Holidays have had me eating NONSTOP. I feel like a balloon that's about to explode with delicious food. I'm going to start Atkins on Monday. For those of you who are not familiar with it, Atkins is a high lean protein, low carb diet.
But today red velvet cup cakes. Who doesn't love red velvet cup cakes? Yummmmmmmmmm!!!!!! I found a great recipe for a red velvet cake and frosting from Fine Cooking. Although this recipe is for a cake you can easily use it for cup cakes.
For the cup cakes
2 sticks (1 cup) at room temperature
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 (1-lb.) box light brown sugar (about 2-1/4 cups)
3 Tbs. red food coloring
2-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1-3/4 cups buttermilk
2 sticks (1 cup) at room temperature
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 (1-lb.) box light brown sugar (about 2-1/4 cups)
3 Tbs. red food coloring
2-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1-3/4 cups buttermilk
1 package of baking cups
For the frosting
1-1/4 lb. cream cheese, at room temperature
2-1/2 sticks (1-1/4 cups) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 (2-lb.) bag confectioners’ sugar (about 7-1/4 cups)
1-1/4 lb. cream cheese, at room temperature
2-1/2 sticks (1-1/4 cups) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 (2-lb.) bag confectioners’ sugar (about 7-1/4 cups)
Cup cakes
Heat the oven to 350°F. Put baking cups in cup cake baking tray and set aside
Sift 3 cups of flour with the cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in large bow and set aside.
I used a hand mixer, a large bowl and my boyfriend. If you have a stand mixer USE IT!
Cream the butter with the brown sugar, food coloring, and vanilla on low to combine.
Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat until aerated and pale, about 2 minutes.
Reduce the speed to medium and add the eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly between each addition and using a rubber spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary.
Reduce the speed to low and add one-third of the dry sifted ingredients followed by half of the buttermilk.
Repeat, finishing with the final third of the dry mix.
Should look like this
Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl and spoon the batter in each baking cup about 2/3 of the way up, leaving room for it to rise. Should be enough for 24 cup cakes.
Bake for approximately 25 minutes. Half way through, turn the tray around. Keep an eye on them though. You can test when a cake is done by sticking a toothpick in, if it comes out clean they should be done.
To make the frosting
Beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together in a bowl on low speed to combine using a hand mixer or a stand mixer.
Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until aerated and light, about 2 minutes.
Stop the mixer and add a few cups of the confectioners’ sugar, incorporating it into the cream cheese mixture on low speed until combined.
Repeat with the remaining sugar, adding it to the mixer in two additions.
Once all of the sugar is added, increase the speed to medium-high and beat until fluffy, about 1 minute.
This frosting came out soooooooo good! It was like red velvet cup cake with cheesecake topping!!
Although I didn't get to take a pic, it turned out pretty much like this
Beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together in a bowl on low speed to combine using a hand mixer or a stand mixer.
Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until aerated and light, about 2 minutes.
Stop the mixer and add a few cups of the confectioners’ sugar, incorporating it into the cream cheese mixture on low speed until combined.
Repeat with the remaining sugar, adding it to the mixer in two additions.
Once all of the sugar is added, increase the speed to medium-high and beat until fluffy, about 1 minute.
This frosting came out soooooooo good! It was like red velvet cup cake with cheesecake topping!!
Although I didn't get to take a pic, it turned out pretty much like this
They came out incredible! And on this note (and some more leftovers with my family tonight) I start Atkins!!
