Moist Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

These red velvet cupcakes are AWESOME! My husband said they were better than our local bakery. Now that’s a compliment.

Give this recipe a try and you won’t be disappointed.  Deep red color, moist, soft fluffy crumb and slathered with a sinful cream cheese frosting. Now, that’s perfection!

Red velvet cupcake cut in half on a cream colored plate.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • These cupcakes are sinfully delicious with a soft, moist, tender crumb, and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting.
  • This red velvet cupcake recipe is super easy to make and comes out perfect every time.

Tips

  • Always measure your flour properly. Aerate the flour, spoon it into the measuring cup, then level it off with the flat part of a knife. Adding too much flour will result in dense dry cupcakes.
  • The key to light and fluffy cupcakes is DO NOT overmix. Mix just until combined.
  • Buttermilk – If you don’t have buttermilk on hand you can make your own. Place 1 1/2 Tablespoons white vinegar in a measuring cup. Pour milk into a measuring cup until it reaches 1 1/2 cups total. Let it sit for about 5 minutes.
Wet ingredients in a glass bowl.

How to Make Moist Red Velvet Cupcakes

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with cupcake liners.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.

Red velvet cupcakes batter in a glass bowl.

In a large bowl gently beat the oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla extract. I just use a handheld electric mixer.

Add the dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake papers, about 2/3 full.

Unfrosted baked cupcakes on a wire rack.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let cool completely before frosting.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting on a white plate.

Prepare the frosting by creaming the unsalted butter and cream cheese together until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar a cup at a time and vanilla. Frost the cupcakes as you like.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the flavor of red velvet cupcakes?

Southern red velvet cupcakes are basically a vanilla cake with a small amount of cocoa powder and red food coloring added. It tastes slightly chocolatey with a tanginess from the buttermilk and vinegar. This balances out the flavor of the sweet cream cheese frosting.

Why Do The Ingredients Need to Be at Room Temperature for baking?

Room temperature, eggs, butter, and other dairy ingredients will result in a better emulsion. Proper air incorporation, butter distribution, emulsification, and sugar dissolving. While baking in the oven, that trapped air expands and produces a light and fluffy baked good.

How Long do Red Velvet Cupcakes Keep?

Store the cupcakes covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Can You Freeze Cupcakes?

Yes, you can freeze the cupcakes but they must be unfrosted. The cream cheese frosting does not freeze well. Wrap unfrosted cupcakes tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.

More Cupcake Recipes

Red Velvet Cupcakes - These cupcakes are so moist and flavorful! My husband claims they are better than our local bakery.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Deep red color, moist, soft fluffy crumb and slathered with a sinful cream cheese frosting. So much better than bakery cupcakes!
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 24
Calories: 323kcal
Author: Leigh Harris

Ingredients
 

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 3 Tbs red food coloring (I only used 2 Tbs, that was all I had)
  • 1 tsp distilled white vinegar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 Tbs unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 3 3/4-4 1/2 cups powdered sugar (this will depend on how thick you like the frosting)
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

Cupcakes

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with cupcake liners.
  • In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
  • In a large bowl beat the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs,  red food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla extract.
  • Add the dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.
  • Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake papers, about 2/3 full.
  • Bake 20 to 22 minutes. Or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Let cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • Beat the butter and cream cheese together. Add powdered sugar a cup at a time and vanilla.

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 219mg | Potassium: 55mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 233IU | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

Recipe from GirlsinAprons

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30 Comments

  1. These are honestly the best red velvet cupcakes I have ever made. Every measurement is spot on! Taste is perfect. This is a winner. My friends and family always love when I make these for them5 stars

  2. Oh I truly adore cupcakes and red velvet is delicious. Looks amazing. Happy new Year! Thanks for linking up to #ShareWithMe5 stars

  3. Red Velvet is a family favorite! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday! I’m excited to start the party back up this week…hope you can come join me! Happy New Year! Pinned!

  4. Yum! I can’t wait to try this recipe! Thanks so much for sharing at the Talented Tuesday Link Party!

  5. Oh yum! I have never made red velvet from scratch. They look delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

  6. My husband loves everything red velvet, so I’m pinning this! Thanks for sharing at the Submarine Sunday Link Party!!

  7. Red Velvet is my favorite. I’ll have to give your recipe a try! Thank you for sharing at Merry Monday!

  8. I’m sure you have planned make me hungry, right?? Love those red cupcakes! They seem to have the perfect moisture.
    Thanks for sharing with us at #TwoUsesTuesday, shared at StumbleUpon
    Hugs,

    Pili

  9. These look fantastic! I’m going to have to try to make these. Thank you for sharing! But I’m not thanking you for the sugar craving I now have LOL 😉5 stars

  10. Red velvet cake is my ultimate favorite cake. MMMM. I throw in a little cool whip with my frosting to give it a little something extra. It’s soo good!.

    Thanks for linking up with me at Manic Monday Linky Party!5 stars

5 from 9 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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