Step 1

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cupcake pan with paper liners.

Step 2

Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl and whisk together.

Step 3

Combine the egg, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla in another bowl and whisk together.

Step 4

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix using a stand mixer until combined.

Step 5

Add the hot water to the batter and mix again, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary, until combined. Batter will be thin.

Step 6

Fill cupcake liners only 1/2 full, then bake for 18-21 minutes, until the tops bounce back when you touch them with a finger or a toothpick comes out with only a few moist crumbs when used to test a cupcake.

Step 7

Cool completely before frosting.