Red Velvet

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 ounces water
2 ounces red food coloring
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon baking soda

cream cheese frosting
1(8ounce)package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Directions
1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease 12 cupcake cups or line with paper liners.
2 Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
3 Add eggs and blend well.
4 Make a paste of cocoa and food coloring and add to the butter mixture.
5 Sift flour and salt together into this mixture.
6 One at a time, add the following ingredients: buttermilk, vanilla, and water.
7 In a small bowl, combine the vinegar and the baking soda. Fold it into the cake batter. Make sure it's incorporated, but don't beat it.
8 Pour the batter into the cupcake cups. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cake springs back when touched.
9 Remove from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes, then turn out of pan and onto a rack to finish cooling completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

Blend together the following:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Blend until smooth.