Skip to main content

The Best Red Velvet Cupcake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Image
Donna Urso
This recipe for red velvet cupcakes has been my favorite cupcake recipe for years.   Red velvet cupcakes are my go-to cupcakes for parties and potlucks because everyone seems to love them.  

I love this recipe because it produces a classic red velvet cake that is moist and tender with a not-too-red cake color.  Of course, the cream cheese frosting is a must-have frosting with the contrast of sweetness and tang.  In my mind, you can’t have a red velvet cupcake without a huge dollop of cream cheese frosting.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

(This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.  Purchases made through these links help support this blog.)
Red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting
The Best Red Velvet Cupcakes

What You'll love about This Red Velvet Cupcake Recipe

The cupcakes are moist and tender. These cupcakes are made with oil instead of butter, resulting in a moister cake texture.  

Buttermilk adds fluffiness, tang, and adds the dairy flavor balance that might be missed without butter in the mix.  

Just the right amount of red color. I played around with the amount of red food coloring until I achieved the color I wanted for these cupcakes.  If you prefer a redder red velvet cupcake, add a little more coloring.

You'll taste the chocolate.  If you want flavor in your red velvet cupcake you want chocolate.  The 1/4 cup of cocoa powder in this recipe adds chocolate flavor.

The cream cheese frosting adds delicious sweetness and tang.

The Best Red Velvet Cupcakes

This recipe freezes well, so if you are in a make-ahead mode for a party this is a great recipe choice.  I’ve frozen the unfrosted cupcakes and frosted them just before serving and I’ve frozen the cupcakes frosted, too.  If you choose to freeze the frosted cupcakes, place the pan of cupcakes in the freezer to let the frosting set up before wrapping them in plastic wrap for storage.

Red velvet cupcakes are a festive dessert option for so many occasions.  The contrast of the red cupcake with the white cream cheese frosting makes these cupcakes perfect for many holiday celebrations. They work Memorial Day, the 4th of July, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and just because you want a yummy cupcake day.  I've even served them in a mini version at a bridal tea.

Red velvet cupcakes for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Christmas


 

Tips for Baking Success

You can make a substitute for buttermilk. Don't fret if you don't have any buttermilk on hand.  Try this instead.

Use oil in this recipe.  Don't substitute butter for vegetable oil. You'll be rewarded with moist, tender cupcakes.

Don't overmix the cupcake batter.  Overmixing will make your cupcakes tough.

Use a scoop to measure out the cupcake batter. It cuts down on drips and ensures all the cupcakes will be the same size.

Make uniform cupcakes using a scoop for batter



Apply the frosting with a star tip for a little fanciness.

Frosting red velvet cupcakes
Use a Pastry Bag with a Star Tip

Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Cupcakes 


More Favorite Cupcake Recipes



Lemon Lime Cupcakes, Molten Lava Cakes, Inside Out Cupcakes, Boston Cream Cupcakes

These lemon-lime cupcakes are my personal favorite.
Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes are a chocolate lovers delight.
Inside Out Chocolate Cupcakes are filled and frosted with yummy cream.
Boston Cream Cupcakes are mini Boston cream pies.




My Favorite Red Velvet Cupcakes

Valentine's Day Cupcakes, Christmas cupcakes, Patriotic Cupcakes
dessert
American
Yield: 24 cupcakes
Author: Donna Urso
Red Velvet Cupcakes

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 35 Min
The best classic red velvet cupcake recipe for a moist, tender, not too red cake, frosted with yummy cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

Cream Cheese Frosting

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line your muffin tins with cupcake liners.
  2. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cocoa in a bowl and set aside.
  3. In the bowl of your mixer (with a paddle attachment), mix the oil, sugar, and buttermilk. Add the eggs, food coloring, vinegar, vanilla, and water. Mix well.
  4. Add half the dry ingredients, stir and add the rest, scraping down the sides and mixing just to combine.
  5. Scoop the batter into the paper liners. Bake for 20-30 minutes until the cupcakes spring back when touched and a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. To make the cream cheese frosting cream together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla using your electric mixer and the paddle attachment.
  7. Sift the sugar into the cream cheese and butter mixture, mix on medium speed until well combined.
  8. Spread a generous amount of the frosting on each cupcake or get fancy using decorator tips and a bag.

Notes

I love using a scoop to measure the batter for cupcakes. It cuts down on drips and ensures all the cupcakes will be the same size. 

