Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

I decided to have a Valentine's day themed party for friends. It gave me an excuse to make an abundance of delicious baked goods and to have my friends get together on a Sunday afternoon! I displayed all of the desserts on one table and made little signs that said what each dessert was. I knew I had to make red velvet cupcakes because of their festive red color and because they are a favorite among my friends. You can never go wrong with red velvet cupcakes, especially when they are topped with a swirl of cream cheese frosting!

RED VELVET CUPCAKES

printable recipe

6 ounces butter

2 cups sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 large eggs

2 to 3 tbsp. red food coloring gel

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

3 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cream butter and sugar until smooth.

Add vanilla and eggs. Add red food coloring until desired red color is achieved.

In a separate bowl combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.

Add flour mixture to butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk, until just combined.

Line pan with cupcake liners and fill 2/3 full with batter.

Bake 15 minutes.

Transfer to cooling rack and allow cupcakes to cool to room temperature before decorating.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

8 ounces softened cream cheese

8 tbsp. butter

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

2-3 cups sifted powdered sugar 

Cream butter, vanilla, and cream cheese until fluffy.

Gradually sift in the powdered sugar, adding until desired sweetness is achieved.

Pipe onto completed cupcakes.

Garnish cupcakes with fresh raspberry and sprinkles.

Yields 12 frosted cupcakes.

Recipe adapted from Celebrating Cupcakes and Muffins

Enjoy!