From C&H Sugar

Recipe in partnership with @tutti_dolce

Digital Rights: Tutti Dolce

Soft and fluffy classic red velvet cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting make a delicious treat for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or any celebration.

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE CUPCAKES

1 1/2 cups flour

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups C&H Golden Brown Sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 large egg yolk, at room temperature

2 teaspoon Vanilla extract

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1/2 teaspoon red gel food coloring

3/4 cup Buttermilk, at room temperature

FOR THE FROSTING

8 oz full fat cream cheese, cool room temperature

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cool room temperature

1/4 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups C&H Confectioners Sugar

DIRECTIONS

FOR THE RED VELVET CUPCAKES

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two 12-cup standard muffin pans with baking cups. Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.

2.Beat C&H Golden Brown Sugar and butter in a large mixer bowl on medium speed until soft and creamy; mix in oil. Add eggs and egg yolk, one at a time, and beat until combined. Mix in vanilla extract. Beat in white vinegar and red gel coloring on low speed until combined. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with buttermilk (begin and end with flour mixture).

3.Use a medium cookie scoop coated with nonstick spray to fill each baking cup 2/3 full of batter.

4.Bake for 17 to 18 minutes, until cupcakes spring back to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool in pans on wire racks for 2 minutes before removing from pans to cool completely.

FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1.For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until creamy, scraping down bowl as needed. 

2.Beat in vanilla and salt. 

3.Reduce speed to low; add C&H Confectioners Sugar, 1 cup at a time, and beat well, scraping down bowl as needed. 

*If frosting is too soft to use immediately, chill for 15 to 20 minutes before piping.

TO DECORATE CUPCAKES

1.Transfer frosting to a large piping bag fitted with an open star tip and frost cupcakes. *If desired, top with red velvet cupcake crumbs.

2.Chill cupcakes 20 minutes before serving.

CHEF’S TIP: Store leftover cupcakes covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Find this recipe and more holiday treats at chsugar.com