Red Velvet Cupcakes

1 . Stage

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 30 muffin cups with paper liners.

2 . Stage

Make cake: Mix together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.

3 . Stage

Beat sugar and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix in sour cream, milk, food color, and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until just blended; do not overbeat. Spoon batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full.

4 . Stage

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool in the pans on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from the pans; cool completely.

5 . Stage

While cupcakes are cooling, make frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, sour cream, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth.

6 . Stage

Spread or pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes.