Red Velvet Cupcakes

 

After going almost two months without posting, I'm finally back!  I've been very busy these past few months as most of you know.  I moved to Oregon for Pharmacy School and since school has started I've had no free time at all.  But after passing my first exam, I finally found some time to get back in the kitchen and bake just in time for a friends birthday.  I decided to make these yummy red velvet cupcakes for her and they definitely did not disappoint!



Cupcake Ingredients:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 egg
2 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk
1cup and 2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:
8 tablespoons butter at room temperature
4 oz cream cheese at room temperature
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 and line cupcake pan with liners.  In a large bowl cream butter and sugar together with an electric mixer.  Continue mixing and add the egg.  In a separate small bowl, mix the cocoa powder, vanilla and red food coloring together making a thick paste.  Add this mixture to the batter and mix until completely combined.  Add half of the buttermilk and half of the flour mixing in between.  Add the remaining milk and flour in the same manner.  Add the salt and baking soda and combine.  Finally add the vinegar.  Divide the batter evenly between 12 cupcake liners and bake for 20 minutes.

For the frosting, whip the butter and cream cheese in a medium bowl.  Slowly incorporate the powdered sugar.  Add the vanilla and mix for a few minutes until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.  Frost cupcakes once they have cooled.  Enjoy!