Thursday, July 1, 2010

Red Velvet Cupcakes And A Day That Only Comes Once A Year!!






Okay, guess what today is? No, I'm not talking about the 4th of July or Canada Day. This day only comes once a year...It usually involves cakes and candles...Sometimes there are balloons and streamers...Got it yet? Nope? Well, what if I tell you that it is one person's special day that comes once a year? Now? Well, I'll just tell you!! Today, July 1st, is my birthday!! :D I'm turning, what I think is a weird number, 19 years old! The last year in the teen years. Boy do I feel old.....JKJK But really, I can't believe I'm already 19 years old. It seems like it was yesterday when I was sitting in my living room watching my top 3 Disney movies of all time: "The Lion King", "Aladdin" and "Mulan". Then there is Toy Story. Sadly to say, I haven't seen the third movie yet but every time I hear the song from Toy Story, "You've Got a Friend In Me", I think about my childhood.

Anyway, so I'm turning 19 years old, but what's special about 19 years old? when you turn 16, you can get your license. When you're 17, you get to see Rated R movies. When you're 18, you're legal. When you're 20, you're out of the teen years. When you're 21, you are at the legal age to drink and what not. BUT, what is special about 19? I guess I'll find out this year. Today will be filled with hanging out with some of my good friends from High School, watching a movie, eating at the Cheesecake Factory and whatever I may want to do. I'm prepared to do anything. Well....maybe not everything.....

So, what goes better with birthdays than cake?! What is better than cake than CUPCAKES!! That's what I made today, just for my birthday. So how did I decide on Red Velvet for my birthday? Well, I have yet to find a great vanilla cake recipe (which is my favorite), but I wasn't craving chocolate cake either. Thus, I have made Red Velvet Cupcakes. I think it's really a combination of a vanilla cake and a chocolate cake. It has a slight hint of both chocolate and vanilla without them overpowering one another. Plus, I have found that there has been a craze over Red Velvet Cupcakes for some reason. So here goes. I made my Red Velvet Cupcakes, piped them on with cream cheese frosting, sprinkled them with red sugar and topped it with a birthday candle. Does this scream "Birthday" or what...Maybe it screams 4th of July because of the blue candle...but NO! It's my birthday. haha.

I actually won't be posting the recipe for my Red Velvet Cupcakes. Sorry!! I'll explain. I actually want to open a Cupcake Shop and so will my Cupcake Shop be successful if my recipes for them are posted on the web? I think not. You see, if my cupcake recipes are posted on the web, why would anyone want to go to my shop if they can make it at home? I have already perfected my Red Velvet Cupcake recipe and I can't find it in me to post it. Don't be sad though!! I have decided that I will meet you guys half way. I'll find recipes that are close to mine but are not the same. Sounds good? kk. Here's a similar recipe!

Red Velvet Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
10 ounce cake flour (about 2 1/2 cups)
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons red food coloring (about 1 ounce)

Frosting:
5 tablespoons butter, softened
4 teaspoons buttermilk
1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar (about 1 pound)
1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°.

To prepare the cupcakes, place 24-30 (depending on how big you want your cupcakes to be) paper muffin cup liners in muffin cups; coat with cooking spray.

Weigh or lightly spoon cake flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine cake flour, unsweetened cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; stir with a whisk. Place granulated sugar and unsalted butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 3 minutes). Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture and 1 1/4 cups buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Add white vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, and food coloring; beat well.

Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes on wire rack; remove from pan. Cool completely on wire racks.

To prepare frosting, beat 5 tablespoons butter, 4 teaspoons buttermilk, and cream cheese with a mixer at high speed until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar; beat until smooth. Add 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla; beat well. Spread frosting evenly over cupcakes.

Red Velvet Cupcake on Foodista
-Aaron John
My Food Outings: AJ's Food Adventure
Facebook Fan Page

35 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday AJ!

    19 wasn't a bad number. 20 is a little more exciting. But it is the last teen years. Enjoy it!

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  2. Happy Birthday!
    Have a great one... :) Enjoy the last of your 'teen' years.

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  3. happy bday AJ...lucky u are only 19 and i shall not even mention how old old i feel compared 2 u.
    i have tried red velvet cakes so many times, but i never get the red colour..i wonder y

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  4. Happy Birthday!!
    I agree, 19 is weird, and I wasn't too excited for my 19th. Turns out, my whole 19th year was one of the best of my life! Enjoy it cause someday you'll wish you could be a 'teen' again!

    Your cupcakes look yummy, by the way!

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  5. I love red velvet cupcakes! Hope you have a great birthday :)

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  6. happy birthday! and i think being 19 wasn't too bad. 20 does sound better than 19..but enjoy it before u turn, gasp, 30!

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  7. the cupcakes look great~ fair enough about the recipe but I would def visit your cupcake shop one day! Happy 19th birthday! I didn't think you were that young, enjoy it while it lasts! LOL I swear I was just 18 the other day... lol

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  8. Happy belated birthday AJ. I wish I can be 19 now :) Enjoy your birthday to the fullest!

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  9. Rick: Thanks!! :DD I'm def. going to enjoy this last teen year!

    Michael Toa: Thank you!! This year will be a blast. I can already feel it.

    An Open Book: Thanks! haha. I'm a youngster. It takes quite a bit of coloring to make the red velvet cupcake red. I used the whole bottle of red food coloring. Maybe the food coloring gels work better?

    Jessica: Thanks a bunch. I already wish I am younger. haha. I kind of don't like getting old.... lol.

    baking.serendipity: Thank you so much!! I def. had a blast during my birthday.

    hannah: Thanks!! haha. I don't want to turn 30! I'm afraid of that. Bahaha

    Le: Yay!! Thanks!! Im very young. haha. I'm a youngster. A couple months ago, someone thought I was 12.

