Best Birthday Cupcakes...really

I think the combo of a yellow cake with chocolate frosting is one of my favorites and this one was seriously the best I've ever had.

1 package plain butter recipe golden mix
1 8oz package cream cheese (reduced fat works)
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C water
1/2 C veg. oil
4 large eggs
1 T vanilla extract
Chocolate syrup frosting and sprinkles to decorate

1)Heat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients in mixing bowl on low for 30 seconds. Scrape sides, blend on medium for 2 minutes.
2) Spoon 1/4 C batter into 24 paper liners
3) Bake for 24-27 min (my oven is hot so it's always a little less, keep an eye on them so they don't get too brown.
4) Let cool before frosting

Chocolate Syrup Frosting (it's totally worth it to make it from scratch and not use any old tub of chocolate frosting)
8 T (1 stick) butter
1/2 C unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 C chocolate syrup (I used hersheys)
3 C confectioner's sugar SIFTED (I just learned what that meant and it made such a difference)
1 T milk
1 t pure vanilla extract

1) Put butter, cocoa, chocolate syrup in large bowl. Blend with electric mixer on low until just combined (30 sec). Stop the machine and add sugar, milk and vanilla. Blend on low until sugar is incorporated. (1min)
2) Increase speed to medium and beat till light and fluffy. Frost cupcakes.

Notes- I used my kitchenaid for both the cake mix and the frosting. Since the frosting has syrup in it, it was too runny to pipe it on, so I just used a cupcake spatula to frost it on.