Red Velvet Cupcakes Cream Cheese

These red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting bring a festive touch perfect for summer celebrations like Memorial Day or the 4th of July. The bright red tender cakes combined with tangy, smooth frosting create a dessert that looks as joyful as it tastes, making it a staple for any backyard barbecue or picnic. Decorating with blue star sprinkles adds a whimsical, patriotic element that always delights guests of all ages.

I first baked these cupcakes for a family gathering and now they are requested every holiday. Their vibrant color and fun decoration always bring smiles and happy memories to the table.

Ingredients

• Allpurpose flour: 1 and one half cups for a tender crumb and structure, choose unbleached for best texture
• Granulated sugar: 1 cup to provide sweetness and moisture, white sugar keeps the color bright
• Baking soda: 1 teaspoon acts as a leavening agent to help cupcakes rise
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: 1 teaspoon adds subtle chocolate depth typical in red velvet cakes
• Salt: half teaspoon to balance flavors and enhance sweetness
• Buttermilk: 1 cup at room temp for acidity which tenderizes and adds moistness, please use fresh buttermilk for best results
• Vegetable oil: half cup provides fat for moist cupcakes, opt for neutral flavored oils like canola or sunflower
• Large eggs: 2 at room temperature for richness and structure
• White vinegar: 1 teaspoon reacts with baking soda for leavening and helps keep the red color vivid
• Pure vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons adds warm aromatic notes
• Red food coloring: 1 tablespoon for classic red appearance, gel or liquid can be used based on preference
• Cream cheese: 8 ounces softened for the tangy frosting base, full fat yields best creaminess
• Unsalted butter: 1 stick softened to balance cream cheese and create a smooth frosting
• Powdered sugar: 2 and a half cups for sweetening the frosting and achieving the right consistency
• Pure vanilla extract for frosting: 1 teaspoon for flavor depth in the frosting
• Salt for frosting: quarter teaspoon enhances the cream cheese frosting’s flavor
• Blue star sprinkles: for garnish, adding a festive patriotic look

Instructions

Prepare Dry Ingredients:

Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt in a large bowl until everything is combined evenly. This step ensures the leavening is distributed well and the texture of the cupcakes is consistent throughout.

Mix Wet Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, white vinegar, vanilla extract, and red food coloring together. Having all ingredients at room temperature helps the batter blend smoothly without lumps.

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:

Add the wet mixture slowly into the dry ingredients. Stir gently and scrape the sides of the bowl to avoid overmixing, which can make cupcakes dense rather than light and fluffy.

Bake the Cupcakes:

Spoon or scoop the batter evenly into cupcake liners filling about two thirds full to allow room for rising. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius for about 18 to 22 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the cupcake center that should come out clean or with very few crumbs.

Cool Completely:

Remove from oven and let the cupcakes cool in their pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool fully. Frosting warm cupcakes will cause melting and slipping.

Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting:

Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together with a mixer on medium speed until creamy and lump free. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt while continuing to beat until light and fluffy. Properly softened ingredients prevent a gritty or uneven texture.

Frost and Decorate:

Once the cupcakes are completely cool, apply frosting generously with a spatula or use a piping bag for decorative swirls. Finish with blue star sprinkles for a playful and festive look.

This frosting and cake pairing is my favorite part of the recipe because the cream cheese’s slight tang perfectly complements the cocoa and vanilla notes in the cupcake. I remember baking these with my kids last summer and how excited they were to add the blue star sprinkles themselves, making it a true family project full of fun and anticipation.

Storage Tips

Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature if consuming within two days. For longer storage, refrigerate them but bring to room temp before serving for best texture. Frosting can firm up in the fridge, so let cupcakes sit out for 20 minutes before eating.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use milk and vinegar or lemon juice if you don’t have buttermilk. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to curdle. Swap vegetable oil with melted coconut oil for a subtle aroma and moist crumb, though it adds a slight coconut taste. Replace red food coloring with a beet juice reduction for natural coloring and an earthy undertone.

Serving Suggestions

These cupcakes pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a light sparkling beverage. They’re perfect for patriotic holidays but also lovely for birthday parties and special occasions. Consider serving alongside fresh berries to enhance the color contrast and add a fresh note.

These red velvet cupcakes are a festive, crowd pleasing dessert that is simple to make and easy to adapt. Enjoy them at your next celebration.

Common Questions About Recipes

→ What gives the cupcakes their red color?

The vivid red hue comes from red food coloring, but you can substitute with a beet juice reduction for a natural alternative.

→ How do I make the cupcakes moist?

Using buttermilk and vegetable oil in the batter helps keep the cupcakes tender and moist throughout baking.

→ Can I prepare the frosting ahead of time?

Yes, cream cheese frosting can be made in advance and refrigerated, then whipped again before spreading to maintain its fluffy texture.

→ What is the best way to portion the batter?

Using an ice cream scoop ensures evenly sized cupcakes that bake uniformly and rise properly.

→ Why should ingredients be room temperature?

Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, resulting in a silky batter and lump-free frosting for the best consistency.