A Weigh-In and Royal Red Velvet

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Tonight I had a ladies meeting and I took Red Velvet Cake. It inspired me to share this recipe by Mrs. Paula Deen. It is her lovely and famous ...

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting by Paula Deen

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 pound cream cheese, softened
2 sticks butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
Chopped pecans and fresh raspberries or strawberries, for garnish

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.

Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.

Garnish with chopped pecans and a fresh raspberry or strawberry.

Cook's Note: Frost the cupcakes with a butter knife or pipe it on with a big star tip.

These make a wonderful presentation and taste test sensation at Christmastime! What are your favorite recipes?

After trying these, you will want to weigh like this -


... just don't tell my Weight Watchers friends! In fact, this Weight Watchers Girl weighed in proper tonight and was down -3.6 pounds! That rocked the house! (especially after the plateau I've been on).

p.s. I had a small portion of the lovely Red Velvet! A girl has to celebrate! Next Red Velvet craving... I'm turning to these delicious treats, the Weight Watchers Red Velvet Bars! They are divine!

Weight Watchers Red Velvet Bars

And they are soooo worth it! 1 point Mini Bars

Warmly,