Now That’s Love
Some mothers say that they never knew what it truly meant to love until they had a child.
For me, it took having two. Because watching these two together and what they share as sisters, that pretty much sums up the definition of love, at least as I know it.
You can’t get rid of the other one, even when you really, really want to. Hypothetically.
You are glad to have someone to test the stairway sled you made out of the laundry basket. (Thanks, Pea Daddy. I’ll get the ice.)
Your favorite thing to do is to make them laugh so hard apple juice comes out their nose. Or hand-crafted root beers.
They better not stretch out your best sweater. Hypothetically.
You sometimes wish you’d just gotten a puppy instead. But never a cat.
You both think the other one’s parents are crazy. Think about it. I’ll wait.
You don’t mind taking baths together. Or showers. Hypothetically.
You fight over who got the bigger half of a shared cupcake.
I totally relate to that one.
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Makes 12 cupcakes
- 4 small-medium beets, peeled and steamed
- 2 T. lemon juice
- splash of water
- 1/3 c. vegan margarine (i.e. Earth Balance)
- 1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 c. non-dairy or organic milk
- 1/2 c. brown sugar
- 2/3 c. organic sugar
- 1/2 t. vanilla
- 2 T. cocoa powder
- 1 heaping cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 t. baking powder
- 1/2 t. baking soda
- 1/2 t. salt
“Cream Cheese” Frosting:
-
- 4 oz. vegan (i.e. Tofutti) or organic cream cheese
- 3 T. vegan margarine (i.e. Earth Balance)
- dash of salt
- 1/4 t. vanilla extract
- 2 c. powdered sugar
- optional: toasted coconut and pecans for garnish
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare beets. If you live near a Trader Joe’s, you can avoid having to cook your own beets and just use a package of these. If you don’t live near a Trader Joe’s, I am sorry.
Place beets, lemon juice and a small amount of water in a food processor or blender and puree.
The consistency should be about that of applesauce, but you probably don’t want to eat this.
Using an electric or stand mixer, cream together beet puree, margarine, applesauce, milk, sugars and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Slowly add mixture to wet ingredients and beat until just combined. Or should I say beet? I kill me.
Spoon batter into a prepared muffin tin, filling each cup 3/4ths of the way full.
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a cupcake comes out clean.
Allow to cool completely.
For frosting, beat together cream cheese, margarine, vanilla, salt and powdered sugar.
I put my frosting in a resealable plastic bag and snipped off the end to make a pastry tip to pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes.
Dust with cocoa powder, if desired.
While these may not be artificially colored red, they are beet red.
And they are delicious.
I have no way of explaining why, but they taste like donuts. Cakey, delicious, skip-the-iced-coffee-and-egg-white-flatbread and eat-this-instead donuts.
And they reminded us again of what it means to love.
So much you lick your plate.
So much you eye your sister’s plate.
So much you ask if you can lick your sister’s fingers when she’s done.
Now that’s love.
Happy Valentine’s Day to my favorite Peas!
You too, Tiff!!!
Yum!! Your cupcakes look WONDERFUL!! Wish I could wiggle my nose like Elizabeth in Bewitched and have you in my kitchen helping me with cupcakes for my little one’s first b-day this week!! Happy Valentine’s Day!!
Oh, I wish you could too. These would be great or the oatmeal cookie cupcakes! http://peasandthankyou.com/2011/02/04/cupcake-right-now/
Yum! My husband has already offered to go shopping for beets & more sugar
haha.
Are peeling beets hard? I’ve oddly been intimidated by them. I’m even curious if making these would be possible with canned beets… but I hate canned anything most days.
I wouldn’t say it’s hard to peel the beets, it just is kind of messy. My best advice is to use rubber gloves.
The pickled beets that come canned might taste a little funny 
Lady, only you would make cupcakes red with beets. I love it!
Happy Valentine’s Day! Thanks for your many recipe inspirations!
You are welcome. Happy Valentine’s Day to you too!
OH! Duh! I totally missed the TJ pre-cooked part.
The cupcake pics must have distracted me. Yay! Going to TJ’s tomorrow!!
LOVE the Red Velvet Cupcakes! What a darling post of your daughters – so fun!
If these are anything like your last cupcakes, I bet they’re amazing
Although I passionate hate beets and don’t know if I could smell them long enough to actually make them into cupcakes…
I just blended these straight from the package, so I didn’t have to heat them and get that smell going anyway!
