Red Velvet Cupcakes

I have been wanting to make this for a while now but the steps was too challenging and complex...okay you bakers out there... shut up! If I can burn toast, I can burn anything ;) I may not be able to bake to save my life, at least I am still trying..

So, these steps are not too hard... I think!

Credits:
Recipe is from my friend Suz @ 
http://thesuzchef.blogspot.com.au/2011/12/elmo-red-velvet-cupcakes.html


Ingredients (for 12 normal sized cupcakes or about 30 baby cakes)

60g unsalted butter - at room temperature
150g caster sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
10g cocoa powder
20mL red food colouring
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
120mL buttermilk
150g plain flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon bicarb
1 1/2 teaspoon white wine vinegar

Frosting
300g icing sugar, sifted
50g unsalted butter - at room temperature
125g cream cheese

Ingredients

1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees Celsius and line a cupcake pan with cases.
2. Cream together the butter and the caster sugar until pale and fluffy.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the food colouring, cocoa and vanilla extract into a thick paste.
4. Add the paste to the butter and beat together until the colour is evenly mixed through, making sure to scrape down the sides.
5. On slow speed, add half the buttermilk and beat, and then add half the flour and beat for a minute or two.
6. Add the remainder of the buttermilk and flour and beat together until all combined.
7. Add the salt, bicarb and vinegar, turning up the speed and beating for a few minutes until the mixture is completely light and fluffy.
8. Spoon into the patty cases and bake for 22 minutes if normal sized cupcake and 15 for babycakes.
9. Allow the cupcakes to cool for a few minutes in the tin and then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely.
10. For the frosting, beat together the icing sugar and the butter for a few minutes. Add the cream cheese and beat on medium-high speed for a few minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.
11. When the cupcakes are cool, frost the cupcakes and enjoy

Jackie's tips: While I was waiting for my cupcakes to bake, I started beating the frosting. I filled the piping bag full of frosting and sat it in a tall cup, in the fridge for a few minutes.

And.....voila!!! Even my furkid wants one!