Recipe: Blue Velvet Heisenberg Cupcakes

Tonight marks the return of everybody's favorite show about meth cooks for its final run of episodes.  I've been inspired by Breaking Bad in the past, and hadn't planned on another Breaking Bad-themed dessert, but then I spotted these large sprinkles at Michael's.

It's almost like Wilton intended for people to use these to recreate the show's now famous blue crystal meth.  So, much like Marge Simpson, I decided to whip up some Heisenberg-style cupcakes.

Now, these are basically just red velvet cupcakes with blue food coloring, so feel free to make them in the traditional red color.  Some other red/blue velvet recipes have a smaller amount of cocoa powder - you'll get a brighter color, but I like the taste of these better.  This recipe is super simple - combine the dry ingredients, combine the wet ingredients, mix them together and you're done.  Plus, I like that it makes a small batch of cupcakes (about 10-11), perfect if you just want to share with a few friends rather than a big party.

I paired the cupcakes with a traditional cream cheese frosting.  This recipe is pretty basic, but to avoid any trouble, make sure your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature before starting.  Set them out on the counter at least a few hours before making the frosting, and everything should come together smoothly (pun intended).

Blue Velvet Heisenberg Cupcakes
1 1/4 cup cake flour
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 teaspoon white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon blue gel food coloring (or red!)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.  Line a cupcake tin with white cupcake liners.

In a small bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda, and sugar.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together oil, buttermilk, egg, vanilla, vinegar and food coloring until thoroughly combined. 

Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.  This batter will be a little loose, so I find it's easiest to use a spouted cup to pour it into the cupcake tin.  Fill each cup about 2/3 full with batter.  Bake in the oven for 20-24 minutes.  Allow to cool before adding frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 stick of butter (4 oz.) at room temperature
1 package of cream cheese (8 oz.) at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pinch of salt
3-4 cups powdered sugar

Directions:
Using a mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter and cream cheese until thoroughly combined.  Add vanilla and salt.  Gradually mix in powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached.

Pipe onto the cupcakes and decorate with blue crystal sprinkles.  Happy cooking, everybody!