Sweet Southern Valentine Treats

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Martha White® is celebrating Valentine's Day with recipes rooted in Southern tradition. Southerners are known for good food and hospitality, and this holiday gives even more reasons to create special family moments in just minutes.

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"Southern cuisine, like other kinds of cooking, continually evolves to fit current lifestyles, but we don't want to lose the recipes that made us famous," says Martha White baking expert Linda Carman. "Passed down from generation to generation, we love how Martha White has become a part of your family."

There has been a recent resurgence of people hungry for Red Velvet Cake resulting in a wide variety of recipes. Its striking bright red color makes it the perfect Valentine's Day recipe choice. This recipe for the Easiest Ever Red Velvet Cupcakes  is rich and delicious enough for a special dessert, but quick and easy enough for a school party.

For more Southern Valentine's treats, like Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake and Chocolate Cobbler, go to www.marthawhite.com/recipes. Join the Martha White community at www.Facebook.com/MarthaWhiteBaking.

Easiest Ever Red Velvet Cupcakes

Cupcakes
Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
2 (7.4 oz.) packages Martha White® Chocolate Chip Muffin Mix
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup white baking chips
1 large egg
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup oil
2 tablespoons liquid red food coloring

Frosting
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar

1. HEAT oven to 350°F. Spray 12 muffin cups with no-stick cooking spray or line with paper baking cups.
   
   
2. For cupcakes: STIR together muffin mix, cocoa powder and white baking chips in large bowl. Whisk together egg, milk, oil and food coloring in medium bowl. Stir into muffin mixture just until well-blended.
   
   
3. FILL muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until cupcakes spring back when gently touched on top. Cool 3 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely.
   
   
4. For frosting: BEAT butter and cream cheese in large bowl with electric mixer at medium high speed until creamy. Add vanilla and sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Pipe or spread frosting on cool cupcakes. Store in refrigerator.

Makes 12 cupcakes

Crisco is a trademark of The J.M. Smucker Company.

SOURCE Martha White