Red Velvet Cupcakes with Butter Cream Frosting (#4)

[ This is Cupcake #4 from Ming Makes Cupcakes ]

CUPCAKES
1 1/4 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp cocoa powder
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1 Tbsp red food coloring
1/2 tsp white vinegar
1 tsp vanilla

1. Sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, buttermilk, egg, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla.
3. While mixing at medium speed, gradually add dry mixture to wet mixture until just combined.
4. Fill cupcake liners.
5. Bake at 350F for 25 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

ICING

1 stick room temperature butter (8 Tbsp)

2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar

1/4 cup milk

1/2 tsp vanilla

a dash of almond extract

1. Beat butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Add sugar, milk, vanilla, and almond extract and beat until spreadable consistency.
3. Add additional sugar if needed.