Pink Velvet Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

• 1 white cake mix
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 1/3 cup water
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 egg whites room temperature
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3-4 drops pink food gel coloring
• 1/2 cup pink and purple sprinkles

Buttercream whipped frosting

• 1 cup or 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup shortening
• 5 tablespoons milk
• 2 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
• 4 cups confectioners sugar
• Toppings optional
• Sprinkles
• Candy hearts

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325F.
2. Line cupcake pans with cupcake liners and set it aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl whisk together, cake mix, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt.
4. With an electric hand mixer or a kitchen aid mix dry ingredients on low.
5. Slowly, add in water, sour cream, egg whites, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything has been combined.
6. Add 3 drops of pink food gel coloring to the cupcake batter, and mix.
7. Stir in sprinkles to the batter.
8. Pour or spoon batter into the lined cupcake pan. Make sure to only fill about 2/3 of the cupcake liner, since the batter will rise a bit.
9. Bake in preheated oven for 22 minutes or until the center is baked.
10. Remove from oven and allow to cool on a cooling rack.
11. While cupcakes are cooling, prepare the frosting.
12. With an electric hand mixer or a kitchen aid, mix together butter and shortening until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes.
13. Add in milk and vanilla extract.
14. Slowly, add in confectioners sugar a little at a time. If frosting is too thick you can add 1 teaspoon of milk until you have reached the texture you are looking for.
15. Mix frosting for another 3 minutes.
16. Add frosting to a piping bag and pipe cupcakes.
17. Top with sprinkles or candy hearts.
18. ENJOY!