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