Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

It was my birthday on Thursday and I knew I would want something sweet to celebrate the occasion. I decided it was the perfect opportunity to bake from scratch for the first time. It was obviously more challenging than using a box but I think it was worth the extra time and effort. These were delicious and the perfect present to myself.

Makes 24 cupcakes

Adapted from: http://www.annies-eats.com/

Ingredients for Cupcakes:

2 1/2 Cups Flour
1 1/2 Cup Sugar
1 Tsp Baking Soda
1 Tbsp Cocoa Power
1 Tsp Salt
2 Eggs
1 1/2 Vegetable Oil
1 Cup Buttermilk
2 Tbsp (1oz container) Liquid Red Food Coloring
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Tsp Distilled White Vinegar

Ingredients for Frosting:
8oz Cream Cheese- Softened
5 Tbsp Unsalted Butter - Softened
2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
2 1/2 Cups Confectioners Sugar - Sifted

Begin by lining a cupcake pan with paper liners or tins. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Next mix all of the wet ingredients together in an electric mixing bowl (eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, food coloring, vanilla and vinegar.) Afterwards, mix all of the dry ingredients together in a separate mixing bowl (flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder and salt.)

Beat the wet ingredients on a medium speed until well blended. Combine the dry ingredients to the wet mixture little by little on a low speed. Beat until smooth on medium, about 2 minutes.

Pour the batter evenly into the cupcake pans. Bake the cupcakes for 18 minutes. Halfway through the baking process rotate the pans. Insert a toothpick into the center of the cupcake, when they are done the toothpick will come out clean.

Let them cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes and then remove them and allow them to cool completely on a wire baking rack. While they are cooking or cooling you can begin making the frosting.

Combine the softened cream cheese and butter together with the vanilla in the electric mixing bowl. Beat on a medium speed until they are smooth and well combined at least 2-3 minutes. Gradually beat in the sifted powdered sugar a little bit at a time. Once all the sugar has been incorporated beat the frosting on high for 2 minutes. Once the cupcakes have been completely cooled you can begin to frost them.

Enjoy!!- Nicole