The BEST Red Velvet Cupcake

By Karins_Cookin

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 TBS red food coloring
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 6 TBS butter, softened
• 2 TBS shortening (crisco)
• 1 2/3 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 1/2 cake flour, sifted
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vinegar (white or apple cider)
• 1 tsp baking soda (I accidently used baking powder)

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325. Line cupcake pan with paper liners.
In a small bowl mix cocoa powder, food coloring and boiling water- set aside.
In a large bowl, beat butter and shortening until blended. Beat in sugar until light and fluffy.
Add egg one at a time, beating after each addition.
Stir buttermilk and vanilla into cocoa mix.
Alternate adding flour, salt and buttermilk mixture into butter/sugar mixture.
In another small bowl, sprinkle baking soda over vinegar and mix. Pour over batter and mix until incorporated.
Using an ice cream scoop, evenly distribute batter among cupcakes.
Bake for 30 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean and cupcake springs back to touch.
Remove cupcakes from pan to allow for cooling and place on cooling rack.
Once cooled, frost with Cream Cheese Icing or White Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing.