Are Red Velvet Cupcakes just Chocolate Cupcakes with Red colouring?

[Elsashmelsa]

I make lots of cupcakes (for weddings and the like) but fancy making some Red Velvet Cupcakes for DD's birthday. The thing is, I've never had a Red Velvet Cake or Cupcake so I'm not sure if effectively is the same recipe as the Chocolate Cupcakes, but just with Red colouring?

All the recipes online seem to have bicarbonate of soda and white wine vinegar which makes me think that it is a different cupcake to a bog-standard chocolate cupcake recipe... Does anyone know?

proper ones: no, most of the ones you buy: yes.

you also need to use a bake safe food colouring (so a gel colour) not liquid, and no chocolate!

www.redonline.co.uk/food/recipes/hummingbird-bakery-s-red-velvet-cupcakes - although this recipe uses a bakesafe liquid colour, I have only ever been able to find Gel colour in the UK that is bakesafe - you will need less than 40ml - more like 10ml of gel colour.

Thank you both!

I use the Sugarflair colour gels normally in my baking so hopefully they will be fine.

I have the Hummingbird bakery book and didn't even think to look in there - in fact - I have loads of cupcake books - doh!!

Thanks both again.