Chocolate Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.25 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons grape jelly
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.25 cups butter , melted
• 0.33 cups half-and-half cream
• 0.75 cups packed brown sugar
• 0.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1.75 cups confectioners' sugar

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 15 muffin cups or line with paper baking cups.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, stir together the white sugar, flour, cocoa, and baking soda. Make a well in the center, and pour in the water, grape jelly, mayonnaise, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix just until blended. Spoon the batter into the prepared cups, dividing evenly.

3. 3

   Bake in the preheated oven until the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan set over a wire rack. When cool, arrange the cupcakes on a serving platter.

4. 4

   Make the frosting while the cupcakes cool. Combine the butter, half-and-half and brown sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and stir in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Set the pan over a bowl of ice water and whisk or beat with an electric mixer until fluffy. Frost cupcakes when they are completely cool.