Indulge in the guilt-free pleasure of Weight Watchers Red Velvet Cupcakes, each adorned with a mere 5 SmartPoints! These delectable treats boast a vibrant red hue, velvety soft texture, and a cloud-like fluffiness, all crowned with a luscious low-fat vanilla cream cheese frosting.

Exploring the Flavors of Red Velvet Cupcakes

The distinctive taste of Red Velvet cupcakes is a culinary adventure on its own. Infused with cocoa, these cupcakes flirt with the essence of chocolate cake but maintain a unique flavor profile. The crowning glory comes in the form of a vanilla cream cheese frosting that complements the cupcake’s essence flawlessly.

Ingredients Needed for Red Velvet Cupcakes:

Low-fat spread

Caster sugar

Egg

Cocoa powder

Red gel food coloring

Vanilla extract

Low-fat natural yogurt

Plain flour, sifted

Bicarbonate of soda

White wine vinegar

Skimmed milk

Ingredients for Frosting:

Low-fat soft cheese

Natural Greek yogurt

Icing sugar

Vanilla extract

How to Make These Culinary Masterpieces:

Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C fan/Gas 4 and line a muffin tin with 12 paper cases.

Begin by combining the spread and caster sugar in a mixing bowl. Use an electric whisk to beat the mixture until it turns pale and fluffy—this should take approximately 5 minutes.

Introduce the egg into the mix and continue beating until well combined.

Sift in the cocoa powder, add the red gel food coloring, and vanilla. Beat until the ingredients meld into a harmonious blend.

Gradually incorporate half of the yogurt and flour into the mix, beating well. Repeat this process with the remaining yogurt and flour until the batter achieves a fluffy consistency, taking about 2 minutes.

On a low speed, beat in the bicarbonate of soda and white wine vinegar. Gradually add enough milk to achieve a consistency where the mixture drops easily from a spoon.

Divide the batter among the paper cases, not to worry if they seem half full—the batter will rise during baking. Bake for 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted emerges clean. Once baked, cool in the tin briefly before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Trim the cake tops to level them, reserving some crumbs for later decoration.

Crafting the frosting involves combining soft cheese, yogurt, icing sugar, and vanilla in a bowl. Swirl the frosting onto the cupcakes with a piping bag or use a spoon for a delightful dollop on each cake. Sprinkle the reserved cake crumbs for a finishing touch.

FAQs:

What Gives Red Velvet Cupcakes Their Distinctive Red Color?

The unique red hue of these cupcakes is achieved through the addition of food coloring and cocoa powder. Interestingly, during wartime rationing, beetroot was used to keep cakes moist during baking, enhancing the color of the final product.