Friday, April 16, 2010

Red Velvet babycakes with cream cheese frosting

I have always wanted to make red velvet cupcakes. I have only read good things about them, and they were super moist and velvety texture and a brilliant red colour.

I found many recipes on the internet but ended up going with this one from joythebaker.


These were a big hit and definitely hits the number one spot out of all the cupcakes i've made :) Moist and crumbly, with such a red shade glowing at you after you take a bite, teamed with cream cheese frosting this babycake will melt your hearts hehe.

Red Velvet Babycakes (makes 48 babycakes)

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 1/2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3 Tablespoons red food coloring (I using a dash less)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar

note: i make my own buttermilk by adding two tablespoons of white vinegar to a 250ml cup- then filling to the top with milk, that should sit for 10 minutes before adding to any mixtures :)

In the bowl of a stand mixer fit with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about three minutes. Turn mixer to high and add the egg. Scrape down the bowl and beat until well incorporated.

In a separate bowl mix together cocoa, vanilla and red food coloring to make a thick paste. Add to the batter, mixing thoroughly until completely combined. You may need to stop the mixer to scrape the bottom of the bowl, making sure that all the batter gets color.

Turn mixer to low and slowly add half of the buttermilk. Add half of the flour and mix until combined. Scrape the bowl and repeat the process with the remaining milk and flour. Beat on high until smooth.

Turn mixer to low and add baking soda and white vinegar. Turn to high and beat a few more minutes.

Spoon batter into a paper lined cupcake baking pan and bake at 180 C for 12-14 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center cupcake comes out clean.

Let rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then place them of a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.

Frosting (taken from here)

125g unsalted butter, softened
250g cream cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups (640g) icing sugar, sifted

For frosting, using an electric mixer, beat butter, cream cheese and vanilla for 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Gradually add icing sugar, beating until incorporated.


One thing that sucks is the food colouring! My mom was so angry at me for staining the toaster.. oops!

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh I have the same love hate relationship with red food dye. But in it'w defense, it makes everything the nicest shade of pink. :)

I neeed those gorgeous sprinkles!!! The make your babycakes POP even more!

Amy @ cookbookmaniac said...

Aww, your cupcakes are adorable. I love red velvet cake. I'm impatiently waiting for Halloween so I can make a cake that looks like its bleeding. Aww, I can't get over how cute they are.

Von said...

I didn't know that food colouring could stain that easily! I love the photo =] The cupcakes look so cute!

Valen said...

Talk about cute! Mom angry about that stain? I wonder if there is something that can get that out?

Phyllis said...

Love red velvet, your 'babycakes' are adorable! And yeah, you really have to watch that red food coloring, it freaks me out even when I make it from the box!

Kristy Sayer-Jones @ Southern In Law said...

These look superb! I love red velvet cupcakes, the first time I made them I was a little bit wary because I didn't know what they'd taste like - but they're sooo good.
Your pictures are great Betty :D

A cupcake or two said...

Red Velvet is by far my favourite Cupcake or cake. Its so vibrant in colour and just reminds me of so many good times. Every time I eat it I have a nostalgic feling about my trip to NY. Oh your baby cakes look awesome Betty.

♥peachkins♥ said...

Oh my..these looks sooo good!Thanks for visiting my blog..Nice to meet you.


blowing peachkisses
The Peach Kitchen
peach and things

tasteofbeirut said...

My son and daughter would be so happy if I made these! They had been telling me -for years- in no uncertain terms, that this is their favorite american cake! I would do it now, 'cause I like little bitty portions better !

Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella said...

Very cute! You can't get the red out of the toaster? I've never seen that before-it usually comes out after a bit of spray and rubbing!

Trissa said...

Surely your Mom must have forgiven you when she tried your cute cupcakes right? They look adorable - no one could stay angry eating those! And thanks for the buttermilk tip - next time I lack some, I dont need to run to the grocery anymore!

Anh said...

Adorable cupcakes!! I've worked with food coloring before. And it can be a pain to clean!

Adrian @ Food Rehab said...

haha- staining the toaster! Good job though. Red Velvet cupcakes are my favourite- I always get these babies at Little Cupcakes.

Thanks for this, I can now venture into making these myself!

mashi said...

So cute, i love these. The velvety red colour is so rich x

Try a bit of nail polish remover on the toaster, but be careful with taking the glossiness off too. Good luck

Gastronomy Gal said...

ok- try some bi-carb soda paste mixed with water!! should work.. Red is gorgeous but I have been stained for weeks too!

Leah said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog! These cupcakes look divine - I've never tried red velvet before but now I might have to!

Anita said...

I want to make a red velvet cake!!!!! I've waited years and never done it.... Maybe I should make some for people at work...

Emma @CakeMistress said...

Aww, your cupcakes are adorable and look delicious too! I know what you mean about the red food colouring, my sister's clothes got red patches on them somehow. At least there's cupcakes as a peace offering :)

Anonymous said...

this looks amazing.
i love how dainty and cute they are!
heh i stain many things when i make red velvet :P

panda said...

these cupcakes are adorable!!! and they look better than the ones you get form babycakes for sure!

john@heneedsfood said...

These have got to be some of the most adorable cupcakes I've seen. Nice one!

Kathy Diaz (foundbaking) said...

Shucks about the food coloring stain. It already sucks to have food coloring stains on your fingers and your apron but on the toaster too!?! Hope you were able to take it out. Lovely babycakes! Bite-sized goodness.

Tina @ bitemeshowme said...

Made these last night for my nephew's one month and they are deliciousssssssss! :D