Chocolate Mocha Cupcakes with Espresso Buttercream

Ingredients

• 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup whole milk
• ½ cup strong brewed coffee
• 1½ teaspoons espresso powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2½ cups powdered sugar
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp half & half or heavy cream
• pinch of salt