After decades of debate, the FDA has finally banned Red Dye No. 3, a synthetic food coloring linked to cancer in rats.

Both typically get their color from a red or pink food coloring, or a more natural dye like beet juice or strawberry, but the pretty pink cake gets less of the coloring than the deep red version.

TO PREPARE THE CUPCAKES Beat a little pink food coloring into the buttercream to a very pale shade of pink. Using a spatula, spread a little buttercream over the cupcakes in a fairly smooth layer.