Red Velvet Mini Cupcakes w/ Cream Cheese Frosting aka Elaine's Famous Red Cake

Before I was engaged to my husband I knew he was not a chocolate fan.  Even though I have always had quite the love affair with chocolate his lack of chocolate love was not a deal breaker.

Before we were married though I learned that my husband's absolute favorite cake, of course made famous and perfect by his mom, was Red Cake aka Red Velvet Cake.

Now, if you know anything about red velvet cake you know that it is a chocolate cake.  You use cocoa powder.

Kind of silly that my husband's favorite cake is a chocolate cake even though he doesn't like chocolate.

It really did confuse me, but I just go with it now.  Men can be silly at times. ;)

If Valentine's Day and February in general had a cake theme Red Velvet would be it.  

If you want to make the absolute best Red Velvet Cake make this recipe.  Depending on your mood you can make cute little mini cupcakes, regular cupcakes, a 9x13 pan (Elaine's favorite), bundt cake, or a double layer cake.

This truly is an amazing red velvet cake recipe, but the cream cheese frosting is equally as good.  Though, according to my husband's co-worker, it is the best frosting he's ever had.

Happy Love Day/Valentine's Day/Red Velvet Cake eating day/month!

Red Velvet Mini Cupcakes w/ Cream Cheese Frosting
Recipe: Alohamora slightly adapted from Elaine G.
Active Time: 25 minutes
Inactive Time: 30 minutes + cool time
Servings: 48 mini cupcakes, 24 cupcakes, or cake servings 10-12

Ingredients: 
For the Cake:
1 tsp vinegar, white distilled
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 c. butter, unsalted and softened
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs, large
1 tsp vanilla
2 oz (2 bottles) red food coloring
2 c. flour, all-purpose
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp cocoa
1 c. buttermilk

For the Frosting:
2 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. butter, unsalted and softened
1 Tbsp vanilla
2 1/2 c. powdered sugar

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees, and prepare your pan.  Lay cupcake liners in the cupcake pan, or flour and grease (or spray with a baking spray) a bundt pan, 9x13 pan, or 2-8 inch round pans. 
2. Mix together the vinegar and baking soda and set aside. 
3. In a large bowl or a stand mixer cream the butter and sugar together. 
4. Add the eggs, vanilla, and food coloring one at a time mixing between each addition.  If you want to be thrifty, save a little money and use 1 jar of food coloring, and 1 jar (the same jar) of water.  It will still be "red cake," but it won't be quite as red.  
5. Add the flour, salt, and cocoa and mix it until it is just combined. 
6. Add the buttermilk and mix until just combined.  
7. Finally, gently stir in, fold, the vinegar and baking soda mixture. 
8. Pour your cake batter into the prepared pan/pans. 
9. Bake your mini-cupcakes at 325 for 15-20 minutes, 8-inch pans for 30 minutes, 9x13 pan for 35 minutes, bundt pan for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 
10. Allow your cake or cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.  
11. To make your frosting combine all of the ingredients in a stand mixer and beat on low until smooth and creamy, for about 3 minutes.  You do not want to over beat the frosting.  To make super smooth frosting be sure your cream cheese is softened completely.  
12. Frost your cupcakes or cake and enjoy. 
13. Store leftovers in the fridge or on the counter. 

Happy Red Velvet Cupcakes or Cake eating! Happy Love Day!