Red Velvet Cupcakes

Well. Yum. Really. And very red, but -- these pretty little things were supposed to be for a birthday party for a friend for a party for tonight, BUT - we had some really messy, snowy roads...so we are...stuck with a whole batch of these little treats...which. We WILL share. Tomorrow. Tonight they will enjoy just being pretty, and tomorrow: they will be devoured by my family.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

1/2 cup margarine

1 1/2 cups white sugar

2 eggs

2 Tbsp. cocoa

3 Tbsp. red food coloring

1 tsp. salt

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup buttermilk

1 tsp. baking soda

1 Tbsp. vinegar

Cream margarine; add sugar gradually.  Add eggs, one at a time; beat well. Make a paste of cocoa and food coloring in a small bowl, then add to the sugar mixture.  Mix flour and salt in a small bowl, and add alternately with the buttermilk, beating well after each addition.  Add vanilla. Sprinkle soda over vinegar in small bowl, then add to the batter. Stir with a wooden spoon until mixed.

Put in a well greased muffin pan or muffin liners (I use a silicone muffin pan - they are super easy to clean and get out!)  and bake at 350 for about 22 minutes. Leave in the pan 'til a bit cooled so they don't fall apart.

Icing

1 pckg. cream cheese, softened

6 Tbsp. butter, softened

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups icing sugar

I also had whipped cream - and that was equally as yummy on top in place of icing!

Enjoy! ~ Kristi