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Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 150 reviews

These Red Velvet Cupcakes are a delightful treat featuring moist, tender cupcakes with a rich cocoa flavor and vibrant red color, topped with a luscious, creamy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for celebrations or a sweet everyday indulgence, this recipe guides you through creating classic, bakery-quality cupcakes at home.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cupcakes:

  • 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

For the 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: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 12-cup cupcake pan with liners and set it aside to prepare the 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 until well combined. Set aside.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on high speed to cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar for 1-2 minutes, until the mixture is fluffy.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until pale in color and smooth.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately add the dry ingredient mixture and buttermilk to the wet mixture on low speed, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed for an even batter.
  6. Add Food Coloring: Gently fold in the red gel food coloring until just incorporated to achieve the signature red velvet color.
  7. Fill Cupcake Liners and Bake: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about three-quarters full. Bake in the preheated oven for 17-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool the Cupcakes: Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  9. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat the softened unsalted butter in a bowl with an electric mixer on high speed for 5-10 minutes until pale and fluffy.
  10. Add Cream Cheese: Add the cold cream cheese to the butter and beat on medium-high speed until well combined and smooth.
  11. Incorporate Powdered Sugar: Gradually sift in the powdered sugar, adding it a cup at a time. Mix on low speed initially to prevent sugar clouds, then increase to high speed until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
  12. Frost the Cupcakes: Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with your choice of decorative tip. Pipe a generous amount of frosting onto each cooled cupcake.
  13. Decorate and Serve: Optionally, sprinkle the frosting with colorful sprinkles for a festive touch. Serve immediately or store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days.

Notes

  • Ensure butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature for the best texture and mixing results.
  • Use Dutch process cocoa powder for a smoother, less acidic flavor and richer color.
  • Red gel food coloring gives a more vibrant color without thinning the batter compared to liquid food coloring.
  • Do not overmix the batter once the dry and wet ingredients are combined to maintain cupcake tenderness.
  • Frost the cupcakes only after they have completely cooled to prevent the frosting from melting.
  • Store leftover cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh.

Keywords: red velvet cupcakes, cream cheese frosting, easy cupcakes, homemade cupcakes, dessert, baking

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