Red Velvet Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. table salt
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
• 1 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp. white vinegar
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract, divided
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp Neufchâtel cream cheese, softened

Makes 16 Servings (1 cupcake per serving)

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Prepare 16 muffin tins with paper muffin liners
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking soda and cocoa; set aside.
3. In another large bowl, mix together buttermilk, vinegar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract; set aside.
4. With an electric mixer on high speed, cream granulated sugar with butter until light and fluffy. Reduce mixer speed and add eggs, one at a time, until well-incorporated.
5. Add about 1/3 each of flour and buttermilk mixtures to sugar mixture; beat until just combined. Repeat until all of flour and buttermilk mixtures are incorporated; add 1 1/2 ounces of red food coloring and mix well with mixer (do not over beat batter).
6. Fill each muffin tin about 2/3 full with batter.
7. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a cupcake comes out dry, about 25 minutes; cool for 5 minutes in pan and then cool completely on a wire rack.
8. Meanwhile, to make icing, combine powdered sugar, cheese and remaining teaspoon of vanilla in a medium bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until well-combined and creamy. For a looser icing, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of warm water. Ice cooled cupcakes.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.



Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. You can have your cupcake and eat it too. You don't need to visit your local bakeshop or grocery store to buy a Red Velvet cupcake. Red Velvet cupcakes originated in the American South and they are a take on Devil's Food cupcakes. The key to making delicious red velvet cupcakes is the red food coloring, vinegar, buttermilk, and the right amount of cocoa powder. Cream cheese frosting also the icing on the cake. These sweet treats are the perfect portion size to satisfy your sweet tooth. You can also make these treats blue or green velvet cupcakes using blue or green food coloring as well.