Doctored Cake Mix

B really only had two requests for her birthday dessert. The first was that all of the children in the cul de sac could come over and have dessert with her. And the second that whatever I baked was topped with cream cheese frosting. Seemed like reasonable requests to me and so I baked up some red velvet cupcakes on Saturday morning.

But here's the thing...I cheated! I didn't make them from scratch. Yes, I know that there a million red velvet recipes out there that are not that hard at all to make but I simply did not have time. B and I had to be to our field hockey game really early because it was picture day. After the game B wanted to have lunch out with the family. Then by the time we got home and showered.... Well you know how it goes! 

And I have to say I feel not guilty since these "doctored" cupcakes from a mix got rave reviews from the kiddos and adults!!!

Doctored Cake-Mix Red Velvet Cupcakes*

1 box of white cake-mix (as always I used Pillsbury)

1 box of non-instant chocolate pudding (do not make the pudding!)

3/4 of a cup buttermilk

1/4 of a cup water

1/3 of a cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

red food coloring, as much as desired

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cupcake tins.

Mix the white cake-mix and dry non-instant pudding until combined in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl add the buttermilk, water, oil and eggs. Mix until eggs are well beaten. Pour into the dry mixture and stir until combined. Stir in a few drops of red food dye.

Bake for 25 minutes or until done.  

Allow cupcakes to completely cool then top with your favorite cream cheese frosting. Enjoy!

*If you were to claim that you made these from scratch I would not tell a soul otherwise!!!