The Good Wife & Red Velvet Cupcakes

I'm sure by now you know how much I adore Sunday's.  They're reserved for time spent with family, and always begin with pancakes.  I'm living the dream!  Sunday's recently got even better.  I know, you're probably thinking, "better than pancakes, no way!"  Way.
Enter, my new favourite TV obsession, The Good Wife.  If you haven't seen this show yet, you must, no seriously.  I still need to go back and catch up on previous season's.  If these last few episodes are any indication, I have some great TV ahead of me.  The cast is phenomenal and the story lines are worth the 7 day wait.  In the meantime, I've now become a 're-watcher.'  Never before have I been the type to watch an episode more than once.  Well, that's no longer the case.  I have to thank KPM for introducing me to this gem.  I'd also like to nominate her to be president of The Good Wife fan club.  During one of our discussions about all things GW, she mentioned (joking??) she should start a blog on the show.  Yes, please!  Do it.  I then followed up by committing to feature recipes that relate back to each weeks episode.  So far I've kept my end of the bargain...still waiting (more hoping) for KPM to keep hers.  No pressure.

This weeks GW inspired recipe is Red Velvet Cupcakes.  Cupcakes made three appearances in episode 7.  So it's safe to say while watching, I was secretly full on craving one (too bad we ate all of R's birthday cupcakes on Friday...grrr.) To quote the show (or the cupcake connoisseur, Mr. Gordon Higgs) "I think it’s just the name, red velvet, it just makes it so desirable."  So true.   I've gone ahead and put a healthier spin on this treat. Yummy and moist and everything you want a cupcake to be (just not 497 calories worth Mr. Higgs)

I'm currently on 're-watch' number 3 as I nosh on this delicious treat.  I wonder what next weeks episode will yield.  Stay tuned to find out!

 

Red Velvet Cupcakes w/ Cream Cheese Frosting

(adapted from Food Network)
yields: 12 cupcakes

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 large egg
1 Tbsp red food coloring
1/2 tsp white distilled vinegar
1/2 tsp vanilla

Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup reduced fat cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla
chopped pecans & chocolate sprinkles for garnish

Method:
Preheat oven to 350F.  Line muffin tin with cupcake papers.

In medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder.  In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, applesauce, buttermilk, egg, food coloring, vinegar and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer.  Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.

Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins (2/3 filled).  Bake for 20-22 minutes,  turning the pan once, half way through.  Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.
***alternatively you can bake these in mason jars using 1/2 cup of batter for 20-25 minutes

For Cream Cheese Frosting:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and vanilla together until smooth.  Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated.  Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.

Frost cupcakes using a butter knife, or pipe it on with a big star tip.  Garnish with pecans & sprinkles.

Enjoy while watching TGW!