Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Blue Velvet Cupcakes

Just in case you want to bake your own batch of blue velvet or any color velvet cupcakes, here is my go to recipe.  I've tried several other recipes, but this is my fav.  The cupcakes are always light and fluffy...just how I like it.  Thank you, Paula Deen!  :)

(Color) Velvet Cupcakes
Source:  Food Network
  • 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 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( I don't use all 4 cups.  I do it to taste)

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.

It's a Boy!

The girls and I threw a baby shower for Stacey and Daniel.  They are expecting a baby boy in April and we couldn't be more excited for them.  This will be the second offspring of the group and I'm hoping we add a few more in the next few years. Kylie's tired of being the only kid!  Haha. 
We had lots of food which was catered by Jer's mom and lots of other yummy appetizers, including Ana's delicious crab salad.  Yum! For dessert,  I made blue velvet cupcakes with a whipped cream cheese frosting and cake pops as favors/centerpieces. Sue was able to find a website for the cupcake toppers which worked perfectly with my scallop cutter!  You can find the labels here.  We also purchased mason jars as centerpieces filled with raffia and placed 6-8 of the cake pops.  I must say the baby shower was well put together.  Great job organizing, Sue!