Valentines day Red Velvet Cupcakes

"Love is like the measles; we all have to go through it."

Jerome K.  Jerome

Its that wonderful time of year again! Now Valentines day is one of those very bitter sweet holidays that comes around every year. It is as pleasant as a kick in the teeth for boyfriends who have a bad memory and that woman with the 3 cats. But regardless of what you think or feel about love, we must all agree that nothing melts the heart like seeing an old couple holding hands (even if its because one of them can't walk properly) or a teenager having there first love (even if it is just the raging hormones). 

One of the trickiest things about Valentines day is figuring out the perfect gift for your partner. This is as easy as finding that needle in the hay! I know what your all thinking, chocolate, flowers and a nice dinner. I have a friend who has an absolutely amazing personality, I have known her since kindy and no one has a heart bigger than hers ( except maybe me). If her boyfriend sends her anything that even looks like flowers this year, the poor guy will become a thing of the past. A tip I can give to anyone looking to purchase a Valentines day gift this year is think about the person you are actually purchasing for and not the person in the advertisement who looks like she is going to faint with joy because her boyfriend bought her a bunch of flowers and red door perfume (yuck!). 

Do remember that the best gifts are the ones that come straight from the heart, its the thought and effort that counts. I know pigs will fly before a male bakes these cupcakes for his girlfriend but ladies do remember that the fastest way to a male's heart is through his stomach,get that apron on and start cooking.

Those of you who don't have a Valentine this year and think being showered with chocolates and luscious desserts is a thing for couples in love,STOP THAT RIGHT NOW! You are going to finish reading my post,get into your car,drive to woolworths,purchase the ingredients for this recipe, pick up a bottle of Moet,  rush back home and get started on making this the best Valentines day ever!! 

Red Velvet Cupcakes 

Ingredients :

-120g unsalted butter

-300g caster sugar

-2 large eggs

-20g cocoa powder

-40ml red food colouring

-1 tsp vanilla bean powder

-300g plain flour

-tsp salt 

-240ml buttermilk

-1 tbsp white wine vinegar

-1 tsp bicarbonate soda

Frosting Ingredients:

-100g unsalted butter

-600g icing sugar

-250g philadelphia cream cheese

- coloured sprinkles!

Instructions:

1-preheat oven to 190 degrees

2-Cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add through the eggs one at a time,beating thoroughly.

3-In a seperate, small bowl , stir together the cocoa powder, food colouring and vanilla essence to form a paste. Add the paste to the batter,mixing it through.

4- Add the flour and salt to the mixture,followed by the buttermilk, make sure to mix thoroughly to ensure there are no lumps in the mixture!

5-Finally,stir in the bicarbonate soda and vinegar until fully incorporated.

6-Spoon the mixture into cupcake cases, mine fit 12 cases perfectly but you can stretch it to make 16 by not filling them as much.

7-Bake in the oven for around 20 minutes or until the sponge bounces back when lightly pressed. Allow the cupcakes to cool before frosting them.

8- To make the frosting, beat the butter and icing sugar till smooth, add the cream cheese and beat together until everything is incorporated, it should be light,fluffy and absolutely delicious!

9- Sit back and enjoy being praised for your work by that special someone or enjoy them all to yourself!!!

P.S
To all the hopelessly romantic females reading this (myself included) I am sure you noticed the book I have used in the background "Love Letters Of Great Men", before you abuse your other half for not writing you love letters,remember that the men who wrote those letters in the book died, most of them over a thousand years ago. Save yourself the argument/ the googled love letter and accept the fact that men don't write poems or love letters,ever!!


Happy Valentines Day!!!!