Red Velvet Cupcakes


Happy Valentine's Day Friends!

Do any of you have any fun plans tonight?  Surprises today?  Do tell!

I wanted to post a sweet little treat today in honor of the holiday.  I guest posted this very recipe over at Laura's blog a week ago and thought this was too cute to pass up sharing with all of you!


For me, Valentine's Day is all about everything red, pink and sweet!  Cupcakes are one of my favorite desserts, so I thought these red velvet cupcakes would hit the spot!  

I love the combination of the chocolate cupcake with the savory cream cheese frosting.  I don't make my frosting too sweet so that they're not overly rich.  I thought these turned out perfectly...and how festive are these for Valentine's Day?

Red Velvet Cupcakes
{Barefoot Contessa's How Easy is That?}

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk, shaken
  • 1 tablespoon liquid red food coloring
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
  • Red Velvet Frosting, recipe follows
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tins with paper liners.
In a small bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large measuring cup, combine the buttermilk, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed for 1 minute, until light. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until combined. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients alternately in 3 parts, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, and mix until combined. Stir with a rubber spatula to be sure the batter is mixed.
Scoop the batter into the muffin cups with a 2 1/4-inch ice cream scoop or large spoon. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. Cool completely in the pans and frost the cupcakes with Red Velvet Frosting.

Red Velvet Frosting:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 1/2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (3/4 pound)
  • A couple drops of pink food coloring
Place the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, and mix on medium speed just until combined. Don't whip! Add the sugar and mix until smooth. 


 Add a little heart or "lovebug" to make it that much more festive!  :)

I hope you all have a great Valentine's Day!

xo natasha

Linked to: Tasty Tuesdays 

P.S. I am beyond thrilled and honored to be a contributor over at Minted today!  I'm talking about taking your office look to date night on Valentine's Day!  Check it out here!


41 comments :

  1. Yum- such a delicious looking recipe. And I especially like the little Valentine's Day toppers. Happy Valentine's Day! xx

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  2. This is perfect for today! Looks so delicious. Off to check out your Minted post. Happy Valentine's Day!

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  3. Yum! I want one right now! Happy Valentine's day!

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  4. YAY for red velvet! It's definitely my favorite cupcake flavor. Yours look delish.

    Happy Valentine's Day! :)

    XO,

    Sam
    www.ThePeakofTresChic.com

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  5. oh my goodness i love red velvet period but these cupcakes look so cute! [and delicious!] thanks for sharing!! :) happy valentines day!!

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  6. yum, those look delicious!!! we keep it simple for V day...just a little dinner at home with some strawberries and chocolate fondue for dessert. mmmmm!

    happy valentine's day to you guys!

    mendi @ her late night cravings

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  7. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY HONEY!!! I hope you have a lovely day...your post is perfect for my linkup! I hope you will go add it and participate...Kori xoxo

    www.blondeepisodes.com

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  8. mmm-those cupcakes just make me happy!! Happy Love Day.

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  9. Ooh I'm heading over to Minted stat. That is so awesome, Natasha! :) Happy Valentine's Day!

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  10. LOVE that dress over at Minted! I tried it on the other day & its adorable on too! Happy V Day!

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  11. yummy cupcakes! bf and i are having a nice dinner at home. Hope you guys have a great day!

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  12. Yum-those cupcakes look delish! Aaah...and just think this time next year you'll have little enjoying those! LOL

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  13. Yum, I love red velvet! I posted a cupcake recipe today too, small world :) Happy Valentine's Day! xo

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  14. Those cupcakes look soooo good! Happy Valentine's Day, love!

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  15. Yum! Sounds delicious! The little toppers are darling. Happy love day, girlfriend!

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  16. I love cupcakes and those look amazing! Happy Valentines! xoxo

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  17. LOVE the v-day look you put together! SO cute and easy!! :)

    Those cupcakes looks SUPER yummy!

    Happy Valentine's Day!

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  18. I love red velvet cake. Wish I had one of these. A perfect Valentine treat. I am a happy new follower from Tasty Tuesday. Would love to have you visit me.
    Laura
    http://www.imsovintage.blogspot.com/

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  19. Red Velvet is my favorite cupcake EVER. Happy Valentine's day to you!

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  20. They are gorgeous! Happy Valentines Day:)
    ~Anne

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  21. so delish. and they look amazing too! all i need in my life now are red velvet cupcakes. great. i wonder how long this craving is going to last now.

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  22. this post is perfect timing!! i am attending a bridal shower this saturday and was asked to make cupcakes. the bride's favorite is red velvet so thank you thank you thank you natasha!! happy valentines day!

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  23. I love anything red velvet! It looks delicious and I love the love bug toppers :)

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  24. I am dying for a cupcake right now- no joke! I hope you and the hubs have a great V-day. Loved your outfit over at Minted. I always love your outfits!

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  25. I want to eat 3 of these right now! Happy Valentine's Day!

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  26. Those look delicious! Wish I had it in me to bake something today,lol...I'm going to be lucky to squeak out dinner!

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  27. Those look so yummy! Congrats on the guest post - very cool!

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  28. The hubby is *obsessed* with red velvet...I'm definitely going to have to give this one a whirl! And your little belly is just too adorable for words! Next year you're going to have a cute little Valentine to share this day with (c: See you at Minted!

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  29. Yum! I'm still searching for the perfect red velvet cupcake recipe, so may have to try this one out.

    And for V-Day, the guy and I made homemade heart-shaped pizza! So cute!

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  30. it i were not trying to watch my waistline, these would currently be right up my alley :) great guest post at minted- way to go girl!!

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  31. aw these are too cute! I love the added paper decorations and the crystal sprinkles. if i were a nice teacher i would make these for my class...

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  32. red velvet cupcakes are my FAVE!! these are adorable - loving the cute little toppers!! hope you had a wonderful vday!! xoxo

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  33. YUM! Loved your outfit over at minted :-)

    xoxo
    eileen

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  34. YUM! Hope you guys had a fabulous Valentine's Day and those cupcakes look amazing!!!

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  35. I love Ina Garten! She's my fav. These look delish and so pretty. Perfect for V-day. Hope you had a lovely one :)

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  36. YUM! Red Velvet is my favorite :) And the printout toppers add the perfect touch!

    Hope you had an amazing v-day with your hubby!

    xxx
    Jenna

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