Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting and a Raspberry Topper

These red velvet cupcakes are one of the best that I've made! 

They are moist and have the perfect flavor! Plus, they have the added wonderful taste of cream cheese frosting! One of the best types of frosting out there, right?! 

Well if you enjoy the taste of cream cheese frosting and chocolate and enjoy a cupcake that not only tastes good but looks good as well, then this is the recipe for you!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups of sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter, room temperature
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 2 1/3 cups of cake flour
• 2 TBS of Dutch-processed cocoa powder
• 1 tsp of baking soda
• 1 tsp of baking powder
• 1/2 tsp of salt1 cup of buttermilk
• 1  1/2 TBS of red food coloring
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• 1 tsp of distilled white vinegar
• raspberries or strawberries if desired 

Frosting Ingredients 

•  1/2 cup of butter (1 stick), room temperature
• 8 oz of Philly cream cheese (1 package), room temperature
• 2 - 3 cups of powdered sugar
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract

Directions

1 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Beat the butter and sugar in an electric mixer for 3 minutes on medium speed until light and fluffy.

2 Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until each is fully incorporated. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.

3 In a large bowl, sift together the cake flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl whisk together the buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla extract, and red food coloring.

4 Add a fourth of the dry ingredients and mix, then add a third of the wet. Continue adding in a dry, wet, dry pattern, ending with the dry ingredients.

5 Scoop into cupcake papers, about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way full. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Rotate the pan after the first 15 minutes of baking to ensure even baking.

6 Allow to cool for one minute in the pan then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

The Frosting

1 Cream the butter and cream cheese together, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing.

2 Add the vanilla extract and mix.

3 Add the powdered sugar, continually taste to get to desired sweetness. 

4. Frost on cupcakes and fresh raspberry or strawberry and enjoy! 

Recipe found at http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/red_velvet_cupcakes_with_cream_cheese_frosting/