Red Velvet Cupcakes

Red velvet cupcakes are a dense, moist cupcake. They are ideal anytime, but especially suitable for Christmas, Valentine's Day or Halloween because of their gorgeous deep colour.

2. Line cupcake pans with cupcake liners.

3. Sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.

4. Cream the butter, sugar and vanilla using an electric mixer, until the mixture is pale and fluffy.

5. Add the eggs one at a time, letting the eggs beat for 1 minute in between additions.

6. Measure out the buttermilk and add red food coloring.

7. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the wet ingredients.

8. Spoon into paper lined cupcake pans. Bake for 12 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center of a red velvet cupcake comes out clean.

9. Let cool completely before frosting with buttercream or cream cheese frosting.

These cupcakes can be butterflied. The bright red cupcake teamed with the cream of the frostings looks really impressive. Alternatively frost and place a chocolate cookie on top. A heart shaped cookie is perfect for Valentines Day. Or, if you haven't got the time to make the cookies, a heart-shaped chocolate is sure to impress!

*Sometimes I decide to make red velvet cup cakes but don't have any buttermilk. Add 1 tblspn vinegar to 3/4 cup milk and let stand for 5 minutes before adding to recipe.