For Chocolate Cupcakes Mix malted milk powder into milk, stir well, and set aside.
Melt chocolate squares over double broiler or microwave until smooth, but do not "cook". Set aside.
Combine flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa in medium bowl and stir carefully whisk to break up any large clumps. Sifting probably isn't necessary, but you can, if you want. :)
In stand or electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well between each.
Add vanilla and cooled chocolate, and beat, again Alternately add dry ingredients and sour cream and malted milk, with mixer on low speed to combine, but not over mix.
For Vanilla Cupcakes Add malt powder to milk, stir well and set aside In stand or electric mixer beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well between each.
Add vanilla and beat, again.
Alternately add remaining dry ingredients with malted milk and sour cream, mixing on low until incorporated. Do not over mix.
For Strawberry Cupcakes Follow directions on box of cake mix, adding malt powder to the water, and mixing well to dissolve powder, then adding it to the dry ingredients as directed. Feel free to make a strawberry cake from scratch, if you want! :)
Baking instructions Fill paper lined cups 3/4 full(I fill them this full to get nice rounded tops, as we don't load ours with frosting, because we don't like it, so this still gives nicely shaped cakes :)
Bake at 350 for about 18 minutes. Let cool about 3-5 minutes in the pan, then remove to wire rack to cool completely. See Photo For Frosting Add malted milk powder to half and half, mix well, and set aside to dissolve.
In electric or stand mixer, whip butter until light and fluffy.
Add vanilla and mix, again.
Add sugar alternately with the malted half and half, scraping the bowl and beating well until desired taste and consistency.
Frost cooled cupcakes.
*to make chocolate frosting, just add a bit of fine cocoa powder to the half and half and malt, or melt a square or two of baking chocolate.(you may need a bit more sugar).
