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May was a weird month. I’ve mentioned already how busy it was, which caused me to neglect my updating, but there was also a random element that kept popping up, again and again. What was this, you ask? Red velvet cupcakes. How weird is that?

From the very first day of May, when my husband and I went out to dinner to celebrate our anniversary, until the last weekend when we were out of town to visit family, red velvet cupcakes were a continuing theme throughout the month. It included everything from samples, to a freebie on our anniversary dinner, to mentions on tv and even in books. So, I took it upon myself to find a recipe and give them a try. Obviously something was trying to tell me something, right?

I decided to try Paula Deen’s recipe, because hers was one of the above-mentioned TV shows that aired during the month. In the review section it’s suggested to use less oil, which I did, and I also added in a full tablespoon of cocoa since a teaspoon just seemed useless to me.

The cupcakes were good, not too oily thanks to cutting the amount of oil in half, but I’m still not sure what the appeal of red velvet is other than the cool color. They tasted like plain cupcakes, despite the cocoa, though the cream cheese frosting is delicious. I also used chopped walnuts instead of pecans because that’s what I had on-hand.

Recipe below the cut! Read More

I love the combination of sweet and tangy, especially when it comes to baking. When I saw this recipe for Black Bottom Cupcakes making the rounds last summer, I immediately checked my cupboards to make sure I had the ingredients, thanked the universe that I did, and then made them.

They are very good, but I found that the cream cheese and chocolate seemed to fade into each other, without getting a kick of flavor out of either one. The next time I make these I’m going to play around a little bit and maybe add some sour cream to the cream cheese mix to see if that’ll bring it up a bit.

The cupcakes stayed moist in the fridge with plastic wrap and were devoured within two days. This particular version of the recipe comes from Worth Her Salt.

Black Bottom Cupcakes

1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/3 c sugar
1/8 t salt
1 c miniature semisweet chocolate chips

1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 c sugar
1/4 c cocoa powder
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 c water
1/3 c vegetable oil
1 T cider vinegar
1 t vanilla extract

~ Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tins with paper cups or lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.

~ In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, egg, 1/3 cup sugar and 1/8 teaspoon salt until light and fluffy. Stir in the chocolate chips and set aside.

~ In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Make a well in the center and add the water, oil, vinegar and vanilla. Stir together until well blended. Fill muffin tins 1/3 full with the batter and top with a dollop of the cream cheese mixture.

~ Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes.

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