Don't over-mix your batter to avoid making a tough cupcake. 

Recommended Products:

Wilton Decorating Tip Set
Set of Three Baking Scoops
Wilton Seasonal Cupcake Liners

Nutrition Facts

Calories

240.64

Fat (grams)

11.42

Sat. Fat (grams)

4.35

Carbs (grams)

33.87

Fiber (grams)

0.29

Net carbs

33.57

Sugar (grams)

29.42

Protein (grams)

1.66

Sodium (milligrams)

53.85

Cholesterol (grams)

39.71

Nutrional information is approximate.

Similar Recipes

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Make Amazing Chocolatey Chocolate Cupcakes

Lemon-Lime Cupcakes

https://www.justonedonna.com/2016/08/red-velvet-cupcake-with-cream-cheese-frosting.html
©Just One Donna
This recipe has become my go-to recipe for red velvet cupcakes.  I'm confident you will love them, too.
PIN This
Red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting are the best cupcakes for patriotic holidays.


Enjoy!

Comments

Post a Comment

Talk to me. I welcome your comments. (These comments are strictly moderated. Spammers take note.)

More Popular Posts

Grandma's Soft and Chewy Date-Filled Cookies

Donna Urso
One of the things I can count on as the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons arrive each year is a feeling of nostalgia. The traditional foods we serve at our family's holiday tables can sure bring out all the feels. Now that it is officially cookie season, we should kick it off with an old-fashioned homemade date-filled cookie recipe. This is a soft, tender cookie with dates that is a special, nostalgic, family recipe.   An Old-Fashioned Date Cookies Recipe This old-fashioned, date-filled cookie was my dad's favorite cookie from his childhood. My dad was born in 1932 so this recipe has been around for quite a while. 
16 comments
Read more

Bread Machine Dinner Rolls

Donna Urso
Are you looking for an easy dinner roll recipe? The easiest way to make fresh dinner rolls is with your bread machine. Relax while you use the dough setting of your bread machine to get the time-intensive steps out of the way. You'll be delighted with the results of this easy bread machine dinner roll recipe. The best bread machine dinner rolls are the ones you make yourself. How to Make Bread Machine Dinner Rolls This post contains Amazon affiliate links. When you use your bread machine to make dinner rolls most of the work is done by the machine.  You'll be delighted with how easy it is to make fresh rolls. While most of the work is being done by the bread machine you can be doing something else.
4 comments
Read more

Making Pie Dough-America's Test Kitchen Vodka Dough

Donna Urso
How many of you watch America's Test Kitchen shows on your local PBS station?  Show of hands, please.  Well, those of you who don't have your hands raised really should check your local TV listings and catch one of the shows soon.  The programs are full of ideas and tips, like this suggestion that you can make a better pie dough using vodka as one of the ingredients.  I know, sounds crazy doesn't it? Vodka Pie Dough Pie dough is not my thing.  No, not at all.  Yes, I've been known to purchase the prepared pie dough from my local grocery store.  No, I'm not ashamed to admit it, and neither should you be.  My mom, keeps telling me that making pie dough is easy.  Yes, easy as pie.  Well, I'm finally willing to tackle the art of making pie dough.  I actually started about a year ago.  I selected different dough recipes, made some pies and compared the crust results.  I had no clear winner with my first attempt a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Traditional New England Whoopie Pies

Donna Urso
Are you searching for the ultimate, classic New England whoopie pie recipe? Look no further! Whoopie pies are a beloved treat, a nostalgic dessert that evokes childhood memories and continues to delight today. My mom would make them for us every once in a while. Oh, what a treat to come home from school to a platter of chocolate whoopie pies! This recipe, inspired by traditional Maine-style whoopie pies, comes from my family recipe box. It delivers soft, chocolatey cakes with a rich, creamy cooked filling – no marshmallow fluff needed! The Best Whoopie Pies Recipe without Marshmallow Fluff This post includes affiliate links. Whoopie pies are essentially handheld cake sandwiches: soft, round, cake-like cookies embracing a luscious, creamy filling.  While their origin is debated, New Englanders proudly claim them as their own. This recipe focuses on the traditional Maine-style filling, a cooked flour and milk mixture that creates a uniquely satisfying t...
11 comments
Read more

