Red Velvet Cupcakes Cream Cheese (Printable)
Moist red velvet cupcakes topped with smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting for a delightful treat.
# What You Need:
→ Cupcakes
01 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
04 - 1/4 tsp salt
05 - 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
06 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
07 - 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
08 - 1 large egg, room temperature
09 - 1 tbsp red food coloring
10 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
11 - 1/2 tsp white vinegar
→ Cream Cheese Frosting
12 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
13 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
14 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
15 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
16 - Pinch of salt
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder until well blended.
03 - In a separate large bowl, whisk together oil, buttermilk, egg, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar until smooth and uniform.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, folding until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender texture.
05 - Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each approximately 2/3 full.
06 - Bake for 16-18 minutes until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
07 - Let cupcakes cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
08 - Beat cream cheese and butter together in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.
09 - Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until fluffy. Incorporate vanilla and salt until fully combined.
10 - Generously frost completely cooled cupcakes using a spatula or piping bag for decorative finish.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The tender crumb literally melts against your tongue, while that subtle chocolate whispers rather than shouts
- Cream cheese frosting on anything is basically a love letter to yourself, and I wont apologize for it
02 -
- Overmixing the batter will make your cupcakes tough, so stop as soon as the flour disappears
- Completely cool cupcakes before frosting or the cream cheese will slide right off
03 -
- Sift your powdered sugar before making frosting to avoid those tiny lumps that ruin smooth frosting
- Add a drop of red food coloring to the frosting for matching color perfection