Trisha Yearwood's Red Velvet Cupcakes

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line thirty 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups; set aside.

For cupcakes, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa. In a large mixing bowl combine the sugar and eggs. Add the oil, slowly beating well as the oil is added. To the sugar mixture, add the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour and mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and food coloring. Spoon batter into prepared cups, filling 2/3 full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in centers come out clean. Remove muffin pan from oven, let cool on wire rack, 5 minutes. Remove cakes from muffin pan and cool completely on wire rack.

Meanwhile, for the frosting, cream the cream cheese and butter. Beat in the powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth. Add the vanilla and nuts, reserving 2 Tbsp. of nuts for garnish. Spread or pipe the frosting atop the cupcakes.