Blue Velvet Cupcakes

Blue Velvet Cupcakes

2 C sugar 
2 sticks butter, at room temperature 
2 eggs 
1 T cocoa powder 
1 T Wilton royal blue gel food coloring 
1 small dab of Wilton violet gel food coloring 
2½ C cake flour 
1 tsp salt 
1 C buttermilk 
1 tsp vanilla extract 
½ tsp baking soda 
1 T vinegar 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare cupcake pan(s) with paper liners.

In a mixing bowl, cream the sugar and butter, mix until light and fluffy. Add the eggs 1 at a time and mix well after each addition. Mix cocoa and food colorings together to form a paste, and then add to sugar mixture; mix well. Sift together flour and salt. Add flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Blend in vanilla. In a small bowl, combine baking soda and vinegar and add to mixture.

Pour batter into cupcake papers. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting. 

For the cream cheese frosting, I used my old standby recipe. 

Almond Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 stick of butter, softened
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 box powdered sugar

Blend cream cheese, butter, and almond extract. Mix in powdered sugar. Spread or pipe onto cooled cupcakes. 

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