Red velvet cupcakes recipe

Red velvet cake is a light cocoa cake, made red by red edible food coloring with white cream cheese frosting. This recipe comes from Magnolia Bakery and I had amended some ingredients in it. I prefer light and less sweet frosting because the cake is already sweet. 

I used to fancy Valentine's Day, and am always looking for something romantic for him... but I think (heheheh) I'm gonna bake this for him next Valentine's Day. It's red and white frosting seem effortless. It has an elegant look. Use your own imagination to decorate your cake (roses on top of the cake or rose-shaped frosting etc).. make it presentable.

This is the second time I baked the red velvet cake. The creamy chocolaty taste has been driving me crazy and I can't stop promoting the recipe to my close friends... heheh (smug face again). One thing I know, you won't go wrong with passionate red which is often associated with joy, blessing, determination and energy.  

Recipe adapted from me + Magnolia Bakery 

Ingredients :

Cake :

3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 1/4 cups fine sugar
3 large eggs
3 tbsp red food coloring
4 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1 1/2 cups plain yogurt + 2 tbsp fresh milk
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cider vinegar or white vinegar
1 tsp baking soda

Baking Temperature : 170 C
Baking Time : 20-25 minutes

Method :
1. Preheat oven at 170 C.
2. Mix butter and sugar in a mixer until very light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg one at a time.
4. In a separate bowl whisk red food color, cocoa powder and vanilla essence. Add in to the batter and beat well (do not over beat).
5. In small cup, stir buttermilk and salt together and add in to the batter in 2 parts alternating with the flour. Beat well until the ingredients are incorporated.
6. In a small bowl mix vinegar and baking soda together and add in the batter. Mix well.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Cream cheese :
125 gm cream cheese
50 gm unsalted butter
110 gm ising sugar (I reduced sugar to 80 gm)
1 cup fresh cream or double cream, whipped until stiff

Method :
1. Beat cream cheese with butter in a mixture until soft.
2. Turn mixer to low speed, add powdered sugar a little at a time. Whisk until well blended.
3. Add whipped cream, stir through with a spatula.