Irish Cream and Coffee Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 10 fluid ounces vegetable oil
• 8 fluid ounces buttermilk
• 8 fluid ounces brewed coffee, cooled
• 4 fluid ounces Irish Cream liqueur
• 2 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• • “Irish Coffee” Frosting Ingredients:
•  Chocolate-covered espresso beans, for garnish
• 1 cup softened butter
• 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 4 tablespoons Irish Cream Liqueur
• ½ teaspoon instant coffee powder combined with ½ teaspoon warm water (coffee “extract”)