Last week was Spirit Week at school. And, on Thursday, the weekly Football Pasta Party for the High School Team. So, of course, we had to go with Red, White & Blue!!! ​These Red Velvet Cupcakes were perfect for the occasion. Besides looking great they are delicious!!! And the frosting....well try it for yourself!! I came across this recipe for the Red Velvet a few years ago and have been making it ever since.

RED VELVET CUPCAKES

2-1/2  CUPS FLOUR
2  TBLSP COCOA POWDER
1  TSP SALT
1  TSP BAKING SODA
1-1/2  CUPS SUGAR
1-1/2  CUPS VEGETABLE OIL
2  EGGS
1  TSP VANILLA
2 TBLSP RED FOOD COLORING
1  CUP BUTTERMILK
2  TSP WHITE VINEGAR

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

2  8 OZ PACKAGES OF CREAM CHEESE
2  STICKS BUTTER
1  TSP VANILLA
4  CUPS POWDERED SUGAR

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Begin by sifting together the flour, cocoa powder, salt baking soda and sugar in a mixing bowl.

You can either use a stand up mixer like I did or a hand held electric mixer. In a large mixing bowl mix together the oil, buttermilk, food coloring, vanilla and vinegar. Add eggs one at a time and mix just until combined. Slowly, add the dry ingredients while mixing well after each addition until smooth.

Now just fill each cup prepared with a paper liner about 2/3 full. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool about 5 minutes and remove from the cupcake pan. Then let them cool until they are room temperature before frosting.

To prepare the frosting just mix together the cream cheese and the butter until creamy. Add the vanilla. Then in small additions add the powdered sugar slowly until all incorporated and a thicker consistency. I like to refrigerate the frosting about 30 minutes before I pipe it on to the cupcakes. It will help make it a bit firmer and will go on nicer.

You can use a pastry bag with the tip of your choice or just a knife or spreader to frost them. Here are mine..............

I know they look beautiful, and they taste even better. The cake is moist and delicious. And that frosting.......crazy good!!! So I topped mine with some additional blue sprinkles for Spirit Week at school. They certainly had that red, white & blue spirit!!! In fact, I'm thinking we will have to remember to bring these back for Memorial Day, July Fourth, Labor Day....and whenever else you need some spirit!!

​Think I made enough??????

Now, if you want to kick these up a notch... you can add some Red Velvet Oreo Cookies stuffed inside them. All you need to do is follow the recipe exactly as is. Then just put a spoonful of batter in each cup, drop an Oreo in and top it off with more batter to fill each cup about 2/3 full.

Then just bake at 350 for 18 to 20 minutes. These really are amazing. They make a beautiful cupcake for Christmas time. But are amazing anytime!!!

ENJOY!!!!!!    ALL GOOD STUFF!!!!!!