Red Velvet cupcake recipe

Red velvet has been one of my favorite types of cake! I think it's the contrast of rich cocoa flavor combined with creamy cream cheese icing I always make these cupcakes around Christmas. Truthfully, I don't know why lol. It's probably just because it's cold enough out to bake and dark for too long in the evenings and I get bored. Either way, it's an awesome cake....you have to try it!

Red Velvet Cupcakes:

2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk
1/2 ounce red food coloring gel
2 teaspoons white vinegar

1. Heat oven to 350°. (I lined regular muffin tins with liners. For small tins I use cooking spray and flour to coat)
2. In a bowl combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa.
3. In a mixing bowl with electric mixer, cream the sugar and butter until light. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat well. Slowly beat in about one third of the flour mixture and about half of the buttermilk until well blended. Beat in another third of the flour mixture and the remaining buttermilk. Slowly beat in the remaining flour mixture. Beat in the food coloring and vinegar and continue beating until well blended.
4. Fill cupcake tins about 2/3 full. Bake for about 20 to 22 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean)
5. Cool on rack

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 package cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners' sugar

1. Combine all ingredients and beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
2. Spoon into pastry bag with star tip (I used a #21. I probably should have used a larger size though) Cover top of cupcake with a swirl.
3. Sprinkle with green colored sugar crystals for a cute holiday design!

Pretty simple, huh? I hope you like it as much as we do!
~L