The Red Velvet cake has gained popularity because of its unique mix of flavors. These Red Velvet cupcakes with Pretzels Christmas tree are such a delicious treat to cap off your Christmas festivities.
Red Velvet Cupcakes With Pretzels Christmas Tree
The Red Velvet cake has gained popularity because of its unique mix of flavors. These Red Velvet cupcakes with Pretzels Christmas tree are such a delicious treat to cap off your Christmas festivities.
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RateServings: 14 people
Ingredients
Red Velvet Cupcakes
- 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter softened
- 1 cup Granulated White Sugar
- 2 medium Eggs
- 1 cup and 3 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 tablespoon Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1/4 cup Canola Oil
- 1 teaspoon Gel Red Food Coloring
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 teaspoon Distilled White Vinegar
Buttermilk Substitution
- 1/2 cup Whole Milk
- 2 teaspoons Distilled White Vinegar
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter softened
- 225 grams Cream Cheese softened
- 1 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract optional
Pretzels Christmas Tree
- 200 grams White Chocolate Compound melted
- 2 teaspoons Gel Green Food Coloring
- 2 tablespoons Sprinkles
Instructions
Pretzels Christmas Tree
- Start with the pretzels Christmas tree decoration. Place the chocolate in a bowl and melt it on double boiler. Remove the bowl from the boiler, and add the gel green food coloring. Whisk briskly until chocolate and food coloring are completely blended. Set aside and let it cool to room temperature.
- Place a baking or parchment paper on top of a baking tray. Draw triangles (as a guide for the Christmas tree shape), about 2 or 2 1/2-inches tall.
- Cut the Pretzels sticks to just the right length for it to be able to hold the trees. The Pretzel sticks act as the tree branch. Place one Pretzels stick on top of each triangle.
- Make a piping bag using a parchment paper. Fill half of the piping bag with melted chocolate. When piping, make sure that that melted chocolate keeps its thick consistency. If the chocolate starts to solidify, place it on the boiler again for few seconds.
- Pipe each triangle with the green melted chocolate making it look like a Christmas tree.
- Make sure to add the sprinkles on top of Christmas tree while the chocolate is still wet. Place the tray in a cool place and let it set for about 20-30 minutes.
Red Velvet Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius, using the bottom heat only.
- For the buttermilk substitution, combine whole milk and vinegar in a small bowl. Mix well and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.
- Place the butter and sugar in a medium bowl. Using a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together. It will take about 3-5 minutes to get a smooth and creamy texture.
- Add the eggs and continue to beat until light, fluffy.
- Using a spatula, fold in the flour. Put the half first. Continue folding until well combined.
- Add the remaining flour and continue to fold.
- Fold in the cocoa powder and baking powder. Continue to mix until well blended.
- Add the buttermilk and make sure it’s well incorporated.
- Add the canola oil and vanilla extract and mix slowly.
- Stir in the white vinegar. This will provide extra acid to help the baking soda optimize rising quality.
- Add the red food coloring and mix slowly until well combined.
- Place the cupcake papers into the cupcake pan.
- Fill the cupcake papers with 1/4 cup of the cupcake batter.
- Place the cupcake pan in the middle of the oven for even cooking and bake for 18-20 minutes.
- Let the cupcakes cool to room temperature.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Add the powdered sugar, fold it onto the mixture first before turning on the hand mixer.
- Continue to beat until the frosting is light, fluffy, and creamy. This will take about 3-5 minutes. Make sure there is no sandy texture of the powdered in sugar in the frosting. You want a smooth and creamy frosting.
Assembly
- Place the cream cheese frosting in a piping bag. Pipe the frosting on top of the cupcakes.
- Place the cupcakes on a tray and let the frosting chill for 10 minutes.
- Arrange the cupcakes on a serving tray and then place the Pretzels Christma tree on top.
Notes
- Make sure the double boiler is always on low heat. The chocolate solidifies easily, especially in a cold place.
- If you cannot find Pretzel sticks, you can also use breadsticks.
- Remove the Pretzels Christmas tree from the baking tray slowly and carefully.
- If buttermilk is available, no need for buttermilk substitution.
- I baked the red velvet cupcakes for 18 minutes. Make sure to set your timer for 18 minutes, if it needs more cooking then add 2 more minutes.
