Recipe: Green Velvet Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting (using cake mix)

GREEN VELVET CUPCAKES



"A green twist on classic red velvet, these cupcakes take basic cake mix to delicious new heights with the addition of Pure Vanilla Extract, green food color, sour cream and cocoa powder."

1 (18 1/4 ounces) package German chocolate cake mix with pudding
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 bottle green food color
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)
Green sprinkles (optional, for decorating)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Beat (dry) cake mix, sour cream, water, cocoa powder, oil, food color, eggs and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed just until moistened, scraping sides of bowl frequently. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes.

Pour batter into 24 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full.

Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire rack.

Frost with cream cheese frosting. Decorate with sprinkles, if desired.

VANILLA CREAM CHEESE FROSTING*
Makes 2 1/2 cups

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
2 tablespoons sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (16 ounce) box confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 teaspoon green food color

Beat cream cheese, butter, sour cream and vanilla in large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Stir in peppermint extract and green food color.

*One (16 ounce) container cream cheese frosting may be substituted for the Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract and 1/2 teaspoon green food color.

Makes 24 cupcakes
Adapted from source: McCormick