Doctored Red Velvet Cupcakes

This post goes with the one right before it - while trying to figure out my cupcake liner situation I decided to also try to make some red velvet cupcakes... I had tried a new scratch recipe last week but didn't like the results.  Everyone that had them loved them but I found them too dense - i prefer a very light and fluffy cake - probably because I made so many box mixes over the years!  So I decided to try to alter a plain/vanilla cake mix to make it into Red Velvet.

And before you ask why i didn't just use the Ducan Hines Red Velvet mix - they are not available anywhere within a 200 km radius - trust me i've checked!

I started with a box of Duncan Hines vanilla cake mix.  Put the wet ingredients (per the back of the box) in a bowl and added 1 tbs of red (no taste) gel food coloring.  Beat this up just until mixed and then added the powdered cake mix - but before beating I added 4 tbs of cocoa (to the top of the mound of mix)... then I mixed it per the box directions.

The oven was preheated to 400 degrees. then when I went to put the cupcakes in the oven I lowered it to 350 degrees and baked for 18 min.  Let cool in the pan for 5-10 and then on wire rack until completely cooled.

And this was the result:

I liked the taste (just enough chocolate for me) and a good color.  And most importantly it was very light and fluffy! Just the way I like it!

If anyone knows how I can replicate that texture in a scratch recipe please let me know!!