Red Velvet Cupcakes

Recipe courtesy of Meals The Best of Nestle Kitchen.
Preparation Time: 20 mins - Cooking Time: 18 mins  - Cooling Time: 20 mins cooling - Makes 22 cupcakes

Ingredients:

CUPCAKES-

2 1/2 cups cake flour

1/3 cup NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Baking Cocoa

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2/3 cup canola oil

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 to 2 tablespoons liquid red food coloring or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red gel-paste food coloring

1 cup lowfat buttermilk

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING-

4 ounces light cream cheese, at room temperature

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Candy sprinkles (optional)

Directions:

For Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350° F. Paper-line 22 muffin cups.

Sift flour, baking cocoa and salt together into a medium bowl. 

Whisk together sugar, oil and eggs in large mixer bowl until thoroughly combined. Whisk in food coloring. Gradually stir in flour mixture alternately with buttermilk (adding flour in three additions and buttermilk in two). Combine baking soda and vinegar in small bowl (it will foam); quickly fold into batter. Divide batter between paper cups, filling about 2/3 full.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until cupcake springs back when touched. Cool in pan for 10 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool completely.

For cream cheese frosting:
Beat cream cheese, butter, milk and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until light and fluffy, scraping bowl occasionally. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Pipe onto cupcakes; decorate with sprinkles.

Yummy!