Ingredients
1/3 cup vegetable oil, plus more for greasing pan
One 16.5-ounce box red velvet cake mix
8 large eggs plus 2 large egg yolks
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, plus more for greasing dish
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Fine salt
4 cups whole milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350F. Generously oil a 12-cup muffin pan.
Combine the cake mix, oil, 3 of the eggs and 1 cup water until smooth; divide among the muffin cups. Bake until a tester comes out clean, about 18 minutes. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then cool completely on a wire rack.
Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese, butter, confectioners’ sugar, 1 teaspoon of the vanilla and a pinch of salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or in a large bowl if using a hand mixer) until smooth.
Whisk the milk, egg yolks, granulated sugar, remaining 5 eggs and 1 tablespoon vanilla, and a pinch of salt in a large bowl until smooth.
Butter a shallow 3-quart baking dish. Cut the cupcakes in quarters and scatter half over the bottom of the dish. Dollop half the frosting over the cupcakes, then pour in half the custard mixture. Repeat the layering once. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.
When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350F. Uncover the bread pudding and bake until the top is golden brown and the center is set, about 1 hour. Cool completely on a wire rack.