Drunken Red Velvet ~ How to Make the Best Red Velvet Cupcakes

Valentine's day is only a few days away, and what better treat than Red Velvet Cupcakes? Well, I have an even better way to make them; swop out the oil for red wine. I heard this while watching "Cupcake Wars" and thought "why not?" I found some easy and delicious sounding recipes for the cupcakes and cream cheese frosting (below). If you want to make Drunken Red Velvets, too, simply add 1 1/2c. red wine (such as Pino Noir) instead of the vegetable oil. I'm sure it will work on box mixes as well...

Things You'll Need:

• 2 1/2 c. flour
• 1 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 tsp. cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 c. vegetable oil
• 1 c. buttermilk (room temperature)
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp. red food coloring
• 1 tsp. distilled white vinegar
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin tin with paper baking cups.
   
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the sugar, vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder.
3. Gradually pour dry mixture into wet, about 1 cup at a time, until fully incorporated and blended thoroughly.
   Fill baking cups about 2/3 full. Bake cupcakes for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of cupcake comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool, then top with Cream Cheese Frosting

Read more: How to Make the Best Red Velvet Cupcakes

Things You'll Need:

• 1/2 c. softened butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 4 1/2 c. powdered sugar (plus more, as needed)
• 6 oz. softened cream cheeses
• mixing bowls
• hand mixers

Instructions

1. Beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until light and fluffy.
2. Gradually add 2 c. of the powdered sugar, beating constantly.
3. Gradually beat in the rest of the powdered sugar until the mixture is spreadable.
4. Use immediately.

Read more: How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting