Cupcakes... Red Velvet and Coca Cola!

Red Velvet

This, I would have to say is my favorite type of cake. I have tried different red velvet cake recipes and this is by far the best. The story behind this cake makes it perfect for Valentine’s day. Supposedly it originated during the Civil War, and that southern ladies made it "to keep their husbands home."


Cake

* 2 1/4 cups sifted cake flour (sifted, then measured)
* 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup buttermilk
* 2 oz red food coloring
* 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 1/2 cups sugar
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
* 2 large eggs


Frosting

* 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
* 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
* 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar


Preparation

For the cupcakes:

Fill lined cupcake pans 1/2 full of red velvet batter. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for approximately 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.


Cool cupcakes in pans for 5 to 10 minutes then remove from pans. Cool completely on wire racks before frosting.


NOTE: If you don't happen to have buttermilk on hand you can try this simple substitution. Place one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar in an empty one cup measuring cup. Fill with milk to 1 cup. Let stand for 5 minutes then use in any cake recipe that calls for buttermilk.


For frosting:
Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Add powdered sugar and beat until smooth.



Coca Cola Cupcakes

These sound strange but you really don’t taste the Coke. I think it just helps bring out the chocolate. The marshmallows help keep the cupcakes really moist!

Ingredients
Part One
• 1 cup coca cola or other cola drink
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup powdered cocoa
• 22 large marshmallows

Part two
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs, beaten


Coca Cola Cupcake Recipe Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners. These cupcakes work best with the silver metallic liners.
Part one

In a small saucepan mix cola, butter, vegetable oil and cocoa. Bring to a boil, remove from heat, and add marshmallows. Place lid on saucepan and leave until marshmallows begin to melt. Stir well.
Part two

Mix flour, sugar, and baking soda in a large mixing bowl. Add buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Mix well.

Combine Part One and Part Two in the mixing bowl. Spoon cupcake batter into cupcake pan liners until they are 1/2 to 2/3 full.

Bake at 325 degrees for approximately 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.


For the frosting I took some of the cream cheese frosting and mixed in enough Nutella to make it nice and chocolaty. It turned out really well.