    ICook4Fun: Thanks!! I def. did enjoy my birthday!!

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  10. Happy belated bday AJ! If that makes you feel "less old" I have seen your top 3 Disnesy movies when I was already a grown up! My bday is coming up soon too and the number is muuuuch higher than yours (but I don't feel old:))

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  11. Happy bday! So, you're cancer too! Hope you enjoyed your bday. Your red velvet cupcake is beautiful the red hue is perfect!

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  12. Happy belated birtday!
    Thanks for visiting my food blog.

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  13. A bit late.. but HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Thanks for dropping by my blog.

    You got to watch Toys3! It's heart-warming. Hah. And omg, a cupcake shop?! That's so cool. I am hoping to open a bakery one day too.. :p

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  14. Sara: Thanks a bunch! You made me feel better about my age. haha

    Taga_Luto: Thank you!! Yup! I'm a cancer!! My B-day was great!

    Little Inbox: Thanks! :D

    Eva: Thanks for stopping by! I actually didn't see Toy Story 3. I went to see "The Last Airbender" because I was a fan of the cartoon anime. The movie was HORRIBLE. haha. Should've watched Toy Story. lol.

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  15. hi AJ
    hope you had a great birthday!! those cupcakes look incredible..what a wonderful way to celebrate
    Dennis

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  16. Oh wow, happy belated birthday AJ! Love the wee photo timeline - so clever! Can't believe you are only 19 and already an accomplished baker and blogger. Well done mate! :)

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  17. Happy belated birthday, A.J.! Somehow, I have a strong feeling that your 19th year will distinguish itself fabulously. It just seems inevitable!
    :) Hope you had a spectacular day,
    Jane

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  18. Happy belated birthday, AJ! Your red velvet looks awesome. :)

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  19. Hope you had a great birthday! 19 is a good year for everyone where I live, because we are close to Canada and you can drink in Canada when you're 19 and go to the casino. :o) But it's awesome that you are already a successful blogger at 19! Congrats. :o)

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  20. Happy Belated Birthday AJ!

    19? Oh to be that age again! Enjoy life to the fullest. Every day is a blessing. I love these cupcakes and your photo's too!

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  21. Happy birthday AJ! Hope you had a fantastic birthday.

    It's so great that you are so young and so into food and cooking! :)

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  22. Chef Dennis: Thank you! :D I def. had a great birthday!!

    Nessie: Thank you so much!! :)

    Jane: Thanks!! :D My 19th year has turned out to be really fun so far!!

    Thip: Thanks a bunch!! :D

    Amanda: Thanks!! I totally forgot about that in Canada! I live somewhat near Canada. I live in Seattle so it isn't too far away!!

    Cyndy: Thank you!! I definitely am trying to live life to the fullest as best I can!

    April: Thanks!! I did have a fantastic birthday. Food and cooking is def. my passion in life!

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  23. Happy Belated Birthday! Bummer to hear The Last Airbender was bad, I guess I'll have to make a point to wait until it comes out on video. I don't think I remember anything great happening for me in the last year. I'm halfway through 20 though and still nothing major. Maybe 19 and 20 are just holding out for 21? I guess I'll find out.

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  24. Red velvet cupcakes sound like perfect for a 19th birthday! A happy belated birthday :)

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  25. I hope you had a very happy birthday! Your cupcake looks delicious :)

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  26. 12 yrs old?! hahaha It's okay, it comes with the whole filipino thing. The majority of us look younger than we are. I always get mistaken for a 15-16 yr old. It sucks! Once this checkout girl at a supermarket (who was probably younger than me) mistook me for a young girl and asked where my mum was and why a little girl like me was doing the shopping by myself. Unfortunately she caught me at a really bad time (I was hungover and not in the mood) so she got quite a response back. woops.

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  27. Billy: Thanks!! Yeah, def. don't go and watch the movie. The effects were good but if you followed the cartoon, you'll be disappointed at how the whole movie didn't follow the events in the cartoon.

    Lawyer Loves Lunch: Thank you!! Red Velvet def. was a good choice to make! :)

    Scrambledhenfruit: Thanks!! I did have a great birthday :D

    Le: Haha. YUP!! 12!! But, I think it's great!! I still pay the child price for EVERYTHING!! Movies, Mini-golf, bus fare. Looking young has its perks!! lol. I see it as this way. When we are older than we are now, we'll look 10 yrs younger!! Woot Woot!! and Poor supermarket girl!! haha!

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  28. Happy Belated birthday AJ! These red velvet cupcakes look delicious :) And enjoy being 19!!

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  29. Happy Belated Birthday! What better way to celebrate then with cupcakes? And that one totally got what it deserved!

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  30. Happy belated Birthday AJ!!! Sorry we learned about each others blogs after the fact haha. celebrating with red velvet officially makes you the coolest 19 year old guy i know. so maybe thats what is so special about 19 ;)

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  31. Evan B: Thank you and I will! :)

    Anna: Thanks a bunch!! :D

    La Lola: Thanks!! I know right?! I'm glad I found your blog. Red velvet cupcakes make any one cool :)

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  32. Hi!
    I stumbled upon your blog through foodgawker. thanks for sharing this recipe. I love red velvet cupcakes. I might try to do this over the weekend. keep it coming!

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  33. Jaja: Thanks for stopping by! :D I definitely will keep it coming!

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  34. What a lovely treat! Your red velvet cupcakes look so perfectly baked!

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Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! :)

-Aaron John

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