Georgetown Cupcake's AND Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

The Secret to Georgetown Cupcake's AND Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

 

• 3 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 4 tablespoons no-taste red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder, sifted
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

FROSTING RECIPE

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (for the frosting)
• 4 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted (for the frosting)
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for the frosting)
• 6 ounces cream cheese (for the frosting)

Instructions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a standard cupcake pan with 12 paper baking cups, or grease the pan with butter if not using baking cups.
2. Sift together the flour and salt, and set aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, or in a bowl with a handheld electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar at medium speed for 3–5 minutes or until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing slowly after each addition.
5. Using a whisk, whisk together the red food coloring, vanilla and cocoa powder. Slowly add this into the mixer bowl until well incorporated.
6. Add a third of the flour, followed by a third of the milk, and mix. Repeat. Stop to scrape down the bowl as needed. Add the last third of the flour, followed by the last third of the milk, and mix until incorporated.
7. In a small bowl, add the baking soda to the apple cider vinegar. You will see the baking soda and vinegar fizz up! Mix thoroughly and add this reaction to the batter. Mix until just incorporated.
8. Using a standard-size ice cream scoop, scoop the batter into a cupcake pan so each well is two-thirds full. Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

FROSTING RECIPE ***

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (for the frosting)
• 4 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted (for the frosting)
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for the frosting)
• 6 ounces cream cheese (for the frosting)

For the frosting, place all frosting ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat until well combined. Be sure to beat on high speed at the very end for at least two minutes to ensure that the frosting is light and fluffy.

***With only ONE ingredient addition, this recipe can be transformed into 10 different frostings:

1. Chocolate Frosting - Add 1/2 cup of melted (and cooled) semi-sweet chocolate chips.

2. Lemon Frosting - Add the juice and zest of 2 lemons.

3. Lime Frosting - Add the juice and zest of 3 limes.

4. Orange Frosting - Add the juice and zest of 1 orange.

5. Mocha Frosting - Add 1/4 cup of cold coffee.

6. Peanut Butter Frosting - Add 1/4 cup of creamy peanut butter.

7. Maple Frosting - Add 1/4 cup of maple syrup.

8. Cinnamon Frosting - Add 2 tsp of ground cinnamon.

9. Mint Frosting - Add 2 tsp of peppermint extract.

10. Toffee Frosting - Add 1/4 cup of crushed toffee candy bar

This was found here http://magazine.foxnews.com/recipe/secret-georgetown-cupcakes-vanilla-cream-cheese-frosting