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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Red Velvet Cheesecake Swirl Brownies

Ingredients

• 10 Tablespoons butter
• 3 ounces dark or semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• Red Food Coloring (I used Wilton No-Taste Red)
• 3/4 cup All Purpose Flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
For the Cheesecake Layer
• 8 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup sugar
• pinch salt
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Prepare 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper long enough to hang over on two sides, making it easier to remove from pan once baked. Spray pan and paper.
2. In small saucepot over medium heat, or in the microwave, melt chocolate and butter until smooth. Allow to cool slightly.
3. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, vanilla and red food coloring with the sugar. Slowly add in chocolate mixture until well combined.
4. In small bowl, sift together cocoa, salt and flour. Add mixture to rest of batter. Do not overmix.
5. Pour batter into prepared baking pan.
For the Cheesecake Layer
6. Beat ingredients together until smooth. Pour over brownie batter. Use sharp knife to swirl together.
7. Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, or until just set and toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool. Enjoy!

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