Red Velvet Cupcakes

Nothing says "HOLIDAY" like red velvet...am I right, or am I right? :)

We had our Christmas party at church last week, and one of the delicious treats I took to share were these cupcakes.

I make this next statement with seriousness eeking out of my fingertips; these are my favorite cupcakes in the entire world. My friend, Casey, has a sister who makes fan-stinking-tastic red velvet cupcakes, and for years now I thought hers took the cake (literally). Sorry to say, Casey, but your sis is going to have to step up her game to beat off these little devils. (I mean that in the nicest way, Case. You know I love ya.)

Ladies. Gentlemen. Take this recipe. Bake. Share with the world. World will be happier. Love will spread. Life will be good.

What You Need

1 pkg. red velvet cake mix

1 pkg. JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding

1 pkg. Cream Cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 pkg. (16 oz.) powdered sugar (about 4 cups)** The recipe calls for 4 cups, but I actually only used 3 cups. It was plenty sweet!!**

1 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

Make it
1. Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on package for 24 cupcakes, blending dry pudding mix into batter before spooning into prepared muffin cups. Cool.
2.Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Gradually beat in sugar. Whisk in COOL WHIP. Spoon 1-1/2 cups into small freezer-weight resealable plastic bag; seal bag. Cut small corner off bottom of bag. Insert tip of bag into top of each cupcake to pipe about 1 Tbsp. frosting into center of cupcake.
3.Frost cupcakes with remaining frosting. . Keep refrigerated.
I garnished my cupcakes with these festive and edible snow flakes that Erin had put in my birthday box of presents. You could also shave little curls of white chocolate, use sprinkles, or create (or purchase) cupcake toppers. Of course, the cupcake is mind blowing enough on it's own...it doesn't really need anything else. :)

warning: These cupcakes are like crack. Eat one and you are addicted. Andre ate five in one day. If you know Andre, you know that him eating FIVE in one day would be the equivalent of me going without crafting for a year. If I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't have believed it.

Enjoy.