Is red velvet cake even good? Um, YES!

An article caught my eye on Yahoo! this evening regarding red velvet cake. The headline that intrigued me was about what most people leave out of their cakes. This mystery ingredient is pecans, which I wouldn't ever include anyway. But the article goes on to point out that so many bakers make the cake wrong, according to a true Southern woman. I don't know why, but this messed with my head a bit, because a California girl should be able to make a good red velvet cake, too. (Duly noted that I probably won't ever make this cake, but my hackles got raised anyway.) At the end of the article was a proper recipe for a red velvet cake/cupcakes. I pasted it below, so you all can make it, too.

Paula Deen’s Red Velvet Cupcakes from Food Network
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers. In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting
1 pound cream cheese, softened
2 sticks butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
Chopped pecans and fresh raspberries or strawberries, for garnish
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.
Garnish with chopped pecans, fresh raspberry or strawberry, or sprinkles.

Boxes packed today: 5; Total boxes packed: 14.