Red velvet cupcakes

Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com.

Ingredients (Cupcakes)

• 2 ½ cups flour
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• ½ cup milk
• 1 ounce bottle of red food coloring
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Makes about 30 cupcakes.

Ingredients (Frosting)

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup butter
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 16 ounces confectioner’s sugar

Instructions (Cupcakes)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy (about five minutes). Mix in sour cream, milk, vanilla and food coloring.
4. With the mixer on low, gradually add in the flour mixture until combined. Scoop batter into 30 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup ⅔ of the way full.
5. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cupcake comes out clean. Cool for five minutes and frost.

Instructions (Frosting)

1. (For the frosting) Beat cream cheese, butter, sour cream and vanilla in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioner’s sugar until smooth.

Audrey’s Take

Decorate your cupcakes for the Valentine’s Day festivities: heart-shaped sprinkles or a chocolate drizzle adds style to the dessert.