{red velvet} cupcakes

Over the weekend I decided to try and turn gluten free yellow cake mix (from the box) into red velvet cupcakes for my mom's birthday.  They were such a hit with everyone that I thought I'd share the recipe here too!  Here's what worked for me:

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• Yellow cake mix (I used this gluten free box)
• 1 package instant vanilla pudding
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (I used this one)
• 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 ounces red food coloring

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine all the ingredients together and mix for 4 minutes or until your batter is combined and medium weight.  Using cupcake liners, scoop batter till each liner is 3/4 of the way full.  Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  My batch made about 16 cupcakes.  Serve topped with your favorite cream cheese frosting.

Notes:

I was very happy with the rich red color of the cupcakes.  They really did come out the same brightness as in the photo above.  They were also light and fluffy.  The flavor was just sweet enough so I could add as much cream cheese frosting as I liked (and I like a lot ; ).  Everyone loved them, even Ryan which is a rarity.  Definitely going to have to make them again.  <3 Carrie