

Note: I decorated these with Wilton's Jumbo Nonpareil sprinkles, generously donated by Auburn. I'm crazy enough that I just picked out the green ones. Good thing my husband wasn't home, he would have seriously doubted me there.

1 cup sour cream (reduced fat is fine)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup canola oil
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 ounce red food coloring (one small bottle)
1 box German chocolate cake mix
Preheat the oven to 350.
Combine all ingredients in stand mixer and beat for two minutes until combined. Using a 2-tablespoon scoop, scoop into 24 paper-cup lined muffin tins.
Bake for 21-24 minutes or until cupcakes spring back slightly when touched and a tooth pick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool on racks and frost once completely cooled.
Cream Cheese Frosting
1 package of cream cheese, softened (I like to use Neufchatel, less fat and I don't notice much difference)
1/2 cup butter, softened (one stick)
2 Tablespoons milk
2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or the seeds of one vanilla pod, scraped
dash of salt
6 cups of powdered sugar (more or less to achieve desired consistency, this is a baseline)
1 Tablespoon meringue powder
In a mixer with the whisk attachment, combine the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add in the milk, vanilla, and salt, and blend.
Next, add the powdered sugar and meringue powder, cover the bowl of the mixer with a dish towel, and turn it on low until everything is combined. Then increase the speed for a minute or so until the frosting is light, fluffy, and delicious. The meringue powder will help set the frosting after it dries so it holds its shape.
Variation:
Add 1 T. Lemon or orange zest and substitute juice for the milk to make a tangy citrus frosting
These looks so scrumptious! Now you have me wanting one, I guess I will have to make them. ;)
ReplyDeleteThose do look delicious. I admit to liking cake mix cupcakes - it's the texture. Do you have any of the Anne Byrn "Cake Mix Doctor" books? Interestingly, she is also a stickler for homemade frosting (on top of her cake mix cakes).
ReplyDeleteThese cupcakes look scrumptious. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
I'm having a giveaway on my blog, check it out if you want!
I totally agree.. nothing beats Heinz and homemade frosting. That cream cheese frosting looks delicious! The last time I made it, I must have overpulsed in the food processor and it turned really liquidy.
ReplyDeleteAh! My husband is the same way! Heinz is it for him!
ReplyDeleteRed velvet.. I have not had a red velvet anything is SO long... Have a Happy Christmas..
ReplyDeletebox mixes are wonderful! I have a stash of a few different kinds in my pantry. i'm definitely not a sandra lee type but box cake mixes come out just as good, if not better, than every cake i've made from scratch. plus you can still play and add flavor and moisture to the cake however you like.
ReplyDeleteHere's wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI bet that cream cheese frosting is delicious with these cupcakes!
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays :)
~ Julius
from Occasional Baker
These are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I am all sweetened out from the holidays but these look so so yummy!! I am already thinking a head to a Super Bowl party that we are invited to where I was asked to bring a BIG plate of baked goodies. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteGrowing up, we always had red velvet cake (I am originally from North Carolina) and now I live in the Boston area, so, I miss it terribly. Thanks for reminding me that I needed to whip up some red velvet goodness soon!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Anne! Hope you had a Merry Christmas!! Happy New Year too!
ReplyDeleteThose look amazing! I have been so dissapointed with dry cupcakes so I am excited to try these!!
ReplyDeleteAnne, I came to your site (which is awesome) looking for the recipe for the red velvet cake you made us for Law Partners, and this is the closest I could find. Can you get me the other recipe?
ReplyDeleteI want you to know that I make your quiche often and still love it. Miss you!