Vanilla, Red Velvet and Chocolate Cupcakes

 

These are more of my cupcakes I made the other day, which include vanilla with buttercream, chocolate with buttercream and red velvet with cream cheese.

The recipe for the chocolate cupcakes can be viewed here.

VANILLA cupcakes

(makes about 30)

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup canola oil (or vegetable or extra light olive oil)
• 1 cup buttermilk

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 °F and line a cupcake/muffin pan with cupcake liners.
   In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/4 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp salt. Set flour mix aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat 2 eggs with the whisk attachment on medium speed (15-20 seconds).
3. Add 3/4 cup sugar and continue to beat on medium speed.
4. Add vanilla and oil and beat on medium speed.
5. Reduce mixer speed to medium/low and slowly add about half of the flour mixture. Add half of the buttermilk, then the rest of the flour mix and the rest of the milk. Beat until just combined and smooth, scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl. The batter should be thin.
6. Pour batter into a lined muffin pan. Fill to about 1/2 full.
7. Bake for 12 -14 minutes. Let them cool in the pan for a couple minutes, then remove.

Red velvet cupcakes

(makes about 28 cupcakes):

Ingredients:

• 2 and 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 8 teaspoons natural unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup canola or vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs, room temperature and separated
• 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
• liquid or gel red food colouring
• 1 cup (120ml) buttermilk, room temperature

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line two 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners.
2. Sift the flour and cornstarch together to make sure it is evenly combined. Whisk this, along with baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
3. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy – about 1 minute. Add the sugar and beat on high speed for 2 minutes until creamed together fairly well. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Add the oil and beat on high for 2 minutes. The butter may look “piece-y” and not completely combine with the oil. This is normal and ok.
4. Add two egg yolks and the vanilla. (Set the egg whites aside.) Beat on medium-high speed until combined. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Beat in the vinegar and the food coloring– until you reach your desired color. I use 2 Tablespoons. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, and mixing each addition just until incorporated. Do not overmix. Whisk or beat the 2 egg whites until thick and foamy, about 3 minutes. Fold into cupcake batter with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. The batter will be silky and slightly thick.
5. Spoon batter into cupcake liners filling 1/2 – 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 20-21 minutes or until the tops of the cupcakes spring back when gently touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Don’t overbake; your cupcakes will dry out. Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Icing:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 cups icing sugar

Directions:

1. In bowl, beat cream cheese with butter; beat in vanilla. Beat in sugar in 2 additions until smooth.

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Adapted from:

• Canadian Living
• Natasha’s Kitchen
• Sally’s Baking Addiction