red velvet cupcakes.

Happy Friday! I hope you have some fun plans for the weekend! Our weekend will consist of blocking hotel rooms, working on save-the-dates, submitting our engagement picture to the paper, and registering at Target and Crate and Barrel. I'd also like to make these red velvet cupcakes, and use it as sort of a cake testing for the wedding.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Recipe from Paula Dean

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 pound cream cheese, softened
2 sticks butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
Chopped pecans and fresh raspberries or strawberries, for garnish

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers.
In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.
Garnish with chopped pecans and a fresh raspberry or strawberry.

Since my mom's making our wedding cake, I already know what her cakes taste like. But I'd like to try a new recipe and if it's good, I'll just have her practice a little before the wedding! I'll let you know how they turn out! And if you have any other great cake recipes send them my way!

Recipe by Paula Dean of the Food Network.