For Cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt until combined. Set aside.
4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine eggs, sugars, oil and vanilla on medium-low speed until well combined.
5. Add half the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, followed by half of the buttermilk. Repeat with the other half of the dry ingredients and buttermilk, scraping down the sides of bowl as needed.
6. Do not over mix.
7. Add hot espresso and mix on low speed until just combined.
8. Batter will not be too thick.
9. Evenly distribute batter between the cupcake liners, filling no more than 2/3rds full.
10. Bake 16-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with few crumbs remaining.
11. Remove the pan from oven and cool cupcakes in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool completely before frosting.

For Salted Caramel

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
2. Add brown sugar and stir to combine.
3. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Mixture will thicken.
4. Add heavy cream, vanilla and salt and stir to combine completely.
5. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before transferring to a bowl or jar to cool to room temperature.

For Salted Caramel Buttercream

1. In the bowl of stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on medium-high speed for 1 minute.
2. Reduce speed to low and add confectioner’s sugar mixing until combined.
3. Increase speed to medium-high and mix until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
4. Stop mixer and add salted caramel. Whip on medium speed to combine and then increase speed to high and mix for 3-4 minutes until buttercream is light and fluffy.
5. If buttercream is too thick, add 1-2 TBSP whole milk. If too thin, add more confectioner’s sugar.
6. Pipe buttercream onto cooled cupcakes and top with a drizzle of remaining salted buttercream. Top with chocolate shavings if desired.