Easter Cupcakes

Today is Easter and we are going to see friends. Yesterday I decided to make cupcakes to take with us. Now, in about 24 hours I am leaving for Amsterdam and then off to South Africa and Zambia for an almost 3 week trip and I have yet to even begin packing. We are leaving in a couple of hours for Easter and I am going to try to get some packing done, but it may have to wait until I return home. I am a terrible packer. I would really prefer to bring my entire closet and bathroom with me when I go on a trip - god knows I've tried. It's not like I need to be all fancy and dressed up, why start that on vacation, but I get worried that I won't have what I need when I arrive. Packing is so overwhelming to me that I put it off and put it off (and even make cupcakes) until the very last minute when I then just throw everything in a bag and hope that it resembles something to wear when I arrive. Another issue I am facing on the trip is that as we speak it is snowing in Amsterdam and about 80 degrees in Africa. Hello! How I am supposed to pack for this situation.
Anyways, back to the cupcakes. My friend Mike has had a red velvet cake from a bakery near his house at most of his birthday bashes and he even brought two to Tami's and my 80s birthday party. It is to die for and I don't even like cake. I have seen some recipes for this cake here and there, but figured that I couldn't do it justice like that bakery. Well, yesterday I got a bug up my butt and decided to make it for Easter (seriously trying to avoid packing), however I don't have cake pans so I made the recipe into cupcakes instead.


The recipe called for 2 tablespoons of red food coloring. After 1 tablespoon it was so red that I didn't add anymore. Here they are, ready to be put in the oven. The batter was RED.


Here they are baking in the oven.



Here they are baked and frosted. Aren't they pretty. I must admit, they are delicious! The cream cheese frosting is so yummy. Mike, I think I can bring them to your birthday next month and you will be very, very happy.
See more pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkindelight/.
Now I am off to pack, maybe!