Step 1

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare 1 dozen large muffin tins with Paper Baking Cups (or two 9-inch rounds).

Step 2

Combine all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl and whisk until combined, set aside.

Step 3

Whisk together, eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla until well combined. Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and whisk, while slowly adding the coffee and rum to the batter and whisk until totally blended and smooth, about 2 minutes. The batter will be quite runny.

Step 4

Fill a measuring cup or pitcher with the batter and then fill the muffin cups about 3/4 full.

Step 5

Bake the devil's food cupcakes for about 18-20 minutes (about 25-30 for 9-inch rounds) or until a tester comes out clean.

Step 6

Allow to cool on a cake rack and then frost with cream cheese icing (recipe follows).

Step 7

Cream Cheese Icing: Combine all the ingredients in a medium sized bowl and cream together until smooth. I used a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip to decorate these devil's food cupcakes. You may want to double the icing recipe just in case you find yourself dipping into the bowl with a spoon!