Description
These Red Velvet Cupcakes are the perfect treat to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Soft, moist, and bursting with the iconic red velvet flavor, these cupcakes are topped with a rich and creamy cream cheese frosting. A great dessert to share with someone special, they’re perfect for a romantic evening, a Valentine’s Day party, or just because you love red velvet!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp red food coloring
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp white vinegar
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar (depending on desired sweetness)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For Decoration (optional):
- Heart-shaped sprinkles or edible glitter
- Red and pink sugar crystals
- Fresh raspberries or mini chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Cupcake Tin:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Make the Cupcake Batter:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, vegetable oil, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
- Bake the Cupcakes:
- Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full with the cupcake batter.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
- Let the cupcakes cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, a little at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired sweetness and consistency.
- Add the vanilla extract and pinch of salt, then beat until fully combined.
- Frost the Cupcakes:
- Once the cupcakes have cooled, spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting on top of each cupcake using a knife or an offset spatula.
- For a decorative touch, pipe the frosting into a swirl if desired.
- Decorate and Serve:
- Sprinkle the cupcakes with heart-shaped sprinkles, edible glitter, or sugar crystals for extra festivity.
- Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Notes
- For the most vibrant red color, use a high-quality red food coloring.
- These cupcakes can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days, though it’s best to frost them just before serving to keep the frosting fresh.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the buttermilk with a non-dairy milk and vinegar mixture (1 cup non-dairy milk + 1 tbsp vinegar).
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cupcakes, Valentine’s Day Treat
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American, Valentine’s Day Special
Keywords: Red velvet cupcakes, Valentine’s Day cupcakes, red velvet dessert, cream cheese frosting, heart-shaped cupcakes, Valentine’s Day treats