Moist Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
These red velvet cupcakes are AWESOME! My husband said they were better than our local bakery. Now that’s a compliment.
Give this recipe a try and you won’t be disappointed. Deep red color, moist, soft fluffy crumb and slathered with a sinful cream cheese frosting. Now, that’s perfection!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- These cupcakes are sinfully delicious with a soft, moist, tender crumb, and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting.
- This red velvet cupcake recipe is super easy to make and comes out perfect every time.
Tips
- Always measure your flour properly. Aerate the flour, spoon it into the measuring cup, then level it off with the flat part of a knife. Adding too much flour will result in dense dry cupcakes.
- The key to light and fluffy cupcakes is DO NOT overmix. Mix just until combined.
- Buttermilk – If you don’t have buttermilk on hand you can make your own. Place 1 1/2 Tablespoons white vinegar in a measuring cup. Pour milk into a measuring cup until it reaches 1 1/2 cups total. Let it sit for about 5 minutes.
How to Make Moist Red Velvet Cupcakes
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with cupcake liners.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
In a large bowl gently beat the oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla extract. I just use a handheld electric mixer.
Add the dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake papers, about 2/3 full.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cool completely before frosting.
Prepare the frosting by creaming the unsalted butter and cream cheese together until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar a cup at a time and vanilla. Frost the cupcakes as you like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Southern red velvet cupcakes are basically a vanilla cake with a small amount of cocoa powder and red food coloring added. It tastes slightly chocolatey with a tanginess from the buttermilk and vinegar. This balances out the flavor of the sweet cream cheese frosting.
Room temperature, eggs, butter, and other dairy ingredients will result in a better emulsion. Proper air incorporation, butter distribution, emulsification, and sugar dissolving. While baking in the oven, that trapped air expands and produces a light and fluffy baked good.
Store the cupcakes covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Yes, you can freeze the cupcakes but they must be unfrosted. The cream cheese frosting does not freeze well. Wrap unfrosted cupcakes tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
More Cupcake Recipes
Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 3 Tbs red food coloring (I only used 2 Tbs, that was all I had)
- 1 tsp distilled white vinegar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 Tbs unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 3/4-4 1/2 cups powdered sugar (this will depend on how thick you like the frosting)
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with cupcake liners.
- In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
- In a large bowl beat the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla extract.
- Add the dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake papers, about 2/3 full.
- Bake 20 to 22 minutes. Or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool completely before frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Beat the butter and cream cheese together. Add powdered sugar a cup at a time and vanilla.
Nutrition
Recipe from GirlsinAprons
These are honestly the best red velvet cupcakes I have ever made. Every measurement is spot on! Taste is perfect. This is a winner. My friends and family always love when I make these for them
Thanks so much, Saiisha! We love to hear the success stories! 🙂
Heavenly, delicious, best cupcake/cake dough I’ve ever baked. My family and I cannot stop eating them.
Oh man I can’t wait to make these tomorrow. I am pregnant and this is going to fix my sweet craving.
I hope you enjoy them, Ashley! Congratulations!
Oh I truly adore cupcakes and red velvet is delicious. Looks amazing. Happy new Year! Thanks for linking up to #ShareWithMe
Red Velvet is a family favorite! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday! I’m excited to start the party back up this week…hope you can come join me! Happy New Year! Pinned!
Yum! I can’t wait to try this recipe! Thanks so much for sharing at the Talented Tuesday Link Party!
I hope you enjoy them, Amy!
Oh yum! I have never made red velvet from scratch. They look delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thanks, Jann!
My husband loves everything red velvet, so I’m pinning this! Thanks for sharing at the Submarine Sunday Link Party!!
Thank you T’onna!
Red Velvet is my favorite. I’ll have to give your recipe a try! Thank you for sharing at Merry Monday!
Wow, those are bright! I just love cream cheese frosting.
And they are oh so yummy! Thanks for stopping by Keri!
I’m sure you have planned make me hungry, right?? Love those red cupcakes! They seem to have the perfect moisture.
Thanks for sharing with us at #TwoUsesTuesday, shared at StumbleUpon
Hugs,
Pili
hehe That’s the point! Thanks for stopping by Pili!
Oh My, these sound heavenly! Totally trying these!
Thanks Erin!
These look so amazing!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Thank you Denise!
Yum! Homemade red velvet is one of my absolute favorites! 🙂 #SmallVictories
These look fantastic! I’m going to have to try to make these. Thank you for sharing! But I’m not thanking you for the sugar craving I now have LOL 😉
Hehe sorry Jenn! Thank you for stopping by!
Those cupcakes look amazing!
Thank you they are amazingly delish!
Red velvet cake is my ultimate favorite cake. MMMM. I throw in a little cool whip with my frosting to give it a little something extra. It’s soo good!.
Thanks for linking up with me at Manic Monday Linky Party!
I love red velvet cake. I have never made it homemade. but I will have to. This looks great!
Thanks Charlene I hope you enjoy them!