Red Velvet Cupcakes

I know it is the New Year and everyone is on the health bandwagon, so here is a lightened version of Red Velvet Cupcakes.  My family didn’t even notice that they have less calories and fat; all they noticed was how tasty they are.  So when you need a little something sweet these should fit the bill nicely.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Cupcakes:

Cooking Spray

10 ounces cake flour (about 2 ½ cups)

3  tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

1  teaspoon baking soda

1  teaspoon baking powder

1  teaspoon kosher salt

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

6  tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

2  large eggs

1 ¼ cups nonfat buttermilk

1 ½ teaspoons white vinegar

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

2  tablespoons red food coloring (about 1 ounce)

Frosting:

5 tablespoons butter, softened

4 teaspoons nonfat buttermilk

1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened

3 ½ cups powdered sugar (about 1 pound)

1 ¼ teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. To prepare the cupcakes, place 30 paper muffin cup liners in muffin cups; coat with cooking spray.

3. Weigh or lightly spoon cake flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine cake flour, unsweetened cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; stir with a whisk. Place granulated sugar and unsalted butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 3 minutes). Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture and 1 ¼ cups nonfat buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Add white vinegar, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla, and food coloring; beat well.

4. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes on wire rack; remove from pan. Cool completely on wire racks.

5. To prepare frosting, beat 5 tablespoons butter, 4 teaspoons nonfat buttermilk, and cream cheese with a mixer at high speed until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar; beat until smooth. Add 1 ¼ teaspoons vanilla; beat well. Spread frosting evenly over cupcakes.

YIELD: 30 cupcakes (serving size:1 cupcake)

CAL 205; FAT 7.3 ; PRO 2.3g; FIBER 0.3g; CHOL 34mg; FIBER 0.3g

HINTS:

·          Just follow the directions J

·          Make sure cupcakes are completely cool before frosting

·          Store leftovers (if any) in refrigerator

Source: Cooking Light Magazine