Red Velvet

For Valentine's Day I had wanted to make Red Velvet cupcakes, but found I was out of red food coloring.  I have remedied this, and decided that I'd might as well make them even if the holiday is over.  The recipe I used was from food network and can be found here.

First combine 2 1/2 cups of flour with 1/2 cups sugar, 1 tsp each of salt, baking soda and cocoa powder.

Next combine 1 cup butter milk with 1 1/2 cups canola oil, 2 eggs, 1 tsp of vanilla and the red food coloring.  I followed the recipe for "red off the back of the box, so 50 drops.

Add the dry to the wet and combine.

Looks a bit like Gak.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Well...I guess the title of this post should've been "pink velvet."

After they've cooled make some cream cheese icing.  Beat 1 stick of butter with 1 8 oz package of cream cheese (both at room temperature).

Add vanilla,

And powdered sugar.

I do this by eye/taste.  I don't like cream cheese frosting to be too sweet.

Now it's time to ice our cupcakes!

As you can see, I'm using a bag with a piping tip, my electric piper and I aren't getting along.

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!  I hope you enjoy these cupcakes!

(So, I realized after this was all done that I forgot an ingredient.  With the wet works, add 1 tsp of white distilled vinegar.  They still taste good without it.)