How To: Make red velvet Voodoo themed cupcakes

In this tutorial, learn how to make spooky voodoo inspired cupcakes. These are great for Halloween and any other party that needs a little funky factor.

Cupcakes:
You Will Need:
*3 1/3 cups cake flour (not self rising)
*3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
*2 1/4 cups sugar
*3 large eggs
*6 tbsp red food coloring
*3 tbsp unsweet cocoa
*1.5 tsp vanilla extract
*1.5 tsp salt
*1.5 cup buttermilk
*1.5 tsp cider vinegar
*1.5 tsp baking soda
Frosting:
*1 lb cream cheese, softened & cut into small pieces
*6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened & cut up
*1.5 tsp vanilla
*5 cups sifted confectioner's sugar

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 350

Step 2:
Grease, flour 3 muffin tins, add papers

Step 3:
Small bowl: sift flour & set aside. Large bowl: med. speed electric mixer, cream butter, sugar until light & fluffy. Add eggs, beat well.

Step 4:
Small bowl: Whisk food coloring, cocoa, vanilla. Add to batter & beat well.

Step 5:
In a cup, stir salt into the buttermilk. Add to batter in 3 parts, alternating with flour. Beat each addition.

Step 6:
Small bowl: Stir together vinegar & baking soda. Add to batter, mix well until batter is smooth.

Step 7:
Divide into prepared pans. Bake for 20 min. Let cool.

Frostings:
Cream Cheese:
Beat 8 oz cream cheese with 5 tbsp butter & 2 tsp. vanilla. Add 2 c powdered sugar until desired consistency.

Vanilla:
*1/4 c butter
*1/2 c milk
*1/4 c white shortening
*1/2 c granulated sugar
*1 tsp flour
*1/2 tsp vanilla
In small saucepan, add flour to milk, let boil. Cool. In med. sized bowl, blend butter & shortening for 4 min. Add sugar, beat. Add cooled flour & milk to mix. Add vanilla.