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Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 74 reviews

Classic Red Velvet Cupcakes with moist, tender crumb and a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfectly balanced cocoa flavor with vibrant red color, topped with smooth, fluffy cream cheese frosting and optional sprinkles for a festive touch.

Ingredients

Scale

Cupcake Batter

  • 1 cup + 2 tbsp (141 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 1/2 tbsp (8 g) cocoa powder, Dutch process
  • 3/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/8 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 5 tbsp (70 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated white sugar
  • 1 egg, at room temperature
  • 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) buttermilk, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 tsp red gel food coloring

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1/2 cup (112 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 oz. (114 g) cream cheese, cold
  • 2 cups (260 g) powdered sugar
  • Sprinkles for decorating (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with 12 cupcake liners and set aside for batter.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, Dutch-process cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
  3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, add the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer on high speed, cream them together for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs and vanilla: Add the whole egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until pale in color and smooth.
  5. Incorporate dry ingredients and buttermilk: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and buttermilk to the wet mixture on low speed, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure an even batter.
  6. Add red food coloring: Gently fold in the red gel food coloring until the batter has an even vibrant red color.
  7. Fill cupcake liners and bake: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 cupcake liners, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake the cupcakes for 17-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool cupcakes: Once baked, let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
  9. Make cream cheese frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter on high speed for 5-10 minutes until pale and fluffy. Add the cold cream cheese and continue beating on medium high speed until fully combined and smooth.
  10. Add powdered sugar: Sift the powdered sugar into the butter and cream cheese mixture one cup at a time. Beat on low speed first, then increase to high speed, until the frosting is smooth, light, and fluffy.
  11. Assemble the cupcakes: Transfer the cream cheese frosting into a piping bag fitted with your choice of decorative tip. Pipe generous amounts of frosting onto each cooled cupcake.
  12. Decorate and serve: Sprinkle the frosted cupcakes with optional sprinkles for decoration. Serve immediately or store leftovers.
  13. Storage: Store any leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Ensure all ingredients such as eggs, buttermilk, and butter are at room temperature for best mixing results.
  • If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute by adding 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar to 1/2 cup milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using.
  • Use red gel food coloring for the best vibrant color without affecting the batter’s consistency.
  • Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to prevent dense cupcakes.
  • Chilling the cream cheese before mixing prevents the frosting from becoming too soft or runny.
  • Sprinkles are optional but add a festive and fun touch.
  • Leftovers should be kept in airtight containers to prevent drying out.

Keywords: red velvet cupcakes, cream cheese frosting, baked cupcakes, dessert, Valentine’s Day cupcakes

Find it online: https://lieblingsmahlzeit.com/red-velvet-cupcakes-with-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/