Red Velvet Cupcakes with Mascarpone Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients

• ¼ cup (2 ounces) red food coloring
• 3 ½ tablespoons high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1 ¾ cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups cake flour
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• + 14 more ingredients
• • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) cream cheese at room temperature
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) mascarpone (Italian cream cheese, available at most grocery stores)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla or mint extract
  • Crushed peppermint candy for garnish (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease jumbo muffin cups (3 1/2 inches in diameter and 2 inches deep) with butter or cooking spray, and lightly flour them, knocking out the excess flour, or line them with baking papers. 2. In a small bowl, stir the food coloring and cocoa powder together to make a...

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