1 pound sweet butter, room temperature

1 ½ C sugar

1 T vanilla extract

3 eggs

2 egg yolks

2 ½ C flour

1/2 t baking soda

1 t baking powder

1 t salt

1 C yogurt

Frosting

1cube butter, room temp.

1 square unsweetened chocolate (1 oz.)

1 C bittersweet morsels

1 t vanilla

1 pound powdered sugar

About ¼ C water or more as needed

Chocolate covered pretzels (optional)

For the cupcakes, heat the oven to 350.  Line two dozen cupcake pans with liners, set aside.  In a large bowl beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat the eggs and egg yolks in one at a time blending well, beat in the vanilla.  Add the dry ingredients to the bowl and mix on a low speed until just moistened.  Add the yogurt and beat on medium speed until the batter is smooth and glossy.  Stop at least once during the mixing process and using a spoon or spatula mix the batter to be sure all the butter sugar on the bottom of the bowl is incorporated.  Once mixed fill the lined cupcake pans with the batter about 2/3 full for each cupcake.  Place in the preheated oven and cook for 20-25 minutes or until cupcakes are golden and the centers spring back when touched.  Allow to cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting, place the softened butter in a large bowl.  Combine the unsweetened and bittersweet chocolate and melt in the microwave or on top of a double boiler.  Once the chocolate is melted add it to the butter, add the vanilla and beat to combine.  Add the full pound of powdered sugar to the bowl and beat on low speed to moisten the powdered sugar with the melted chocolate and butter.  Slowly add the water until the mixture begins to hold together and has a spreadable consistency.  Then turn the beater on high and bet until the frosting is smooth and shiny.  If you add too much water and the frosting is runny you can thicken it by adding more powdered sugar, however if you do that then you sweeten the frosting so it’s best to avoid this.

Frost the cooled cupcakes and garnish with chocolate covered pretzels if desired.  The birthday girl loves chocolate covered pretzels.

Makes 24 cupcakes.