christmas cupcakes

Mmm. Red Velvet Cupcakes are the best cupcakes in the book. The recipe used is from Tennessee Tables and I will post it tomorrow!  You can dress them up for Christmas, Valentine's Day or just have them the ordinary way. Merry Christmas everyone!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup shortening, 2 cups sugar, 4 eggs, 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 4 tablespoons cocoa, 1 cup buttermilk- divided, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 4 tablespoons red food coloring, Frosting for Red Velvet Cake (recipe follows)

Directions for cake:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three 9-inch cake pans. Cream butter, shortening, and sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Combine flour, soda, salt, and cocoa, and gradually add to butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Add vanilla and food coloring. Blend well. Pour into pans and bake 25 to 30 minutes. If you are making cupcakes, back for 22 minutes! Cool and frost. 

Frosting ingredients & Directions:

1 (16 ounce) box confectioners' sugar, 1 cup margarine (softened), 1 teaspoon vanilla, 4 tablespoons whipping cream.

Blend confectioners' sugar, margarine, vanilla, and cream with mixer until smooth and fluffy. Additional cream may be needed to achieve fluffy consistency. Frost layers and assemble.