Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

For our culinary project, I decided to do something that I know the best which is baking. I decided to make Red Velvet Cupcakes, the recipe isn't mine.  I got the recipe from food network.com, it is from Paula Deen.  I chose this recipe because it's very close to my heart.  The first time I made this recipe it was for my boyfriend's birthday but it also was the first time I was meeting his family and friends.  I wanted to make something that was different from regular chocolate or vanilla cupcakes so I made Red Velvet Cupcakes.  I must of done a good job in making these cupcakes because they were a hit with his family and friends.  I have to say that I feel as if I won them over with these cupcakes.

The recipe goes as follow...

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
• 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 pound cream cheese, softened
• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• Chopped pecans and fresh raspberries or strawberries, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers.

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 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 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.

Grab a nice cold of milk and a cupcake .... Enjoy!