Fiery Lips Cupcake for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is Sunday May 13th this year. Why not bake some fancy and feminine cupcakes for mom? Here is one of our favorite recipes from Food Network's "Cupcake Wars." It is the Red Hot Velvet Cupcakes with Fiery Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting by Anthony Valerio (courtesy of Food Network)

Ingredients

Cupcakes:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons cake flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 2 teaspoons cayenne powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fine salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups canola oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 ounce red liquid food coloring
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk

Fiery Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 2 sticks butter, at room temperature
• 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 6 to 7 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 to 1 shot cinnamon schnapps

Directions

For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with 24 regular-size cupcake liners.

In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, all-purpose flour, cake flour, cocoa, cayenne powder, salt, baking soda and cinnamon. Set the bowl aside.

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the oil and eggs on low speed until combined. Add the red food coloring and vanilla extract. Continue beating until the mixture is well combined. Turn the mixer to the lowest speed and add the flour mixture and buttermilk, alternating between the two, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.

Fill the cupcake liners approximately half full with batter and bake until the cupcakes are set and a toothpick is removed cleanly, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool the cupcakes completely.

For the frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the cinnamon, vanilla extract and salt. With the mixer on low, begin adding the powdered sugar, alternating with the schnapps, until the desired consistency is reached and the mixture is smooth.

Frost each cupcake with the fiery cinnamon cream cheese frosting and serve.

Disclaimer: This recipe was created by a contestant during a cooking competition. The Food Network Kitchens have not tested it for home use, therefore, cannot make any representation as to the results.