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A red velvet cupcake topped with a swirl of cream cheese frosting and red sprinkles, with more cupcakes in the background.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

  • Author: Julianne Dell
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 cupcakes

Description

These homemade red velvet cupcakes are light, fluffy, and moist, topped with the best cream cheese frosting!

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes

  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) pure vanilla extract
  • ¾ cups (143g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) vinegar
  • 1 cup (140g) sifted all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons sifted cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup (158ml) buttermilk
  • 2 teaspoons Super Red gel color

For the Frosting

  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold
  • 8 ounces (226g) full-fat cream cheese, cold
  • 3 ½ cups (455g) powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons (10ml) pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) heavy whipping cream (or milk)

Instructions

For the Cupcakes

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the vegetable oil, butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until well incorporated. Next add the sugar and beat until well combined. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
  3. Next mix add the sour cream, vinegar, buttermilk, and red gel color and beat until well combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining dry ingredients and add to the batter, beating until well combined. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and stir the batter from the bottom to the top to ensure it’s well mixed.
  5. Using a large cookie scoop, divide the batter evenly, filling each liner 2/3 full. Bake at 350°F for 14-16 minutes. Test the cupcakes for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cupcake. If the toothpick comes out clean, the cupcakes are done. Cool Completely.

For the Frosting

  1. Cut the butter into 1-inch blocks. Beat the butter for 2-3 minutes until it is light and fluffy.
  2. Then add the cream cheese and cream together for 2-3 minutes until they are fluffy and free of lumps, scape down the bowl occasionally.
  3. Slowly add confectionary sugar 1 cup at a time and alternating adding the vanilla extract and heavy cream. Beat on low speed until the powdered sugar has combined then increase speed to medium-high and beat for 1-2 minutes. Repeat until all the powdered sugar has been added and beat until the frosting is completely smooth.
  4. Frost the cooled cupcakes with a large open round piping tip.
Nutrition Information:
1 cupcake
420
47.7g
20.5g
57g
.4g
3.1g
61mg
  • Category: Cupcakes
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American