One reason I’ve never liked red velvet cake is the thought of all that artificial coloring. Well, problem solved! You are truly a genius. I love the cupcake liners too–so cute!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Just be prepared…they aren’t the technicolor red that most red velvet cupcakes are. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
These look fantastic!! Happy Valentines Day to you and your family
You too, Liz!
The red velvet cupcakes look so fantastic! I wish I could make just one, so I wouldn’t have a ton laying around and then eat the whole batch.
recipe for 1. as in no valentine here.
I hope you have a great Valentine’s anyway! I have a feeling you are still very loved.
There is nothing like the love you have with a sibling. Your girls are lucky to have each other -they’ll always have a best friend.
Red velvet does it for me! I love seeing these pics of your kids…it makes having kids myself seem less insane.
You will have cute kids. I’ve seen your wedding pictures.
I love that you use beets to make them red! Perfect. I’m sure my late grandmother won’t like it, but I may have to bypass her recipe next time I make red velvet cake and try your cupcake recipe!!
I won’t tell.
Would I be banned from your blog if I said, “You should name it Red BElvET Cupcakes?” Hypothetically.
Yes.
Beautiful photos Mama Pea, and the cupcakes sound delicious. Great idea to use beets for the coloring!
I love that you used beets instead of red food coloring.
I sure do love my sister and I’m so thankful for my relationship with her as a child and adult. We’re only 18 months apart and were “built-in buddies” our entire childhood.
HapPEA Valentine’s Day!!
HapPEA V-day to you too! I hope the girls are besties forever too
You have done it again! It is a good thing I just suckered my friend into a baking party at the end of the month. Must add this to the list!!
Yes, please do!!!
Mama Pea, these look AWESOME! Someone made red velvet cupcakes at work (with all the usual ingredients) and I’ve been craving one ALL day! I’m so glad you posted this recipe.
Well now you can have one
or a dozen.
Love that these are all natural! Why use artificial ingredients when you can get a serving of veggies instead?
I wish I grew up in a two-story house so I could sled down the stairs
The girls were fighting over the beet batter beaters
Those cupcakes look amazing!
Beet puree! That’s genius! Red food dye is AWFUL. I am going to try these. We are a big fan of your cupcakes in this house. TWSS.
How friggin’ cute are the girls? I love Gigi’s hair so much. And Lulu’s pink bow!
These are up there with the oatmeal cookie cupcakes. My cupcakes bring all the boys to the yard…
Wow, amazing job!!!!
I have never bought those TJs beets. I actually didnt know they existed! I love beets and often times canned/frozen/prepackaged beets are sketchy at best, slimy and super weird at worst. With your stamp of approval, i shall be trying those!
But what I really want to try is this
“For frosting, beat together cream cheese, margarine, vanilla, salt and powdered sugar.”
Oh yes please.
And you are posting early tonight. Perhaps you have a hot date with Pea Daddy in store? I hope so!
Happy Valentine’s Day
No hot date. Just got baking early
The beets are great! They are by the herbs and precooked lentils.
I love your cupcakes! So far the Cookies and Cream ones and the Oatmeal Cookie ones are a hit, can’t wait to try these. Thanks!
Hope you love ‘em! Do let me know!
Awesome! I think this would be the best way to get someone to eat beets. Do you think if I didn’t tell anyone there were beets involved, that they would guess by the flavor?
Pea D didn’t know. I said, “Do those taste like beets?” and he said no, while shooting me a look like, “Why, you lunatic?” Then he shoved another cupcake in his mouth.
Hah, good to know! If I make these for my family, I will know better than to even think the word beets, because I would not want to arouse suspicion and have them turn on me. I’m going to be sneaky about it!
It’s funny, because the girls knew and didn’t care, but Pea Daddy just has mental blocks sometimes (obviously…he proposed, didn’t he?).
These look picture-perfect! I’m one of those unfortunate people who does not live near a Trader Joe’s (none in Texas), but this recipe is worth steaming my own. You know I love the sister posts – I’m so close with my 2 older sisters and we still are in contact everyday. My best friends at 34, 31 and 29. I know Gigi & Lulu will be the same way!
That is so sweet
. Good luck with those beets!
These look amazing! I am such a sucker for red velvet. It’s just amazing. Next time I need a cupcake recipe, I will be trying these!
I hope so! They taste legit.
YES! I love that these don’t have artificial food coloring in them. This is bookmarked.
I take it red velvet cake is normally made with food colouring? I’ve never had it myself, so I wouldn’t know. They look rather pretty and festive
Yup, red dye!!!
I am scared of beets but if you and pea daddy say they don’t taste like beets I believe you. Maybe the chocolate helps combat the flavor a little?
And the lemon juice & sugar
I’m 23, and my 27 year old brother is one of my best friends. We talk to each other about everything, laugh together, and he means the world to me. I”m so glad Gigi and Lulu are likely to experience that kind of love as they grow up too
Those cupcakes look absolutely delicious! Yum. I love healthy make overs!
I couldn’t imagine life without him. I should call him actually, see how life is.
Haha, oh the bond between siblings. Sometimes it’s good… sometimes it’s painful. But in the end, it’s one of the best ever. My brother and I were horrible as kids, we get along much better now as adults.
Love this recipe! I recently made classic red velvet cupcakes and not only was it killing me to add that much food coloring, but I didn’t even have enough in the 3 half-used tubes of red food coloring that I had dug up from the cupboard. Beets are also one of the few local veggies that come in my CSA box this time of year. Win win. Happy Valentine’s day!
One thing that really warms up my heart from your posts, besides for your love for your family and your wit, is the lovely, heart-warming bond the two sisters share. I can just imagine them in their teens, gossiping together about the hottest guy in school.
Or fighting over him!
Thanks, Sophia.
Oh. my. peas. Red velvet is this girls FAVE. I had it for my 30th this past year (mom knows me too well!) and it was to DIE for…but this looks amaze. I CANNOT WAIT to lick the beaters, I mean, eat these cupcakes!
Happy (late) Valentine’s Day!
You too, Mary Beth! Enjoy!
Awwww this made me miss my sisters:( And i miss living near a trader joes:(
Oh well these cupcakes definitely look worth the extra beet cooking time!
its times like these when I want to CRY that I dont live near trader joes ; ) buying those beets would make it easier for sure! I love the cupcakes and the cute as ever pics of the girls together in the beginning of this post!
I have 4 sisters, so growing up was fun , lol, fun like pulling each others hair, ripping dolls heads off of each others babydolls, and locking each other in closets! I would not change it for the world! My sisters are my best friends! We love each other but doesn’t mean we have to like each other sometimes ; ) lol!
I have brothers, and we were the same way. Except we were more into cars than dolls.
Aweee I love my sister! I remember being kids when she used to bite me but it’s fine because then we would play Barbies and it would all be fine again:)
Using beets is genius! Duhhh get mo’ veggies!:)
There is no love like sister love!
And they will only grow closer as they get older. 
I never would have thought to use beets for red velvet. You are genius my dear. Simply genius.
I’m not sure I can live up to that, but thanks!
You want to know what’s love? You responding to my plea for red velvet cupcakes without food dyes – that was the best Valentine’s Day present you could have ever given me! I kind of just squealed right now.
And sisterly love is the best – just wait until they’re teenagers HA!
Happy Valentine’s Day
you’ve got some pretty special kids. They show such love to one another, even when they’re pulling each others hair. hehe!
Happy Valentines day!
NATURALLY COLORED RED VELVET CAKE. YES.
Everyone loves red velvet cake so much but the artificial red color always threw me off. I can’t wait to try these! Thanks, Mama Pea!
You’re welcome! Hope you love ‘em!
The girls are just too cute – and these cupcakes look amazing!
it’s true, sisters are the best. i know my sister and i have an amazing relationship…not that it’s not filled with weird stories about me punching her in the boob (i know, i know) but we’re the best of friends now!
beets? BRILLIANT!
Loved this post. Your girls are so adorable! I have a sister and having a sister really is the best thing in the world. It’s a special relationship like no other. Enjoy it while they are loving each other because in a few years when their teenagers they’ll be yelling and smacking each other lol just you wait
These cupcakes look/sound delicious!!! I made your quinoa stuffed peppers last night (except I used a bunch of mini peppers that I had left over from Costco) and I LOVED them!! They are so good and what an easy recipe dinner to prepare!!! When my husband got home from work and I told him dinner was ready.. he said “Is this another one of Mama Pea’s recipes?” before i even said anything. Turns out he loved them too
But does he say, “Is this a Mama Pea recipe?” happily or doubtfully?
Happily of course!!! He knows how much you and your blog inspire me to try new and healthy recipes.
I may even upload a photo for you to see
That’d be great!!!!
it’s up!
don’t judge to hard haha
Red Velvet cupcakes are my favorite, what a sweet treat! Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Yayyy a cake recipe!! I love it
Your girls are so lucky to grow up with sisters. I love my brother tons, but I still would have liked a sister as well…I feel like they just have a bond together. Happy belated Valentine’s to you and yours!
red beets!! that is SO SO COOL!
Beautiful post, beautiful cupcakes, and BEAUTIFUL girls! They just radiate in these pictures. I am the middle daughter of three girls — we’re all two years apart and really close. I know how special the sister relationship is and it is so sweet to see how much Gigi and Lulu love each other.
And I really really want Gigi’s outfit, big-girl size. Scrunchies and all.
Everyone could use a good ‘conversation heart’ homemade dress… (no, I didn’t make it)
I love those cupcake holders! I have that same package of beets sitting in my fridge…. wondering if I should use them for cupcakes now…..
Yes, you should.
Thank you for this! I’ve been wanting a good vegan red velvet recipe.
Wow! There really ARE beets in red velvet cake. Who knew?
There aren’t really. Usually it’s red food coloring.
Oh my these look delicious! Def trying them!
LOVE the idea of adding beets in this! Would have never thought. I have 2 sisters, and it is really the best thing ever. I always tell my husband that when we have kids, if we have a girl, we will have to have 2 so they can be sisters
Beets! Genius, MP (and TJ’s! Ugh, MISS IT).
I don’t know what my life would be like without my sister – even when our 2 yr age difference has been more obvious than others, I can’t help but think she is the greatest person I know. Great post!
even *times* when…. (oops)
thank you soooo much for this recipe! I will definitely be coming back to it for my next special event.
It really is great, so I hope you do, Wendy!
The picture of them together is precious
Love the color of those cupcakes!
What a freakin’ amazing idea!! I was at the grocery store yesterday and saw red velvet cookies and didn’ grab them and have been thinking about them ever since. Going to have to bookmark this one MP. I can’t wait to try this recipe out.
Oooh, cookies. Good idea!
what an interesting recipe! i’d never think to use beets to get coloring. brilliant!
I am in LOVE with Gigi’s hair in this post. Simply too cute.
It was a little large, as all good hairstyles are.
what a GREAT idea!! love this!
Another creative recipe! I love having sisters to love, laugh…and fight with.
Love the beets! My husband loves red velvet cake but I hate the food coloring part. This is in line for his birthday cake!
I hope he likes them!
Beautiful cupcakes, cutest daughters
Thanks for sharing the love!
Such a cute post:)
yes! thank you so much! i’ve been looking for a good recipe for red velvet!
New towel!!!
You know I hate beets…so I’m scared of these…but would give the a try if you say they taste like donuts. Were the cupcakes the culprit of having to shampoo the carpets? Too many beet cupcakes + lemon water?
Beets – how clever! Looks delicious!!
This post is so precious. My sister and I are best friends
I had always wondered about this in the back of my mind, and I should’ve known that you would make it possible!!!
Wow these are some beautiful vegan red velvet cupcakes. I am going to try them soon. Love all the pink in this post.
i have that exact pack of beets in my fridge, they’ve been staring me down for weeks! now i have a reason to use them in a recipe i actually will like.
You are halfway there!
beets… genius!
i love beets
anne says they taste like dirt
i bet these cupcakes don’t taste like dirt
goodbye
No dirt here. Goodbye.
I am not a fan of beets. Can you taste the beets at all? Otherwise these look infreakingcredible!
Nope…you can’t taste em!
I wish I had this recipe a few days ago! I would have loved to bring beet cupcakes and not have anyone know for James’ bday treats! Saving this for next year!
Bummer, sorry!!! How about an un-birthday party?
Your daughters are precious. What a great Valentine’s Day post. I have one sister and while I can’t say I appreciated her as much as I should when I was a teenager, I sure do now!
Oh wow, that totally makes my day! Thanks for the red velvet recipe! My husband brought home red velvet cheesecake last night. It was kind of yucky. I will have to make these as a do-over!
xoxo
Red velvet cheesecake does sound yucky. How does that even work?
Ok, it sounded like it could be amazing! “Moist layers of Red Velvet Cake and our Original Cheesecake covered with our special Cheesecake Factory cream cheese frosting.” I was envisioning that the layers of cheesecake would taste like cream cheese frosting. After all, frosting is the only reason I eat cake! But they were not delicious at all. And I don’t even like cheesecake! I don’t know if it will spam me if I put in a link, but you should look it up on the cheesecake factory website. Oh, deceiving! xoxo
mmm these look so yummy!! and the silicone cups are so cute! where did you get them!?
Crate + Barrel
You did it! And you used beets instead of food coloring! You are a vegan wizard.
I love the sisterly love. I am so glad I have sisters!
I did it!!!! I’m not sure this is as decadent as your version though. I need to take another look at your recipe.
Yum, these cupcakes look awesome and I’ll look for the beets on my next Trader Joe’s visit. Thanks for the recipe and this adorable post!
Thank you so much for making these. I don’t know why I didn’t think to recommend this when you ask for us to suggest things for you to re-create. My Mom loves red velvet cake. I tried to make her a vegan one two years ago for her 50th and it turned out horrible. I wanted to use beets for the coloring but was scared it would be ruined because the recipe did not call for it. I don’t know the rules of baking when you substitute.
)
I shall redeem myself this year for her birthday!
Thanks again!
Ooh, I hope these turn out better for you than that cake!
That’s adorable! I’m glad you had a lovely time with your kiddos. I think my sister and I nearly gave our mother multiple nervous breakdowns…but we’re really close now, so it’s all good.
Those reusable cupcake liners are just adorable. And I swear, your girls get prettier and more mature everyday!
Please make it stop.
genius on the beets in the cupcakes and for COLOR!!! i just may have to try these, even though I hate beets.
I swear you can’t taste them!!!
Hi Sarah, I saw your blog off of my friend, Teri’s blog (afoodiestaysfit). Just had to stop and say hi. I love your posts. I love, love, love that you put beets in your red velvet. I add purees to my foods all the time to help my kids get more veggies. Plus, it makes the food taste so much better! I’m linking your blog onto mine. Love it!
Thanks, Arian! You are too kind. I love Teri. I’ll have to check out your blog too!!!
Aww sweet cupcakes and of course sweet girls!
Love, love how you used beets in the red velvet cupcakes!!!!!
Hope the Pea Family had a wonderful Vday
xoxo
We did. Hope you lovely ladies did too!
Omigosh! I NEED to make these post haste. Red velvet cupcakes w/ cream cheese icing are my favorite! Back in the day (when I was unconcerned with what I put in my body) this was a recipe I wanted to perfect – my signature treat if you will – I succeeded insofar as the taste and texture of my cupcakes really are to die for. But now I just find the dairy, refined flour and sugar and (yikes!) red food coloring grating.
I can’t wait to try these
One thing I think I’ll add because I just LOVE it and think it makes cream cheese icing just dreamy is about a 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon mixed in. It’s the secret ingredient that made my frosting go from great to WOW!
Great idea! That sounds delish!
Pretty much all of your recipes are miracle creations, but this one may just steal the award for the best ever.
I have loved reading your blog over the past few months since I stumbled upon it. I can’t wait to make these (and the lentil Sloppy Josephines)! I was telling my boyfriend about this recipe and he said we should try juicing the beets and adding in the beet juice. Do you think that would work, or should I stick to steaming the beets and putting them in the blender?
I’m not sure you could substitute beet juice straight across the board, but maybe a combo of applesauce and beet juice? You really need the pulp for the texture.
Good luck and thanks for the blog love!
I finally tried this recipe today, using the TJ’s beets. I’m afraid to say I either did something very wrong (although I’m a decent baker), but these had a really strong beet smell and flavor. I even added Stevia to the beet puree as well as some chocolate extract to the batter. My kids wouldn’t even lick the beaters. Plus without adding vinegar to the recipe they don’t rise much.
That’s strange. We gobbled them up!
I have beet puree in my fridge, do you have any estimation of the beet in cups? I want to try these cupcakes for my girl’s birthday. Thanks.
I would say about 2/3 c. but if the batter seems to dry, you can always add some applesauce.