Pink Velvet Cupcakes
with cream-cheese frosting
THE RECIPE
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups Cake flour
- 1/8 cup Dutch process cocoa
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 1/4 tsp Baking soda
- 1 1/2 Tbsp Distilled white vinegar
- 1 1/4 cups Granulated Sugar
- 8 oz Vegetable oil
- 1 tsp Red gel-paste food coloring
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 6 oz Buttermilk
- For frosting:
- 4 tbsp Butter
- 8 oz Cream Cheese
- 2 cups Confectioner's Sugar
- 2 tbsp White nonpareils
- Provided:
- Plastic Piping Bag
- Cupcake Cups (18)
ABOUT RECIPE:
Our namesake dessert is a New York classic that pairs rich cocoa cakes with cream-cheese frosting. In support of Bright Pink, we've made it a tad more ladylike, giving the icing a rosy sheen. We'll also donate 20% of sales to the charity.
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
We are proud to support Bright Pink, a nonprofit working to save women's lives from breast and ovarian cancer by empowering them to live proactively at a young age.
BAKING ADVICE:
BAKING HACKS
Back in the day all recipes were done by hand, so it’s fine if you don’t have an electric mixer. (We’re big fans of wooden spoons and whisks.) It will take a bit more time, but you get a nice arm workout!
You'll literally only need 1 drop (like a rain drop!) of red food coloring for your pink icing. You can add it slowly to dye your frosting as light or dark as you would like.
BAKING PAN ADVICE
No need for a cupcake pan for this one! Our decorative paper cups are oven- and freezer-safe. Biodegradable and eco-friendly, they’re great for gifts and parties.
YOUR RED VELVET KIT
STEP 1
You’ve got some gorgeous ingredients! Once you’ve unpacked your kit, preheat your oven to 350°F. Line up 18 cupcake cups. In a medium bowl, whisk together cake flour, cocoa, and salt. In a small bowl, mix baking soda and vinegar (it will bubble and foam!) and set aside.
STEP 2
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat sugar and oil until combined (2 minutes). Add eggs, scraping down sides to incorporate fully. Mix in all but a drop of red food coloring (save it for the frosting!) and half of the vanilla extract. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture and buttermilk, alternating both in small batches, until fully mixed.
STEP 3
Add the baking soda and vinegar mixture to the batter, and mix on medium speed for 10 seconds. Divide the batter evenly among cupcake cups, filling each three-quarters full. Place on a baking sheet.
STEP 4
Bake in the middle of the oven for 18 to 20 minutes. Cakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer pan to wire rack and cool completely. Bring butter and cream cheese to room temperature.
STEP 5
Sift the confectioner's sugar using a sieve or sifter, and set aside. In a medium bowl, beat butter and cream cheese with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce speed to low. Add confectioner’s sugar, in two batches, and mix until smooth. Add remaining drop of red food coloring and vanilla, then mix until color is consistently pink.
STEP 6
Frost cooled cupcakes using piping bag provided. To fill the bag, fold over the top to form a cuff, scoop in frosting, then unfold and twist to push frosting down, releasing any air bubbles. Using both hands, apply downward pressure to the frosting and follow a circular motion. Start on the outside of the cupcake and work your way in. Decorate with nonpareils, and enjoy!
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