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There is something about red velvet cake that intrigues me. I mean who would have ever thought adding red dye to a basic cake recipe would turn into something so incredibly iconic. I remember watching Steel Magnolias as a kid and being mildly repulsed by red velvet armadillo cake. In fact, I think it was that scene that turned me off to red velvet until adulthood. In my mind, eating red velvet cake was equivalent to eating an armadillo.
Fast forward twenty years and you’ll still find me repulsed by that atrocious armadillo creation, but not by red velvet cake, especially when it’s in the form of cupcakes that are slathered in decadent cream cheese frosting.
This recipe was introduced to me over two year ago by Em, of the blog, The Repressed Pastry Chef, and it has remained my go to red velvet recipe. Not only is this cake recipe delicious, it’s also perfect for Valentine’s Day. There is really nothing more lovely than that rich dark red color topped with bright white cream cheese frosting and flecked with adorable open heart sprinkles.
The other fab thing about this recipe is that it only makes 12 cupcakes, so if you’re indulging a small crew, you’re not required to do any measurement scaling. This is always a plus in my book. If you are looking for a delicious and adorable way to surprise your sweetie, you’ve definitely stumbled upon the right recipe!
Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:
For the Cupcakes
1 cup cake flour 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 2/3 cup vegetable oil 3/4 granulated sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 tablespoons red food coloring 1/2 cup buttermilk 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon white vinegarFor the Cream Cheese Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening 3 tablespoons butter, softened to room temperature 1 pound confectioners’ sugar (about 3 ¾ cups), sifted 2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract*Directions:
For the Cupcakes
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12 cupcake wells with paper liners or spray pan with spray with nonstick cooking spray. 2. Sift together cake flour, cocoa powder and salt. 3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine oil and sugar until well-blended. Add egg and mix until combined. 4. Turn your mixer down to the lowest speed add vanilla then slowly add in the food coloring. Note:If you are using liquid food coloring, it will take about 2 tablespoons of coloring to get a dark red shade. I used about 1 tablespoon of gel dye to achieve the shade in the photographs. Add the dye slowly and color according to your preference. 5. Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk in two batches; scrape down the side of the bowl. Continue mixing until just combined, taking care not to over mix. 6. Place baking soda in a small dish, stir in vinegar and add to batter with machine running. Beat for about 10 seconds. 7. Using a medium scoop (about 3 tablespoons), divide batter among between the 12 wells, filling each well about 2/3 full of batter. Bake for 20-24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Be careful not to over bake.For the Cream Cheese Frosting
1. In a the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together, cream cheese, shortening, and butter until well combined. 2. With the mixer of low, gradually add the confectioners’ sugar until thoroughly incorporated and smooth. Add vanilla and mix to combine.Notes:
- This cupcake recipe has been scaled down from the original recipe by The New York Times. Follow the link provided to view the full recipe. - Clear vanilla extract was used in the cream cheese frosting recipe to maintain a bright white color. Feel free to substitute pure vanilla extract in its place. - Brown liners were purchased at Bake It Pretty. - I used the large round tip from Bake it Pretty to frost the cupcakes. You can view my piping video tutorial within this post. - The sprinkles are made by Wilton.Follow Jamie on Instagram. We love to see what you're baking from MBA! Be sure to tag @jamiemba and use the hashtag #mbarecipes!
Plss give a optional for egg..means eggles cake nd cookie
Just made these and they were a hit! Thanks for the piping video, I was looking for something simple and straightforward. I usually don’t try to be fancy but today I made some fancy looking cupcakes. My boys were impressd ;).
When red velvet was made from scratch the red was from beets not food coloring. So, if someone has a red sensitivity, as some do in my son’s class, roasted pureed beets will give that brilliant red color.
I love baking but I do not love eating cake. I bake and give out or make for people. I have been searching for a red velvet cake that’s moist snd fluffy and not too oily. I made this and it was exactly that. I used all purpose flour and stillll……..
I made 12 cupcakes just now and 2 are gone already. The third would av disappeared but I am typing.
My only prob was my colour. Was more off maroon.
I hope I leave some for hubby. Hahaha
Hi.
Would just like to know if this recipe could be made eggless as im vegetarian but would love to have this. Thanks :)
Disha, I’m not sure as I’ve never tried it. Eggs are usually pretty important to a cake like this, but you might be able to use “flax eggs” instead. Google those for instructions.
– Jamie
Hi! Looks like a great recipe–
Curious, I have a TON of pastry flour on hand and wondered if I could use that instead of cake flour? It’s similar….
Jonni-
I have not attempted this recipe with pastry flour, so I am unable to attest to how it will perform when used in this recipe. Sorry I am not more of a help. Thanks for stopping by.
-Jamie
Oooo, these are wonderful! I am a cupcake person and I will totally give this recipe a try. I’m sure it’s going to be as delicious as it looks :)
Great recipe! Love that it just made 12,not the usual 24. They disappeared quickly :-) I’m going to try doubling it to make a 9 X 13 birthday cake for my daughter. Have you ever tried that?
Lori-
I haven’t tried making it like that, but please stop back and let us know your experience with the recipe! Have a fantastic day and happy birthday to your daughter!
-Jamie
So excited to bake this recipe! Can anyone help me out to the conversion of recipe from cups to grams? I’m having difficulties with it!
Based on the package one cup flour or cake flour is 128 grams. One cup sugar is 200 grams. Liquids one cup is 250 ml but American cups are 237 ml.1/4 cup cocoa is 20 grams but I would use 5-10 grams to get more red color.