Red Velvet Holiday Elf Cupcakes Recipes

RED VELVET CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tins with paper liners.
• In a small bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large measuring cup, combine the buttermilk, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed for 1 minute, until light. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until combined. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients alternately in 3 parts, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, and mix until combined. Stir with a rubber spatula to be sure the batter is mixed.
• Scoop the batter into the muffin cups with a 2 1/4-inch ice cream scoop or large spoon. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. Cool completely in the pans and frost the cupcakes with Red Velvet Frosting.
• Place the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, and mix on medium speed just until combined. Don't whip! Add the sugar and mix until smooth.

RED VELVET CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Set aside.
• Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix in sour cream, milk, food color and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until just blended. Do not overbeat. Spoon batter into 30 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full.
• Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely. Frost with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting.
• Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese, softened, butter, sour cream and McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract in large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth.

RED VELVET HOLIDAY ELF CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
• In large bowl, beat cupcake ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups (about two-thirds full).
• Bake and cool completely as directed on box for cupcakes.
• Frost cupcakes with frosting, reserving 1 tablespoon frosting. Place one apricot half on each side of cupcakes for ears. Cut each fruit snack into 4 triangles. Place 1 triangle on top of each cupcake, folding pointed end over to form hat. Attach 1 gumdrop half to pointed end of each hat using reserved frosting. Use remaining gumdrop halves for nose, and chocolate chips for eyes. Pipe mouth with red decorator frosting. Store loosely covered.

RED VELVET CUPCAKES WITH CREAM CHEESE FILLING AND FROSTING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil, eggs, cocoa and food color on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups (about two-thirds full). Bake and cool completely as directed on box for cupcakes.
• In large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla with electric mixer on high speed until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Beat in 1 tablespoon of the milk. Add additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until frosting is piping consistency.
• Fit round tip (opening about 1/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter) in decorating bag. Spoon about 1 1/4 cups frosting into bag. Insert tip in center of 1 cupcake, about halfway down. Gently squeeze decorating bag, pulling upwards until cupcake swells slightly and filling comes to the top. Repeat with remaining cupcakes.
• Fit round tip (opening about 1/2 inch in diameter) into decorating bag. Spoon remaining frosting into bag; generously pipe frosting in circular motion on top of each cupcake, leaving 1/4-inch border around edge. Top with colored sugar. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

RED VELVET SANTA CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 12 regular-size muffin cups.
• In blender or food processor, place beets. Cover; blend on high speed about 1 minute, stopping occasionally to scrape sides, until smooth. Pour 1/2 cup beet mixture in large bowl (reserve remaining for another use). Add egg product, sugar, vanilla, oil and yogurt, stirring well to combine. Stir in flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In medium bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread on cupcakes. Top each with 1 strawberry and an additional dot of frosting.