Red Velvet Cupcakes

A while back I made a batch of Paula Deen's Red Velvet Cupcakes (without knowing the extent of her fame and her love for butter). With suggestions from reviewers, I altered the recipe a little bit and they turned out... great! Make sure you have an electric mixer for the frosting though... it took me 2 hours to make it non-lumpy by hand.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup applesauce (unsweetened)
• 1/2 cup butter (melted)
  
• 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 tbsp white vinegar mixed with enough milk to make 1 cup)
  
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting: (this makes a LOT of frosting)

• 1 pound cream cheese, softened
• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (the recipe called for 4 cups, but 3's enough)

Directions:

1. "Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
   
3. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, applesauce, butter, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer.
   
4. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.
5. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness.
   
6. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

For the cream cheese frosting:

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.
2. Garnish with chopped pecans and a fresh raspberry or strawberry."

Submitted by vefehrm