Description
Red Velvet Cupcakes are soft, tender, and perfectly moist with a subtle cocoa flavor and signature tang from buttermilk and vinegar. Finished with classic cream cheese frosting, these cupcakes are elegant, nostalgic, and ideal for birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Red Velvet Cupcakes:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring (gel preferred)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3–3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with liners.
- Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Mix in sour cream, vanilla, red food coloring, and vinegar.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.
- Divide batter evenly among liners, filling about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely before frosting.
- Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
- Pipe or spread frosting onto cooled cupcakes and serve.
Notes
- Use room-temperature ingredients for the best texture.
- Do not skip vinegar or buttermilk—they are essential for classic red velvet flavor.
- Avoid overmixing to keep cupcakes soft and fluffy.
- Gel food coloring gives vibrant color without thinning the batter.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 82mg
Keywords: Red Velvet Cupcakes, Classic Red Velvet Cupcakes, Cream Cheese Frosting Cupcakes