PheMomenon has moved!

You should be automatically redirected in 5 seconds.

If not, please visit http://www.phemomenon.com and update your bookmarks and RSS feed.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Southern Grace in a Cupcake


Photobucket

I saw the cutest cupcakes on Tastespotting the other day and was reminded that I have been meaning to try to make red velvet cake for a long time now. Here's the thing with me and cakes though, I have yet to bake a non-,ix cake that didn't "flop" in some way.

Photobucket

So, frosting is a great thing. The cake still tastes great, it just doesn't always do what I want it to. This time though I think I just over-filled the cups. Anyway, as attempts go, I'll call this one a success.

Photobucket





So, for Arfi's Cupcakes Spectacular 2008 Event I thought I would send her these little mini red velvet cupcakes.







Photobucket

I based the recipe off of the Lady's version, after all, who better to learn about the art of southern grace than the Great Lady herself.

I hope that Paula would approve.

Photobucket

Red Velvet Cupcakes
(Adapted from recipe by Paula Deen)

Cake:
1 cup sugar
1 stick butter (1/2 cup or 8 oz), at room temperature
1 eggs
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 1/2 ounces red food coloring
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 tablespoon vinegar
2 tablespoons sour cream


Frosting:
4-ounces cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons butter, softened

1/2 teaspoon vanilla paste (or extract)
1/2-pound confectioners' sugar
pecan halves

Cake:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Photobucket

In a mixing bowl, cream the sugar and butter, beat until light and fluffy. Add the egg and mix well. Add the sour cream and mix well. Mix cocoa and food coloring together 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.

Photobucket

Scoop batter into 12 lined cupcake cups.

Photobucket

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from heat and cool completely before frosting.

Photobucket

Frosting:

Blend cream cheese and butter together in a mixing bowl. Add sugar and vanilla and blend. Top the cupcakes as desired and garnish with a light dusting of cocoa powder and a pecan half.

Then just take a big bite and enjoy the spoils!

Photobucket

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Holly, that some cupcakes!! I think I've put red velvet cake on my must-do-list last year and I didn't make it! I should try a little version like yours here. Lovely! Thank you for participating on Cupcakes Spectacular!

Cheers,
ab

Gretchen Noelle said...

These are really lovely cupcakes! I adore the pecans and the sprinkle in the top, it just defines them. Great job!

Melanie said...

Gorgeous - those look better than any cupcakes I've ever even thought about making!

Anonymous said...

Those cupcakes are absolutely beautiful! I love the simplicity in decoration! They look delicious!

Steph said...

I have never had a red velvet cake before, I guess I should change that! They sound delightful!

Kalyn Denny said...

Hi there,
Alanna tipped me off that you're in Utah. I live in Salt Lake. I've been noticing a few more Utah food blogs and I'm thinking this summer we should have some kind of picnic or something.

Anonymous said...

are you sure it's a paula deen recipe? there's only one stick of butter!

they sound yummy and look adorable. i'll take a dozen.

Deborah said...

My sister has requested red velvet cupcakes for her birthday in a few weeks, and I was thinking about using Paula's recipe! I love the look with the pecan on top.

PheMom said...

Hi Arfi - thanks for a fun event. I tend to just throw cupcakes together and not decorate. We seem to skip that part and go straight to scarfing them down. I think I'll take the time now!

Hi Gretchen Noelle - thanks for the nice compliment. I almost didn't put the pecans on, but it made such a huge difference with the taste.

Thanks Mel - you are so sweet! You should have seen them after they baked. I had to pry them out of their little cups. They were still good though.

Hi Joy - thanks! I had to take most of them to a friends house so I would stop eating them all myself!

Hi Steph - I think red velvet has been on my list for about 4 years now. I just don't always have red food coloring on hand. Also, I used the best cocoa I could find to still have that chocolate flavor.

Hi Kalyn - I'm in! I've been thinking the same thing. I know of five of us, but I'm sure there are more. I'll have to email you!

Hi Michelle - It is Paula's, but I cut most of it in half. Her recipe is for a layer cake with 2 sticks in the cake and one in the frosting! I didn't cut down her ratio, just the size output of the recipe for me. :)

Hey Deborah - I really think this would be a fun and festive cake. I loved the ones you made with the marshmallow frosting though.

Blog Widget by LinkWithin