Red Velvet Cupcakes

Ingredients:

These Red Velvet Cupcakes are a SURE way to impress - whether at a christening; work morning tea; a fete - you name it - they're a big hit everywhere and anywhere.

For the luscious red cupcakes:

60g unsalted butter, at room temperature

150g caster sugar

1 egg

5g cocoa powder

20ml red food colouring

½tsp vanilla extract

120ml buttermilk

150g plain flour

½tsp salt

½tsp bicarbonate of soda

1½tsp white wine vinegar

For the cream cheese frosting:

300g icing sugar, sifted

50g unsalted butter, at room temperature

125g cream cheese, cold

small chocolate shavings for decoration

Method:

Preheat the oven to 170°C.

Put the butter and the sugar in a glass bowl and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy and well mixed. Turn the mixer up to high speed, slowly add the egg and beat until everything is well mixed.

In a separate bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, red food colouring and vanilla extract to make a thick, dark paste. Add to the butter mixture and mix thoroughly until evenly combined and coloured (scrape any unmixed ingredients from the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula).

Turn the mixer down to slow speed and slowly pour in half the buttermilk. Beat until well mixed, then add half the flour, and beat until everything is well incorporated. Repeat this process until all the buttermilk and flour have been added. Scrape down the side of the bowl again. Turn the mixer up to high speed and beat until you have a smooth, even mixture. Turn the mixer down to low speed and add the salt, bicarbonate of soda and vinegar.

Beat until well mixed, then turn up the speed again and beat for a couple more minutes.

Spoon the mixture into the paper cases until two-thirds full and bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 mins, or until the sponge bounces back when touched. A skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean. Leave the cupcakes to cool slightly in the tray before turning out onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Meanwhile for the cream cheese frosting:

Beat the icing sugar and butter together on medium-slow speed until the mixture comes together and is well mixed. Add the cream cheese in one go and beat until it is completely mixed through.

Turn the mixer up to medium-high speed. Continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy, at least 5 mins. Do not overbeat, as it can quickly become runny.

When the cupcakes are cold, spoon over the cream cheese frosting on top, and decorate with chocolate shavings.

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