Ingredients

The Cupcakes

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup boiling water
2 tablespoons instant-espresso powder
1/4 cup Miceli's Ricotta Cheese
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
2 large eggs

The Frosting

1 cup Miceli's Mascarpone Cheese
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon whiskey
Instant-espresso powder, for dusting

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make the cupcakes: Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Pour water over espresso powder; let cool. Combine espresso with Miceli's Ricotta. Beat butter and granulated and brown sugars with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in flour mixture 3/4 cup at a time, alternating with espresso-milk mixture, beginning and ending with flour (batter may look broken).

Fill 6 cup giant muffin tins, three-quarters full. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes. Let cool; turn out cupcakes from tins.

Make the frosting: Whisk together mascarpone and confectioners' sugar until medium peaks form. Add whiskey; whisk until slightly stiff peaks form.

Top each cupcake with 2 tablespoons frosting; dust with espresso powder.