Black Velvet Cupcakes with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup

+ 2 tablespoons (175 g) sugar

1/4 cup

unsalted butter, softened

2 tbsp

vegetable oil

2 tsp

(10 mL)(1/4 oz) soft gel paste colour, black (more if necessary)

2 tsp

pure vanilla extract

1/2 tsp

kosher salt

egg, at room temperature

1 1/4 cups

cake flour (aka cake & pastry flour)

3 tbsp

dark Dutch-process cocoa powder

1/2 cup

buttermilk, at room temperature

1/2 tsp

white vinegar

1/4 tsp

baking soda

1/4 cup

unsalted butter, softened

package (250 g)(8 oz) cream cheese, cold, cut into cubes

4 cups

(1 lb)(460 g) confectioners' (icing) sugar, sifted

1 tsp

pure vanilla extract

salt

2 tbsp

cherry preserves, or to taste