Red Velvet Cupcake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Cupcakes are cute, but these red velvet cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting also look elegant. A basic but delicious cream cheese frosting that tops these great little cupcakes is a unique variation from regular sweet, sugary cupcakes frosting. They are great for birthday parties, gifts, or just a special dessert after your regular family dinner.
Feel free to use purchased frosting for the cupcakes if you are pressed for time. The recipe yields 20 to 24 cupcakes, and requires 22 minutes of preparation time plus 22 minutes of cooking time.
Ingredients:
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
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Cream Cheese Frosting
1 package light cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
Preparation:
Line muffin pans with cupcake papers. Heat oven to 350°.
In a bowl combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa.
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.
Fill lined cupcake tins about 2/3 full. Bake for about 20 to 22 minutes, or until the cakes bounce back when lightly touched with a finger.
Cool on racks before frosting.
For the frosting, combine frosting ingredients and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy.