There is something about red velvet that always makes me want to bake it as soon as I see that bottle of red food coloring in the pantry. This time, I turned the idea into cupcakes and kept the recipe simple, using a little cocoa and plain yogurt for the batter before topping each one with cream cheese frosting.

The final sprinkle of red velvet crumbs was the finishing touch that made them look just as good as they tasted. The cupcakes have a soft, tender crumb with a subtle cocoa flavor rather than an intense chocolate taste.

The tangy cream cheese frosting balances the sweetness and gives each cupcake that classic red velvet combination. If you want to keep the red velvet theme going, Red Velvet Cookies and Black Velvet Cheesecake Cookies are two more recipes to try.

Red Velvet Cupcakes Recipe

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These red velvet cupcakes have a soft cocoa-flavored crumb with a vibrant red color and a smooth cream cheese frosting. A light sprinkle of red velvet cupcake crumbs finishes each one for a simple homemade decoration.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 21 minutes mins

Total Time 36 minutes mins

Servings: 12 Cupcakes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 300

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition

Ingredients

  

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For the Cupcakes

• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• ¾ tsp baking powder
• ⅛ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 5 tbsp unsalted butter softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup plain yogurt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1½ tsp red gel food coloring

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

• ½ cup unsalted butter softened
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• Hand Mixer
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• 12-cup muffin pan
• Cupcake liners
• Wire cooling rack
• Piping bag
• Star piping tip
• Oven

Method

 

1. Add the softened butter and sugar to a mixing bowl and mix until creamy.
   
2. Add the yogurt and mix until combined.
   
3. Add the red velvet food coloring and mix well.
   
4. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix until smooth and well combined.
   
5. In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until combined.
   
7. Mix until a smooth red velvet batter forms.
   
8. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners.
   
9. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18–21 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
   
10. Remove from the oven and allow the cupcakes to cool completely.
    
11. Prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag.
12. Pipe the frosting over each cooled cupcake.
    
13. Arrange the frosted cupcakes together for serving.
    
14. Finish the cupcakes with a light sprinkle of red velvet cupcake crumbs over the frosting.
    

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 4gFat: 14gSodium: 180mgFiber: 1gSugar: 29g

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Red velvet cupcakes are a nice choice when you want something familiar but still a little more eye-catching on the dessert table. The mild cocoa flavor keeps the cake from being too rich, while the cream cheese frosting brings the tangy finish that makes red velvet stand out. The extra cupcake crumbs on top are a simple way to finish the batch without needing elaborate decoration.

Vamsi

I’ve always found joy in the kitchen. Since I was seven, cooking has been my favorite way to learn, create, and unwind. From baking sweet treats to exploring global flavors and brewing coffee, I’m always chasing my next delicious discovery.