Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour, (spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off)
• ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder ((see note))
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing the pans
• 2¼ cups (packed) light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons Wilton Concentrated Red (no-taste) Gel Icing Color, or 3 tablespoons normal liquid red food coloring (see note)
• 2½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs, (at room temperature)
• 1¾ cups buttermilk ((see note))
• Cream Cheese Frosting