Crunchy, Spicy Gingersnap Cookies

Donna Urso
Today I'm sharing my recipe for the cookie recipe that I think is the ultimate spice cookie, Gingersnaps. Crunchy, spicy, and yummy are all words used to describe a good gingersnap cookie and this recipe delivers! While you may love a gooey chocolate chip cookie occasionally substituting a spicy gingersnaps cookie or  this molasses cookie  will make your taste buds sing!  Traditional Ginger Snaps Cookie Recipe ( This post contains affiliate links.  I will be compensated when you make a purchase with these links.) Gingersnaps Cookies This old-fashioned gingersnap cookie is a winner.  It's easy to make and will be a favorite in your recipe rotation. In the U.S., gingersnaps are usually drop cookies with lots of cracks on the surface.  That's exactly how I like them.  Those found in other countries may be thinner and sliced.  The Lebkuchen, a traditional German cookie, and the pepparkakor, from Sweden, are often cut into festiv...
9 comments
Read more

The Best Asian Dipping Sauce You'll Ever Taste

Donna Urso
If you're looking for a versatile, easy-to-make Asian dipping sauce perfect for sushi and dumplings, then you've come to the right place. This recipe for the best Asian dipping sauce is perfect for any time you want a  kick of delicious Asian flavor. An Asian Dipping Sauce for Sushi and Dumplings Try this if you are looking for a dipping sauce that is a little more flavorful than you typically get with your takeout order. You'll love it with dumplings, too!
2 comments
Read more

How to Make a Perfect Bacon and Eggs Breakfast

Donna Urso
In my opinion, the best breakfast consists of two perfectly fried eggs, crispy bacon, and toast made with hearty bread. This bacon and eggs recipe delivers. Bacon and eggs or eggs and bacon? No matter, it is definitely the breakfast you want on those lazy mornings when you have time to relax around the kitchen table, drinking a cup of coffee or two. The Best Bacon and Eggs Breakfast (This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.  When you make a purchase using these links you help support this blog.) How to Cook Bacon and Eggs My technique was learned from my mom, by watching her make our family's breakfast over and over again, year after year.  This is a basted egg recipe which means the eggs are cooked in bacon grease. Cooking eggs in bacon fat is easy and takes just a little practice to perfect. All you really need for a great bacon and eggs breakfast is a good nonstick skillet and a good toaster . If you want to make your own bre...
2 comments
Read more

My Favorite Clam Dip

Donna Urso
It is easy to make clam dip at home with a few ingredients, you may even have on hand now.   That makes this dip easy to whip together for a party or holiday gathering as well as watching the big game this weekend. How to Make Classic Clam Dip: Easy Recipe and Tips for Success Make the clam dip a day or two ahead of serving for optimal flavor, but if you are like me you'll make it and eat it the same day. It's that good. Reasons to Love This Clam Dip Recipe If you're looking for a classic party dip that's sure to please a crowd, then look no further than this delicious clam dip recipe. Here are just a few reasons to love this recipe: It's easy to make: With just a few simple ingredients and some basic kitchen skills, you can whip up this tasty dip in no time. You can make this dip entirely by hand, no electric equipment is necessary. The ingredients ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Ultimate Cinnamon Swirl Bread: A Bread Machine Recipe

Donna Urso
Today's recipe will fill your kitchen with an incredible aroma and lots of smiles. It's homemade cinnamon swirl bread made with your bread machine Easy Cinnamon Swirl Bread in Your Bread Machine  This post includes affiliate links. This recipe brings together the ease of your trusty bread machine with the deliciousness of a warm, sweet, and perfectly swirled cinnamon bread. Get ready for a slice of pure comfort!
Post a Comment
Read more

Amaretti Cookies for Your Christmas Cookie Platter

Donna Urso
Are you looking for Christmas cookie suggestions? During the holiday season, while you're pondering classic Christmas cookie favorites like sugar cookies and gingerbread men, consider adding a touch of Italian flair to your Christmas cookie platter.  Try Amaretti, delicate Italian almond cookies, with a subtly sweet flavor and crumbly texture. They are sure to become a cherished family treat. These classic Italian cookies have become a favorite Christmas cookie at my house. How to Make Classic Italian Amaretti Cookies Homemade Amaretti cookies bring a touch of sophistication and elegance to any dessert spread, making them perfect holiday treats. Their crisp, slightly chewy texture offers a delightful contrast to the usual soft, gooey holiday desserts. With a subtle almond sweetness, these cookies appeal to adults and kids alike and bring a taste of Italy to your holiday table. What Are Amaretti Cookies? Amaretti cookies have a rich history i...
Post a Comment
Read more