Monday, June 22, 2009

Red Velvet Cupcakes a la Martha


Happy Birthday to Lisa! Well, not quite yet, actually. But we did celebrate it last night since Lisa will be in Seattle for the actual day. One of Lisa's friends works at Martha Stewart and is a great cook. So, she took care of all the rest of the food which left dessert for me! Per usual.

Lisa is not a sweets person. She hates chocolate and really never craves anything sugary. She does, however, like red velvet cake. Don't tell her there is cocoa powder in it! Anyways, I used a Martha recipe for these red velvet cupcakes, that turned out great! I think the ones I made first were a bit better, but who doesn't love a red velvet cupcake of one kind or another, especially one with a butt-ton of frosting on it?!

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Martha Stewart

2 1/2 cups cake flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon red gel-paste food color
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin tin with paper liners.

Whisk together the cake flour, cocoa and salt.

In a separate bowl, combine the sugar and oil. Add eggs, one at a time, followed by the food coloring and vanilla.

Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture in slow batches, alternating with two additions of buttermilk.

Stir the baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl and add to batter, mixing well.

Divide batter among muffin cups and bake about 20 minutes.

Cream Cheese Frosting
Martha Stewart

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
4 cups confectioners' sugar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat butter and cream cheese together until fluffy. Add sugar and then vanilla, mixing until smooth. Spread over cupcakes and finish with red sprinkles if you so desire =)

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