Pink Champagne Cupcakes

By srumbel

A dessert fit for every celebration, Pink Champagne Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are my favorite sweet treat. Pink Champagne mixed right into the batter adding a sweet zing in every single bite.
from recipegirl.com

Ingredients

• For the frosting:
• 2 cups cake flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar
• 3 egg whites, room temperature
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup pink champagne
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• Pink color gel
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 pounds (32 ounces) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add the egg whites, one at a time, fully incorporating after each addition. Add the egg and vanilla, mix to combine.

Alternate adding the flour mixture and champagne, starting and ending with the flour. Stir in the sour cream until well combined.

Add 1 to 2 drops of pink color gel until the desired color is achieved.

Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners and fill each liner halfway with batter. Smooth the tops with a spatula.

Bake for approximately 20 to 23 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes, then transfer the cupcakes onto the rack to cool completely. Repeat with any remaining batter.

Add the butter and cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixture fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy.

Slowly add the sugar to the cream cheese mixture beating until light and creamy. Stir in the vanilla.

Transfer the frosting to a piping bag and frost the cupcakes. Decorate with sprinkles, if desired.

Yield:
24 cupcakes