Red Velvet Cupcakes
Ingredients:
For the Cupcakes:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
½ cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon red food coloring (gel or liquid)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon white vinegar
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar (confectioners' sugar)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions:
For the Cupcakes:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt.
Mix wet ingredients: In a separate large bowl, beat together the egg, buttermilk, oil, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar until well combined.
Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until smooth and just combined. Do not overmix.
Fill the cupcake liners: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 of the way full.
Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
Cool: Let the cupcakes cool in the tin for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
Beat the cream cheese and butter: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
Add powdered sugar: Gradually add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
Finish the frosting: Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, and continue to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
To Assemble:
Frost the cupcakes: Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, use a piping bag or a spatula to generously frost each cupcake with the cream cheese frosting.
Optional Garnish: You can sprinkle a little extra cocoa powder, cake crumbs, or even red velvet cake decorations on top.
Enjoy your delicious red velvet cupcakes!