Red Velvet Cupcakes

Hello everyone! I know I’ve been missing in action lately. I had every intention of blogging my Christmas goodies prior to Christmas. But alas, the week before Christmas I came down with the worst cold I have had in years. So I was lucky enough to get through the holiday and get my Christmas goodie boxes out to the family and friends. I just didn’t have the energy to blog afterwards. Here are my red velvet cupcakes with white chocolate cream cheese frosting. They came out really well considering it felt like everything I baked or cooked this Christmas was on autopilot due to all the cold medicine I had flowing through me. This recipe makes 30 cupcakes.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 ounce bottle of red food coloring
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar

FROSTING INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 package (6oz total) Baker’s White Chocolate bars
• 1 package (8oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened and cut into pieces
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 3 cup powdered sugar

CUPCAKE DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 f degrees. Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Set aside.
2. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix in sour cream, milk, food color, vanilla and vinegar. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until just blended. Do not overbeat. Spoon batter into 30 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full. 
3. Bake 18-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 5 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.

FROSTING DIRECTIONS:

1. Melt chocolate according to package directions.
2. Beat cream cheese and butter in large mixing bowl for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
3. Add melted chocolate, vanilla extract, lemon juice and powdered sugar. Beat for another 2 minutes.
4. Pipe onto cupcakes and garnish with sprinkles of your choice.