Red Velvet Cupcakes

Original Recipe found here.

Its been awhile since I have posted, for that I apologize!  Things have been busy and I have not had to time to edit photos and write up postings!  Here are the cupcakes I made for Valentines Day! (Yes, even though I haven't been posting, I am still cooking all the time!!)  To be honest, I haven't yet tried the cupcakes in their entirety.  I had some of the cake without the frosting. Tomorrow I will be taking them to work and I'll let you know how many minuted go by before they are all gone! =)

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

1 cup buttermilk, room temperature

2 large eggs, room temperature

2 tablespoons red food coloring (if using the liquid, if not 1 tablespoon will be fine!)

1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 12 cup muffin pans with cupcake papers.  You will get 2 batches out of this recipe.  You can also use as a cake recipe.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a mixer.  The recipe suggested a hand-held, but I used my stand 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 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting. 

Frost with cream cheese frosting recipe, found here.