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Red Velvet Cupcakes

The perfect red velvet cupcakes. They are moist and flavorful, topped with the most delicious cream cheese frosting!!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Frosting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
YIELD 12 cupcakes

Ingredients

  • 1 ⅛ cup (130g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tablespoons (10g) cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (1 stick/115g) unsalted butter, softened room temperature
  • ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons (170g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-2 tablespoons red food coloring (liquid or gel)
  • ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar (or distilled white vinegar)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • ⅔ cup (150g) full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
  • ½ cup (1 stick/115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar, plus more as needed
  • ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt , optional

Instructions

Cupcakes

  1. Preheat oven to 350℉/180℃. Line muffin tin with liner papers. Set aside.

  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt. Set aside.

  3. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3-5 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary. Add egg and mix to combine. Add vanilla, food coloring, and vinegar, and beat until combined. On low speed, beat in flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the buttermilk in 2 additions, starting and ending with the flour. Do not over mix.

  4. Divide batter evenly between liners, filling them about ⅔ full. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

Frosting

  1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, 2-3 minutes. Add sugar in 2 additions, beating well after each addition until smooth. Add vanilla and keep beating until smooth and fluffy. You can add more sugar as necessary until desired consistency (thick enough to pipe). You can also add a pinch of salt to cut sweetness. Pipe frosting onto cupcakes.

  2. Frosted cupcakes can be kept for up to 3 days at room temperature or in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Unfrosted cupcakes can be kept in the freezer for up to 2 months, then thawed overnight in the fridge. Frosting can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It doesn’t freeze well. Before using, bring to room temperature and whisk by hand for a few seconds until smooth.