I have lived in Alaska for almost 12 years.That’s long enough to stop calling all sodas a Coke & long enough for my southern drawl to have mostly faded away. I say mostly because about 5 minutes after I step off of a plane in New Orleans,it all comes flooding back. I suddenly I hear myself saying things like “bamamamas” (if you don’t speak N’awlins that’s by my mama’s). I have no idea how it happens; I don’t call my mom “mama”- EVER. Deep down inside of me there’s still a Southern Bell that needs to rear her pretty little head from time to time. I actually love that I grew up in New Orleans. How can you not love a place with so much character and such great food? One of the foods I love the most is Red Velvet cake.
When I first moved to Alaska I was really surprised by the number of people I knew who had never eaten Red Velvet cake. Its everywhere in the south. It just as shocking as when I discovered kids in other places didn’t get 3 days off of school for Mardi Gras. WEIRD. I’m glad to see that Red Velvet Cake has since gained the popularity it deserves. I think everyone needs a hint of chocolate and rich cream cheese frosting in their lives.
With Valentine’s Day rapidly approaching, I decided to make Red Velvet Cupcakes & top them with fondant decorations.
I’ve learned to make a little bit extra of whatever I’m baking, This keeps the boyfriend happy while I decorate and take pictures. Here is a picture of one”his” cupcakes that I slapped some frosting on real quick. I love the way it turned out.
Can you tell I’ve been experimenting with all kinds of photo editing effects? I have to do something to make my pictures look better; winter in Alaska can be a challenge for food photography.
Here’s the recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/2 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups cake flour
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 4-5 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake tin with 12 liners
- In an electric mixer cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, until well blended
- In a separate bowl. mix the food coloring and cocoa powder until a paste is formed.
- Add the paste to the butter mixture, and mix well.
- Add the buttermilk and blend well. Add the flour and mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, mix the vinegar and baking soda together & add to the batter. Mix until ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Spoon batter into lined cupcake pan
- Bake for 10 minutes; rotate and bake for an additional 10minutes or until a toothpick inserted the center comes out clean.
- Cool on a wire rack.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Add the vanilla
- Add the powdered sugar, on cup at a time and mix until fully incorporated.
Notes
recipe from Sweet Cupcakes
Hope you enjoy! Stay tuned; more Valentine’s treats to come…
I’m joining these link parties check them out and link your post too:
Sumos’ Sweet Stuff Market Yourself Monday
Things that make you say “mmmm”
Dollhouse Bake Shoppe virtual Valentine’s Party
Fingerprints on the Fridge Feature Yourself Friday
Happy Hour Projects Freestyle Friday
Valentine’s Week Link Part hosted by Hossier Homemade, The Shabby Creek Cottage, The Idea Room & Nest Of Posies
Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party
Cupcake Apothecary- Search for Red Velvet
Not only do your cupcakes look awesome, but I love your story to go along with it!
It’s my first time visiting your blog, but I’ll have to stop by again soon to check out more of your creations. : )
Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope that you do stop by again to check out some more of my treats.
That’s so cool that you would get 3 days off for Mardi Gras! I didn’t realize that red velvet was a Southern thing. Definitely need to introduce it to everyone!
I sure do miss those days off & I agree Red Velvet deserves to be loved by everyone.
I can’t believe how many people I know that don’t like red velvet cake, it’s appalling to me!!!
so funny, we call Soda just pop here, and red velvet is definantly gaining popularity.
Sweet! I <3 cupcakes – I'm trying to get better at making them lol! Thanks for sharing & I'm pinning!
These are adorable! Thanks so much for linking up this week to Things That Make You Sy Mmmmm!
I found you on Tip Junkie. Would you please share this with my readers for our Fun Stuff Fridays Valentine’s Linky Party? I think it would be a great fit. http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2012/02/14-days-of-valentines-fun-stuff-fridays.html
I linked up thanks for the invite. Can wait to see more of the other submissions:)
We call it pop here but husband spent a summer in NC in his teens and said when he would go to a restaurant they would ask “What kind of Coke do you want?”
looks delicious & so pretty!!would like if you share with Valentines day event @my blog,here is the link
http://foodssrilanka.blogspot.com/2012/02/decorating-challenge-3-valentines-day.html
Thanks & thanks for the invite to link up!
Perfect for a Valentine!! Cute cupcakes!
Ongoing-”Valentine’s Day Event”(till Feb 20th)
Cute cupcakes! Perfect for a Valentine!!
Ongoing-”Valentine’s Day Event”(till Feb 20th)
Pretty cupcakes! I went to Louisiana for the first time this summer – what an awesome place! Bet you have the recipe for pralines down pat!
They are so pretty & lovely!!. Thank you for sharing. Happy Valentine’s Day!!
Decorating Challenge- Valentine’s Day Ideas