Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a muffin pan with liners.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until smooth.

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating between each addition.

Add the vanilla extract and mix.

Alternate the flour mixture and milk, beating between each addition, until all the ingredients have been added.

Fill each cupcake liner 2/3 of the way full of batter and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the chocolate buttercream by following the recipe linked in the ingredients listing. Pipe onto cupcakes.