My Mom's Visit

Since I was having my bridal pictures taken this weekend my Mom decided it would be the perfect weekend to visit. My Mom lives in Florida (her retirement is rough - lol) which sure is a long way from Omaha so, I get pretty excited when she comes up. We had such a wonderful and productive weekend!

My Mom arrived late Friday night - too late for dinner but, not too late for dessert! So, we all enjoyed a Red Velvet cupcake! Red Velvet cake happens to be one of Kevin's and my Mom's favorites so it was an easy choice!

Here's Paula Deen's recipe:

Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
2 eggs
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 ounces red food coloring
2 1/2 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon vinegar

Direction:
Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, cream the sugar and butter, beat until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time and mix well after each addition.
Mix cocoa and food coloring together and then add to sugar mixture; mix well.
Sift together flour and salt.
Add flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk.
Blend in vanilla.
In a small bowl, combine baking soda and vinegar and add to mixture.
Pour batter into cupcake pans.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove from heat and cool completely before frosting.

Even though Paula's recipe recommends cream cheese icing, the *only* icing Kevin and my Mom like is buttercream - so, that's the one I made. I'm not sure where this recipe is from, it's just been in my recipe box forever.

Ingredients:
1/4 Cup Solid Vegetable Shortening
1/4 Cup Butter
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 Cups Powdered Sugar
1 Tablespoon Milk

Directions:
Cream the butter and shortening with an electric mixer.
Add the vanilla.
Gradually add the sugar, beating well.
When all the sugar has been well mixed, the icing will appear dry.
Add the milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.


Since I was busy baking away, my awesome friend Lindsay iced the cupcakes for us! She is an absolute doll! :) I completely forgot about the sprinkles until the icing had already hardened so, they didn't really stick. Oh well, they were still tasty!