Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

There is something elegant about red velvet cake and it really is a perfect Valentine's Day dessert to impress your significant other with.  This cake is so moist and when paired with the rich cream cheese frosting, it is absolutely divine!  Red velvet cake is not a chocolate cake but it does include some cocoa.  If you prefer a more chocolately taste, add another tablespoon of cocoa powder to the batter.  Delicious!

Ingredients:
Yields 18 cupcakes

• 1 c all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 
• 1/2 tsp baking soda 
• 1/4 tsp salt 
• 1/2 c butter, softened 
• 1 c white sugar 
• 2 large eggs 
• 1/2 c sour cream 
• 1/4 c buttermilk
• 1/2 oz red food coloring (optional - color will be brown without)
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract 
• Zest from 1 orange 
• Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  

Sift together the flour, baking soda, cocoa and salt in a medium bowl.  Beat together the butter and sugar, until light and fluffy.  Add in the eggs one at a time.  Add the sour cream, buttermilk, food coloring and vanilla.  

Gradually add the flour mixture until just blended.  Do not over beat.  

Pour the batter into cupcake papers 2/3 full.  Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.  Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes.  Remove and allow to cool completely before frosting.  

Frost the cupcakes and enjoy!

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Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1/2 c butter, softened 
• 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature 
• 1 1/2 c confectioners' sugar (may add up to 1/2 c more if sweeter frosting is desired)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 
• 1/4 tsp lemon juice

Directions:


Beat together the butter and cream cheese.  Slowly beat in the confectioners' sugar on low speed, until creamy.  Beat in the vanilla and lemon juice.

Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.