Red Velvet Cupcakes with Red Velvet Frosting

What could be more welcome than Red Velvet Cupcakes for Valentine Day. Rich chocolate cake with creamy frosting - perfect.

These are wonderful for sharing with friends and neighbors.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Red Velvet Frosting
15 cupcakes
print recipe

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup buttermilk, shaken
1 tablespoon liquid red food coloring
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
Red Velvet Frosting (recipe follows)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tins with paper liners.

In a small bowl, sift together the flour cocoa powder, baking, powder, baking soda, and alt. In a large measuring cup, combine the buttermilk, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar o medium speed for 1 minute, until light. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until combined. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients alternately in 3 parts, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, and mix until combined. Stir with a rubber spatula to be sure batter is mixed.

Scoop the batter into the muffin cups with a 1 1/4-inch ice cream scoop or large spoon. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centers come out clean. Cool completely in the pans and frost with Red Velvet Frosting.

Red Velvet Frosting
for 15 cupcakes

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (3/4 pound)

Place cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, and mix on medium speed just until combined. DON'T WHIP. Add the sugar and mix until smooth.