red velvet cupcakes

katie and caroline are coming over tomorrow night for dinner to celebrate katie's birthday as well as meet wilson! for a birthday treat [what a good excuse!] we are having red velvet brownies! 


if you don't get southern living magazine, you should...though it may be "stuffy" at times the recipes are to die for!  in the december issue there were tons of great ideas! below is red velvet brownies with home made cream cheese frosting...amazing! 


what you need [for the brownies]...
1 (4 oz) bittersweet chocolate baking bar chopped up
3/4 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1-1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 oz bottle of red food coloring
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt


what to do...
preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  line the bottom of a 9x9 pan with foil so that you can get the brownies out of the pan.  lightly grease the foil.


microwave the chocolate and butter in a large bowl for 1-2 minutes or until melted/smooth stirring ever 30 seconds.  whisk in sugar.  add eggs one at a time.  gently stir in flour and next 4 ingredients.  pour mixture into the pan (foiled and greased).


bake for 44-48 minutes.  cool completely (2 hours) before removing from pan (if you rush this part they fall apart completely).


lift brownies from pan and frost with frosting (see below)...then finally cut them brownies and garnish if you'd like with white chocolate curls. 


what you need [for the frosting]...
8 ounces of softened cream cheese (1/3 less fat will do)
3 tbsp butter (softened)
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract


what to do...
beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with electric mixer until creamy.  gradually add powdered sugar and salt until blended...stir in vanilla.  works best with the hand mixer vs. kitchen aid stand mixer!