the tastiest red velvet cupcakes in town

Valentine's day is right around the corner!  I bet your sweetie (or your kids/buddies/co-workers) would love some red velvet cupcakes.  I bet they'd especially appreciate some of the best red velvet cupcakes they've EVER tasted!

I served these at Carson's Birthday party and on many other occasions and they are always a hit!

This makes a huge batch (3 dozen +).  I always seem to need LOTS of cupcakes, but if you need less, adjust accordingly.  I thought about halving it for you, but I think you should probably make the full batch!

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups flour
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 2 tsp. salt
• 2 Tbs. unsweeted baking cocoa (I'm a major fan of Ghirardelli)
• 4 cups sugar
• 2 cups vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups buttermilk (I usually make my own by combining 2 cups milk with 2 Tbs. lemon juice.  Let it sit for 5 mins. and you've got buttermilk).
• 1.5 Tbs. vanilla extract
• 2 tsp. white vinegar
• 1 cup brewed hot coffee
• red food coloring (I love this food coloring, a little goes a long way)

DIRECTIONS

• preheat oven to 350
• combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa and salt
• in the bowl of your mixer (or a large bowl) combine sugar and oil.  Add eggs, buttermilk and vanilla and mix until combined
• stir in the coffee and vinegar
• add food coloring to reach desired color
• slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients a bit at a time, continually mixing
• pour/spoon the batter into cupcake tins (lined with your baking cups of choice)
• bake for about 20 mins. (until a toothpick comes out clean)
• let cool completely and frost with your favorite icing (I recommend cream cheese, here is my recipe!)

 I hope your sweeties enjoy these!

Oh, and if you're a richer chocolate fan, I'll post my chocolate cupcake recipe next!