red velvet. [red velvet cupcakes w. cream cheese frosting]

October 1st, 2010 by | comments

Tonight is my friend Jessica’s birthday party in LA, so I decided to bake her some cupcakes. Before I even started baking, my friend Heidi (Jess’ roommate) made sure that I was bringing some treats. I know I’ve baked a lot recently, but I promise to post some appetizers and meals very soon!

I decided to make Paula Deen’s red velvet cupcakes (made a few alterations), topped with cream cheese frosting and milk chocolate shavings. The cakes turned out moist and delicious. Fortunately, I read the comments on the Food Network website prior to baking. Numerous people suggested cutting back on the vegetable oil and adding more cocoa powder. Otherwise, I do not think the treats would have been as yummy.

As I’ve stated before, I am not an avid chocolate eater, so I had to rely on some other trusty sources to test the cupcakes—my brother and my dad. After I asked my dad to try one of the cupcakes, he stated that he wasn’t a big fan of red velvet. However, after he tried one small bite, he picked up the rest of the cupcake and finished it off. Glad I changed his opinion of red velvet desserts!

Recipe:

2 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 tbsp. cocoa powder

1 cup vegetable oil

1 cup buttermilk, room temperature

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 tbsp. (or more) red food coloring

1 tsp. white distilled vinegar

1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl, beat 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 14-16 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

Cream cheese frosting recipe:

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 tbsp. butter, melted

1 tsp. vanilla

3 cups confectioner’s sugar

Blend all ingredients together.

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