For the love of cupcakes!!!!!!!!!!

I am a cupcake lover. Not your typical grocery store bought cupcake, but a nice little bakery type of cupcake.

We were recently in Savannah, GA and happen to stumble upon one of the aforementioned little shops. The display window was decorated with an assortment of beautifully displayed cupcakes. There were vanilla ones, chocolate ones, banana ones, and strawberry. I of course opted for the vanilla.

OMG! One bite and I was done for. I have always wanted to bake beautiful cupcakes. So, on my quest to knock another "to do" off my bucket list, I have decided to bake some cupcakes this week.

The following is the recipe I will attempt this week. I will surly let you know how it goes...... Yummy!

P.S.
Did I mention that I am trying shed some pounds?! Oh well! Enjoy!

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting

Cupcakes
makes 36 cupcakes / 350 degree oven

3-3/4 cups cake flour
1/4 cups cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder or 1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter
3/8 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups buttermilk
3 teaspoons vinegar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 ounce red food coloring paste
2-1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cups butter
3 eggs

1. preheat oven to 350°F
2. sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder (or cream of tarter), and salt into medium bowl
3. whisk buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla, and food coloring in small bowl to blend
4. beat sugar and butter in large bowl until well fluffy, 3 minutes
5. add eggs 1 at a time, beating until well blended after each addition, about 30 seconds
6. beat in dry ingredients in 4 additions alternately with buttermilk mixture in 3 additions
7. scoop into cupcake tins
8. bake cupcakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 minutes
9. cool in pans 10 minutes
10. cool completely on racks

Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting

12 ounces or 1-1/2 packages of Philly cream cheese
1/2 stick butter
4-5 cups sifted powdered sugar
seeds of 1/2 vanilla bean
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. bring cheese and butter to room temperature by letting it sit out for 1 or 2 hours
2. sift powdered sugar into a bowl or onto parchment
3. beat butter and cheese at medium speed until creamy
4. add 4 cups of the sugar and beat until combined
5. add vanillas and beat until combined
6. add more sugar until you get to the consistency and sweetness you like

Assembly

1. pipe a swirl of cream cheese frosting on each cooled cupcake