Cobblestone Cupcakes: Red Velvet Everything

This started out as red velvet cupcakes alone (for Christmas), but then we had a few leftovers. (And by leftovers I mean that only one cupcake was eaten at a Christmas dinner for 12.) So, there's a bonus recipe-let at the bottom!

Regardless, they were delicious, and have since been consumed almost entirely.

Red Velvet Cupcakes (recipe from Brown Eyed Baker with a few very minor modifications)

I doubled this recipe, and it made 22 cupcakes.

4 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 c granulated sugar
1 egg
2 1/2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tbsp red food coloring (for a very rich red) OR the entire bottle of red out of the 4-pack (for an acceptable red)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c buttermilk
1 c + 2 tbsp flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp distilled white vineagar

Cream Cheese Frosting

This recipe makes tons of extra frosting (but you still need to double it if you double the cupcake recipe).

4 oz butter, at room temperature
4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 F
On medium-high speed, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Turn the mixer to high and add the egg. Scrape down the bowl and beat until well incorporated.
In a separate small bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, vanilla extract and red food coloring to make a thick paste. Add to the batter and mix on medium speed until completely combined. If you use only the smaller amount of food coloring, you may need to add a few tablespoons of water. You may need to stop the mixer to scrape the bottom of the bowl, making sure that all the batter gets color.
Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly add half of the buttermilk. Add half of the flour and mix until combined. Scrape the bowl and repeat the process with the remaining milk and flour. Beat on high until smooth.
Again, reduce the mixer speed to low and add the salt, baking soda and vinegar. Turn to high and beat for another couple of minutes until completely combined and smooth.
Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners and bake for about 20 minutes, or until a thin knife or skewer inserted into the center of the largest cupcake comes out clean.
Cool for 10 minutes and then remove cupcakes from the pan and place them on a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
To make the frosting: Whip the butter and cream cheese on high speed for about 5 minutes, scraping the bowl down as necessary. Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar until all is incorporated. Add the vanilla and mix to combine. Increase the speed to medium high and whip for a few minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy, scraping the bowl as necessary.

Aaaaand I promised you my bonus creation....