11. Once the frosting in the centers of the cupcakes sets, frost the tops and sides of the cupcakes with the remaining frosting. Put the coconut in a small bowl, roll the frosted cupcakes in the coconut, and place them in cupcake papers. The cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.