Monday, September 6, 2010

Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes



Traditionally we think of Labor Day as a symbolic end to Summer. Often celebrated by hosting or attending a party or BBQ. Actually the first Labor Day was observed on September 5, 1882 in New York City by the Central Labor Union of New York. A few years later, in 1894 it became a federal holiday. I like millions of other people across the country look forward to a well deserved day off.

Living in the Bay Area, we typically experience warm months ahead through about the end of October. This year has been particularly mild on the weather front and I hope that many warm days are ahead. Tonight we are headed to one of our neighbors for Labor Day barbeque festivities. I asked ahead of time what I could bring to help out. I offered a side dish or dessert. My neighbors reply over email was – a dessert would be wonderful. Dessert it is!!





















Not having an overwhelming sweet tooth, I pondered what to bring that would please both adults and kids. I have long wanted to make red velvet cupcakes and have been facinated by them. Several months ago I picked up Martha Stewarts Cupcakes. I leafed through the index to see if there was a recipe for Red Velvet Cupcakes and I knew that Martha would not let me down. I adapted the cupcake recipe ever so slightly, since Martha creates recipes near perfection.


















Adding my own spin, I made mini versions of these delectible little treats. With the frosting recipe, I substituted half of the butter for shortening to make it lighter and creamier. Using a piping bag with a star tip to dress the top of each little cupcake, it added an elegant touch.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Labor Day Holiday!  Enjoy!!






















Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes

Makes approximately 72 cupcakes

2 ½ C. Flour
2 T. Cocoa powder
1 t. Salt
1 ½ C. Sugar
1 ½  C. Vegetable oil
2 Large eggs
1 t. Red gel-paste food color
1 t. Vanilla extract
1 C. Buttermilk
1 ½ t. Baking soda
2 t. Distilled white vinegar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line mini muffin tins with paper liners.

With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, whisk together sugar and oil until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Mix in food color and vanilla. Add flour, cocoa powder and buttermilk slowly and alternate a bit at a time until incorporate. (if you don’t have buttermilk, add about 1 teaspoon of vinegar to the milk and let stand for 5 minutes)

Stir together the baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl (it will foam); add mixture to the batter, and mix on medium speed 10 seconds.

Using a small ice cream scoop, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, about 12 minutes. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes. Cupcakes can be stored overnight at room temperature, or frozen up to 2 months, in airtight containers.

To finish, use a piping bag with a star tip to frost each of the cupcakes. Refrigerate up to 3 days in airtight containers; bring to room temperature before serving.

Cream Cheese Frosting

½ C. Butter
½ C. Shortening
1 t. Vanilla
1 (12 oz) package cream cheese
1 lb. Confectioners sugar

Bring the butter and cream cheese to room temperature. In a stand up mixer, cream together the butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Add the vanilla and beat for 15 seconds. Slowly incorporate the confectioner’s sugar until the entire amount is combined. Beat until fluffy – for about 3 to 5 minutes. Use a piping bag and star tip to decorate each mini cupcake.



30 comments:

  1. Cream cheese is the perfect topping for those adorable little cupcakes!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Can never go wrong when you bring cute little cupcakes like that! I love mini red velvet cupcakes! Hint, Hint!
    -Gina-

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love red velvet cake, and this version sounds very tasty! I love the way you piped the frosting.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looks fantastic! Love your pictures! Red Velvet cupcakes are definitely my favorite!
    Would you mind checking out my blog? :D ajscookingsecrets.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. These cupcakes are gorgeous!!! Love your cake stand too! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Being a HUGE red velvet anything fan, these mini cupcakes look fabUlous!

    ReplyDelete
  7. These are beautiful. I grew up in the south so you know I've had my share of red velvet cake...it's always a favorite. Beautiful photos as well.

    ReplyDelete
  8. How pretty! They look so delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love that cake stand! And of course the cupcakes look beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  10. These babies look fantastic! It sure was hot in the bay area yesterday, I had no energy to cook! Sounds like you had a great Labor Day!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yes I'm hoping our Bay Area "summer" lasts a while, too. Those cupcakes are so cute, I just want to eat them all up!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I made the full sized cake version of this recipe on Saturday for my wife's birthday. We just finished it tonight. Enjoyment was had every time!!!

    Jason

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Lisa...I know I commented already but I just wanted to ask you to stop by my blog and pick up an award. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. They came out beautifully! Your neighbors and coworkers are SO lucky to enjoy the extras!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Gorgeous cupcakes....love the way you did the icing:D

    ReplyDelete
  16. Gorgeous cupcakes! Love the photos and Red Velvets are my favorite.

    www.thefrostedcupcakes.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Stunning photos!! My daughter's first request is always red velvet cake or cupcakes. She loves the rich, red colors. I like your frosting version better too! Congrats on a well deserved Top 9!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Red velvet and cream cheese frosting are my faves! Gorgeous display with the milk glass cake stand! Good luck with Project Food Blog, too!

    ReplyDelete
  19. These cupcakes turned out beautiful, perfect frosting piping. The cake part must be moist and delicious with the use of buttermilk! Congrats on the Top 9 today! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am making some red velvet cupcakes in the near future for a friend's birthday. These little mini ones are great! Congrats on making the Top 9 today, I am glad that I discovered your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  21. These look gorgeous!I love the frosting...it's so pretty!Can you send me one to try:)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I made these for a friend at work and she shared them with several other people who said they were the best red velvet cupcakes they'd ever had. I used a cream cheese frosting recipe from the Joy of Cooking that was interesting because it used the cream cheese straight from the fridge--and worked!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I've wanted to try making red velvet cupcakes, thanks for the recipe, they look perfect:)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great post. I'm your newest follower.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Beautiful cupcakes! I love the frosting too. Hope you had a great holiday.

    ReplyDelete
  26. this is what you call the perfect and original cupcakes :) they look beautiful !!!

    have a lovely weekend :)
    jen @ www.charmoflife.ca

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your cupcakes turned out so well!!! Great frosting job!

    ReplyDelete

It simply makes me smile when I receive a new comment and I look forward to hearing from you!

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.