Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting‏ by:Hannah

You will need:


2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 pound cheese cake filling or 1 pound regular cream cheese)- I like the cheese cake filling cause it's not as sweet, and has a creamier flavor-mo better!
No butter if using cheese cake mix- it's already inside (2 sticks butter if using regular cream cheese)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (or 4 cups if using regular cream cheese)
Chopped pecans and fresh raspberries or strawberries, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.

In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.

Garnish with chopped pecans and a fresh raspberry or strawberry, or sprinkle with red sugar sprinkles.

Total Cooking Time:
40 min
Prep Time:
20 min
Cooking time:
20 min

Cooking Level:
Easy

Yield 24 frosted cupcakes

Personal Comments: I like this very simple and decrative. Next time i'll try to cook the cup cakes with the feeling on the inside it was just to much for just on top plus the cake didn't have the flavor i was hoping for. I give it a 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars.