Ingredients

Cupcakes:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons red gel paste food coloring (see Cook's note)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
1 teaspoon white vinegar

1 teaspoon baking soda
Red, pink and white miniature nonpareils, for sprinkling

Meringue Icing:
5 large egg whites
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoons cream of tartar
Pinch fine salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 to 3 drops pure almond extract

Equipment: Standard 12 (1/2 cup) muffin tin

Directions

Preheat the oven
to 350 degrees F. Line the muffin tin with pink or white cupcake liners

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder and salt.

In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and
sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Occasionally turn off mixer
and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Reduce the speed to low, add
the eggs, 1 at a time, and mix until incorporated after each addition. Add the food
coloring and vanilla and mix well.

With the mixer on low, alternately add the flour mixture and sour cream in 3 additions,
beginning and ending with the flour, waiting until each addition is well incorporated
before adding the next. In a small bowl, combine the vinegar and soda, and once fizzing
has stopped, add to the batter and mix well.

Divide the batter evenly in the tin, filling each liner about 3/4 full. Bake until
cupcakes are set and spring back when touched, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10
minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

For meringue icing: Bring a few inches of water to a gentle simmer in a saucepan large

enough to hold a standing mixer bowl above the water. Whisk the egg whites, sugar, cream
of tartar, and salt together in the bowl until combined. Set the bowl over the simmering
water and whisk constantly until sugar is completely dissolved and mixture is smooth and
hot to the touch, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to the standing mixer fitted with the whisk
attachment and beat at medium-high speed until meringue is cool and holds a soft peak, 4
to 5 minutes. With the speed on low, add the vanilla and almond extracts; increase speed
to medium and continue whisking until mixture is glossy and holds a stiff peak, 1 to 2
minutes more.

To decorate: Using a spoon or offset spatula, spread about 1/2 cup meringue over each
cupcake and sprinkle with nonpareils. Cupcakes are best served the day they are made.

Cook's Note: If you're unable to find gel food coloring, add drops of liquid food coloring
until the desired shade of red is achieved.