Red Velvet Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting

I first tried these cupcakes in New York at Magnolia Bakery made famous by Carrie Bradshaw on Sex in the City. They are really simple to make at home so thought I would share the recipe!

Makes around 24 cupcakes

For the Cakes:

500g plain flour
165g unsalted butter, softened
500g sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
6 tbsp Red Food Colouring*
3 tbsp unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1½ tsp vanilla extract
1½ tsp salt
330ml buttermilk
1½ tsp cider vinegar
1½ tsp baking soda

For the frosting:

6 tbsp plain flour
440ml milk
450g unsalted butter, softened
450g sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 180C/gas mark 4. In a small bowl, sift the plain flour. Set aside. In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about three minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Whisk together the red food colouring*, unsweetened cocoa powder and vanilla. Add to the batter and beat well. Stir the salt in with the buttermilk and add to the batter in three parts, alternating with flour. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are fully incorporated, but make sure you do not overbeat.

In a small bowl, stir together the cider vinegar and baking soda and add to the batter and mix well.

Divide the mixture into cases, then bake each tray of cakes for 20 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean.

Cool the cupcakes in the tins for 15 minutes. Remove from the tins and cool completely on a wire rack before mixing together the frosting ingredients and applying the icing.

You can finish off the cupcakes by dusting lightly with coco powder or add some red sprinkles.

*If you do not wish to use red food colouring you could consider other options such as beetroot.