Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting For the cupcakes: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cocoa powder 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature 2 large eggs, room temperature 2 tablespoons red food coloring 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For the Cream Cheese Frosting: 1 pound cream cheese, softened 2 sticks butter, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar Chopped pecans and fresh raspberries or strawberries, for garnish For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers. In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined. 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. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting. For the Cream Cheese Frosting: 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. Garnish with chopped pecans and a fresh raspberry or strawberry.

Self-Filled Cupcakes 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup white sugar 1 egg 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), or to the temperature recommended on the cake mix package. Prepare chocolate cake mix according to package directions, but do not bake. In separate bowl cream together cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg until well blended, then stir in chocolate chips. Line cupcake tins with cupcake papers. Fill 2/3 full with chocolate cake batter. Add 1 teaspoon cream cheese mixture to the center, and top with more cake batter. Bake according to package directions for cupcakes. Cool and frost with chocolate or cream cheese frosting.

A creative way for anybody to design elegant cupcakes. (even kids!) Design-your-own Cupcakes Ingredients: - box of instant pudding mix (any flavor) - box of cake mix (any flavor) - ingredients required ^ - 1/2 cup of add-ins (fruit, nuts, or chocolate chips) - 1 can frosting (any flavor) Directions: Mix pudding mix and cake mix in a large bowl. Follow directions on box to make batter. Add in add-ins carefully. Pour into paper-lined cupcake pans and bake to directions on box. Let cool. Frost and serve!