It seems to be a love/hate relationship when it comes to red velvet, but I love it and these red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting are one of my favorites!
I have to say, this was the first time ever making red velvet cupcakes and I was floored with the results!!
They were so soft and moist, and had the perfect taste (I always thought red velvet cupcakes were just vanilla cupcakes with some red food coloring!) I loved the color more than anything, but that makes sense since red is my favorite color. I already want to make these cupcakes again but I must resist because we already have way too many leftovers in this house.
I made the red velvet cupcakes for a purpose. You will see that purpose tomorrow, but for now I thought I would share how I made these wonderful treats. I should let it be known that you will need a good amount of red food coloring. Add more coloring depending on how deep of a red shade you want. I added in a couple of blue food coloring drops to deepen the red, but don't add too much or you might turn the cupcakes purple.
📖 Recipe
Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
So soft and moist, these cupcakes hold up quite well the following day!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cake and pastry flour
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 1 cup melted coconut oil
- 1 ¼ cups buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 2 tbsp. red food coloring
- 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Cream Cheese Frosting
- ½ cup butter, room temperature
- 1 cup cream cheese (one brick), room temperature
- 4 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line cupcake pan with liners.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla. Mix until well combined.
- While that is mixing, sift together the flours, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder into a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine. With the mixer on low, slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Place the mixture into each cup, measuring about ⅔ full. Place into oven and bake for 17-20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool for about 5 minutes in pan before transferring to cooling rack.
Frosting
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the cream cheese and butter. Beat until light and fluffy, a good 5 minutes. Add in the vanilla and mix until combined. Add in the confectioners' sugar, stopping at 4 cups to see how your consistency is. If you want a stiffer consistency, add more sugar until you reach your desired texture. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes (they have to be cool!!)
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 370Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 217mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 1gSugar: 34gProtein: 4g
As for the icing, I feel red velvet needs to pair with cream cheese frosting! This recipe turned out beautifully. Many thanks to Girls in Aprons for sharing her wonderful recipe. I ended up adding more confectioners' sugar (almost 5 cups) so that my consistency would hold its shape. Cream cheese frosting is famous for not staying up, but since the weather is cold here, I wasn't too concerned about the icing slipping. Though Mr. TCW was taking these into work for his coworkers so I was afraid the heat in the truck would cause the icing to melt. I think it worked out great!
My little taste-tester insisted on me taking a picture of her trying the cupcakes. I couldn't refuse. She loved the cupcake so much she insisted on daddy sharing his cupcake with her (he only ponied up one bite!)
Now, there is a surprise. I made these red velvet cupcakes for a reason, and you will see why tomorrow! I have made this cupcake with my neighbor in the past, but decided to try a new recipe. While I hit some bumps here and there, I like how the creation turned out. In a way, the design is unique, all the while being inspired from a popular post. So close to Halloween, and so little time to share some spooky creations!
The Spooky surprise is up now! Check it out here.
Sheila @ Life, Love, and Good Food
Beautiful cupcakes -- red velvet is a favorite around our house!
Kacey
Thanks, Sheila! We love it here.
Julie @ Texan New Yorker
I love anything red velvet, these sound amazing. Your photos are truly stunning, too!
Kacey
Thank you, Julie!!
Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie
Nothing better than Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Icing! This looks insanely good!!
Kacey
A classic pairing 🙂
Katerina @ Diethood
You, girlie, make some stunning desserts! The cupcakes are beyond beautiful, but that little babe? OMG! GORGEOUS!!
Kacey
I take full credit for everything! Haha, thanks!
Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah
So love that red velvet season is upon us! These look just perfect and delicious. Looking forward to reading what you used them for 😀
Kacey
I agree, Chrisy! I love red velvet for Halloween and Christmas!
Kristyn
What a classic recipe! And your frosting looks amazing and delicious! 🙂
Kacey
Thank you!
Erin
I could just eat the bowl of cream cheese frosting!!!! These look gorgeous.
Kacey
Cream cheese frosting is soooooo good (but I do not like cheesecake which is a bit strange!)
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert
This looks like a simple, delicious recipe! This will be perfect for my kids!
Kacey
Thanks, Sabrina!
Jennifer Stewart
I love red velvet cake I think because of the tang! I am always amazed that such a tiny amount of vinegar can change the taste so much! And, of course, that buttermilk is so decadent!
Kacey
It must be that! I try and use buttermilk as much as possible in cakes because there is something about that tangy flavour.
Joanie @ Zagleft
Gorgeous cupcakes, Kacey! That icing looks so pretty swirled on top but your little girl steals the show - she's adorable!!
Kacey
I have no problem being second best to her 🙂
Kimberly Ann @ Bake Love GIve
These are gorgeous! I love a good cream cheese frosting paired with my red velvet too. 🙂
Kacey
They are such a perfect pairing!
Nutmeg Nanny
There is nothing more perfect than red velvet cupcakes. Well, actually you made them more perfect by throwing on cream cheese frosting...yum!
Kacey
I don't think there is any other way to eat red velvet cupcakes but with cream cheese frosting 🙂