Red Velvet Cupcakes for Valentines Day!

Happy Valentine;s Day! Our gift to you this year is a wonderful Red Velvet Cupcake recipe. Make it for the ones you love!

Ingredients

Cupcakes
1/3 cup cocoa
3 tablespoons red food coloring
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 egg yolks
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoons salt
2 1/4 cups sifted cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon white vinegar

Frosting
3 tablespoons flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
8 ounces of either 62% dark chocolate or white chocolate
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa (for white chocolate, omit cocoa)
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Cupcakes: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 standard 12-cup cupcake tins with baking papers and set aside.  Mix the cocoa, food coloring and vanilla together in a small bowl and set aside.  Beat the butter and sugar together in a large bowl, using a mixer set on medium-high speed.  Add the yolks and beat for 1 more minute.  Add the cocoa mixture and beat to combine.  Stir the buttermilk and salt together and add it in thirds, alternating with the flour mix.  Mix the baking soda with the vinegar and blend into the batter.  Fill each cupcake tin with 3 tablespoons batter, and bake until a toothpick inserted in the cupcake center tests clean-about 15 minutes. Cool in the pans on a wire rack for 15 minutes.  Release cakes and cool completely before frosting.

Frosting: Whisk milk, flour, and salt in a small saucepan over medium high heat until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble- 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool.  Melt either dark chocolate or white chocolate.  Set aside to cool. Beat butter, confectioner's sugar, and cocoa together until light and fluffy.  Use immediately. Feel free to add any toppings you would like, such as fresh fruit, Hershey Kisses, Hot Tamales or slivered almonds.

Enjoy!  Let us know how they turn out!