Red Velvet Cupcakes

This recipe makes an 8-inch cake or 12 cupcakes! To start, preheat the oven to 350ºFGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Ingredients For Cupcakes

• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tspGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. baking soda
• 1/2 tspGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. dark cocoa
• 1/2 tspGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. salt
• 1/2 cup buttermilk 
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup oil
• 1/2 tspGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. vinegar
• 1/2 tspGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. vanilla extract
• 10 mlGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. (2 tspGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.) red food coloring 

Method

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cocoa and saltGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, sugar, buttermilk and vinegar until well combinedGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Add the mixtures together and mix thoroughlyGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Separately, combine the vanilla extract with the food coloring and add in lastGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Pour into your desired baking trayGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Bake 20 minutes for cupcakes or 35 minutes for a cakeGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Test the cake is done by inserting a toothpick or a knife in the center of the cakeGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. If it comes out clean, it’s ready!

Ingredients For Cream Cheese Frosting

• 250 grGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. butter
• 2 cups icing sugar 
• 2 tbspGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. vanilla extract
• 100 grGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. cream cheese

Method

Beat the butter on medium speed scraping the bowl frequently until light and fluffyGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. This could take up to 10 minutesGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Add the sugar at once and beat for a further 15 minutesGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Increase the speed, again, scraping the bowl frequentlyGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. When the mixture turns white, add the vanilla and cream cheese until well combinedGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Tips

• To make your own buttermilk, simply add a tablespoon of white vinegar to a cup of full fat milk and set aside for 15 minutesGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.
• Cut your cake in half horizontally to fill with the cream cheese frostingGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.
• Leave out the food coloring to see the original color of this well-known dessertGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. The reaction between the baking soda, vinegar and cocoa is what naturally gives this cake it’s reddish color, hence the name red velvet!

Enjoy, and be sure to tag so we can see your final product! See you next Tuesday, for what’s sure to be another delicious treat!