Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups All purpose flour
  • 0.75 cup Granulated cane sugar
  • 0.5 tsp Baking soda
  • 1 tbsp Unsweetened natural cocoa powder
  • 0.5 tsp Fine sea salt
  • 0.75 cup Low-fat buttermilk (room temp)
  • 0.5 cup Neutral oil
  • 1 Large egg (room temp)
  • 1 tsp Distilled white vinegar
  • 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
  • 1.5 tsp Red food coloring gel
  • 8 oz Full fat cream cheese (slightly chilled)
  • 4 tbsp Unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1.5 cups Sifted powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 1 pinch Fine sea salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your muffin tin.
  2. Sift the 1.5 cups flour, 1 tbsp cocoa powder, 0.5 tsp baking soda, and 0.5 tsp salt into a large bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk the 0.75 cup sugar with the 0.5 cup oil until combined. Add the 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp vinegar, and 1.5 tsp red food coloring gel. Whisk until the mixture is vivid red and smooth.
  4. Pour the 0.75 cup buttermilk into the wet mixture. Whisk gently until the liquids are fully integrated.
  5. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Use a spatula to fold the ingredients together. Mix only until no streaks of flour remain.
  6. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 liners, filling them about two thirds full. Check that each cup has roughly the same amount for even baking.
  7. Slide the tin into the center rack of the oven. Bake for 20 minutes until the tops spring back when lightly pressed. A toothpick inserted should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Let the cupcakes sit in the tin for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack. Wait until they are completely cool to the touch before you even think about frosting.
  9. Beat the 8 oz cream cheese and 4 tbsp butter together until smooth. Gradually add the 1.5 cups powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Beat until the frosting is stiff and velvety.
  10. Pipe a generous swirl of the cheese frosting for an easy romantic dessert onto each cooled cupcake. Finish with a dusting of cocoa or red cake crumbs.