I have officially become domesticated. There have been little signs along the way that this transition was taking place, but I believe it is now official. When I bought my first hostess apron from Etsy, that was a sign. When Fly Lady and Recipezaar took over Entertainment websites on my list of favorites, that was a sign. When I traded in my Nissan Maxima for a minivan, that was yet another sign. The final nail in the coffin of domestication came this weekend when I was in charge of coordinating our church bake sale. Yep…what says getting older, mom and domestication better than a church bake sale?
The theme for our bake sale was “Give a Little Love”. The ladies in our parish were encouraged to make up treats that would fit the “Give a Little Love” theme. We had frosted heart shape cookies, heart shaped cakes, heart shaped brownies, and a whole slew of heart sprinkled goodies.
I decided to make Red Velvet Cupcakes for my contribution. What says love like a nice, moist, red cupcake topped with a generous amount of cream cheese frosting? Sounds like love to me!
Here’s the recipe from Recipezaar if you’d like to share the love too.
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 ounces water
- 2 ounces red food coloring
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- cream cheese frosting
- 1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease 12 cupcake cups or line with paper liners.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs and blend well.
- Make a paste of cocoa and food coloring and add to the butter mixture.
- Sift flour and salt togethr into this mixture.
- One at a time, add the following ingredients: buttermilk, vanilla, and water.
- In a small bowl, combine the vinegar and the baking soda. Fold it into the cake batter. Make sure it's incorporated, but don't beat it.
- Pour the batter into the cupcake cups. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cake springs back when touched.
- Remove from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes, then turn out of pan and onto a rack to finish cooling completely.
- Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Blend together the following: 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.
It’s true, you’re fully tamed now…I like the aprong best!
I love red velvet cupcakes and plan on making them wednesday for Valentine’s Day. 🙂
You have inspired my Valentine’s Day treats!
haha! this post made me chuckle. yes, the final nail in the coffin in organizing the church bake sale, but at least its a fun and sugary nail.
I am highy intrigued by this red velvet stuff. I read about it in US cake books (like in Baking from the Heart) but I never made one myself. I have some red food colour that I thought I could only use for Christmas, but now I know I do not have to wait. The cupcake virus is spreading fast…but it’s of the good kind…
I am highly intrigued by this red velvet stuff. I read about it in US cake books (like in Baking from the Heart) but I never made one myself. I have some red food colour that I thought I could only use for Christmas, but now I know I do not have to wait. The cupcake virus is spreading fast…but it’s of the good kind…
hahaha well, this does sound like a delightful way to be domesticated… but then again, I´m easily bribed, a yummy cupcake and I´m good to go.
You are one chic and groovy domestic goddess. Rock on! 🙂
Welcome to the world of domestication!!:))About time!! Actually,as I got and kids got older,I switched to minivan to SUV!Feels so good!!Next Nissan XTerra!;D
Cup cakes look great!
Hey–you may be tamed, but like any wild animal, there’s a free spirit in you that will come out just when you need it. :):) Besides, there are benefits to being domesticated–you get first crack at all the great bake sale stuff, I bet.
The cupcakes are FABULOUS! I love red velvet cake. And the hearts? Sweet!
You ought to check out the apron that Ali sells on her blog "something so clever" it’s great!
I was going to do a post on these — I think yours are gorgeous — but I am running out of time.
Lovely! Congrats on becoming domesticated!
Domestication isn’t so bad, especially if it comes with kids and a hubby and a cute apron. Some of my best friends were ones I met at a bake sale These cupcakes look soooo good.
Brilynn – Tamed… I like that word, I think!
Elizabeth – I love red velvet too. Hope yours turn out good on Wednesday!
Anne – Glad I could provide some inspiration 🙂
Connie – I can just picture that wonderful coffin… not so bad when you look at it that way.
Marieke – I’m glad you’ve caught the bug…let me know how you like the Red Velvet if you make them!
Marce – I can be bribed with cupcakes too… mmmmm!
KB – You are too funny! Thanks!
Asha – I think I’ve been here for awhile, but I’m just now admitting to it,
Sher – You are so right… I got my pick of the best stuff to bring home!
Barbara – Too funny! I need to get that.
Mimi – I hope you get to post about them…I’m sure yours will be awesome.
Elle – I agree. I can embrace this and I am happy about that!
I’m part British, so I extend my royal powers as such and deem you the "Queen of Domesticity"! Those cupcakes look fabulous, I wish they would invent a monitor like the one in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", where you can reach in and pull out the cupcake. 🙂
This is so funny – I just bought all the fixings to make Red Velvet Cupcakes too! I don’t have a back sale though, I just want to make something for Valentine’s Day. My co-workers are going to score.
I’d never think of red velvet cake to make on Valentine’s day – because I’ve never actually tasted it. But, my God, how silly not to think of them – they look gorgeous! I hope your bake sale went well! =)
Uh-oh! I have 3 aprons already…yikes! 🙂 Those cupcakes look perfect for Valentines!
These are lovely, Kristen!
It’s time I baked my first red velvet cake!
wonderful little cupcakes, I like those hearts on top. I’m about to buy a cute apron, does that mean I’m going to be domesticated too?
Hmmm…karma again! Jeff at C is for Cooking also did a red velvet cake with little hearts all over it. It’s very neat.
I love cupcakes. Just the right amount of cake and a little icing to satisfy the sweet tooth.
Kristen, you make domestication look cool! I hope I get "domesticated" soon! 😉
Cupcakes look yummy, btw!!!
Hi Kristen!
I think it’s wonderful you are getting more and more domesticated – I think my boyfriend was worried that I don’t have any potential and is happy I am a regular reader of your blog. Maybe you’ll rub off on me. 🙂
mmm, cupcakes. yep, bake sale does indeed equal domestication. i don’t know if i’m looking forward to being domesticated or not, but at least i have a good example to look to!
That is certainly a well laid out trail to domestication!
Great cup cakes.