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Cupcakes & Cake

Red Velvet Cupcakes

October 11, 2010October 23, 2023 17 comments

Red Velvet… I have been scared to attempt you.   So scared.  Your flavor, texture and color are so unique… when you’re done wrong… everyone knows.  But, I can proudly say that as of today, Red Velvet… I HAVE MASTERED YOU and YOU SCARE ME NO MORE!

So moist, so full of flavor and topped with a cream cheese frosting that is to die for, these Red Velvet cupcakes are definitely ones for the recipe book!

Made from a recipe found on Joy the Baker’s website, these Red Velvet cupcakes are super easy to put together!  The cocoa and vinegar add such a unique flavor to the cake which allows the cinnamon in the cream cheese frosting to explode with flavor!

Plus, Joy the Baker said they were her favorite! So I knew they HAD to be good!!

Red Velvet Cupcakes
Recipe from Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook

Makes approx 12-14 cupcakes

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 1/2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3 Tablespoons red food coloring
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar

In the bowl of a stand mixer fit with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about three minutes. Turn mixer to high and add the egg. Scrape down the bowl and beat until well incorporated.

In a separate bowl mix together cocoa, vanilla and red food coloring to make a thick paste. Add to the batter, mixing thoroughly until completely combined. You may need to stop the mixer to scrape the bottom of the bowl, making sure that all the batter gets color.

Turn mixer to low and slowly add half of the buttermilk. Add half of the flour and mix until combined. Scrape the bowl and repeat the process with the remaining milk and flour. Beat on high until smooth.

Turn mixer to low and add baking soda and white vinegar. Turn to high and beat a few more minutes.

Spoon batter into a paper lined Cupcake baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center cupcake comes out clean.

Let rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then place them of a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
adapted from Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook

2 1/3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
3 Tablespoons butter, room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, cold
scant 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract(not in the recipe, but I added it)

Beat the powdered sugar, cinnamon, and butter together in the bowl of a stand mixer fit with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-slow speed until it comes together and is well mixed.

Add the cream cheese all at once and beat on medium to medium-high until incorporated.

Add the vanilla and mix until incorporated.

Turn the mixer to medium-high and beat for 5 minutes, or until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.

Do not over-beat as the frosting can quickly become runny.

Notice anything different about these little cuties?  Yup… they are TALL!!  I used this pan I found at IKEA and the liners that go with the pan!  I seriously think the Swedes are on to something here!

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17 comments

  1. Courtney says:
    October 11, 2010 at 9:44 pm

    Oh me oh my! I love these! Very charming. Heading to Ikea asap! 🙂

    Reply
  2. The Rocket Queen says:
    October 11, 2010 at 9:54 pm

    Oh no!!! No cake flour?!?! It’s what makes it!

    I;m also a double red velvet snob……i prefer the traditional cooked vanilla buttercream to the cream cheese frosting.

    Sidenote: Swedes don’t use liners! They bake them without. Interesting, no?

    Reply
    1. JavaCupcake says:
      October 11, 2010 at 10:08 pm

      I know you told me cake flour…. but this recipe didn’t call for it and I’d never made it before and didn’t want to screw it up!! haha 🙂 NEXT TIME I use your recipe! 🙂

      Reply
  3. joy the baker says:
    October 11, 2010 at 11:15 pm

    so pretty!!! DANG!

    Reply
    1. JavaCupcake says:
      October 12, 2010 at 10:42 am

      Thanks Joy! Glad you liked them 🙂

      Reply
  4. Michelle says:
    October 12, 2010 at 12:24 am

    Beautiful… love the tins. I have never had a red velvet cupcake.. much less made one.. this recipe looks like something I could handle… might have to give it a try 🙂

    Reply
    1. JavaCupcake says:
      October 12, 2010 at 8:11 am

      Michelle….

      This recipe is so easy!! Definitely worth a try!!

      <3 Betsy

      Reply
  5. aini says:
    October 12, 2010 at 1:19 am

    pretty pretty cupcakes! and i got the same cupcake cups, from ikea! 😀

    Reply
  6. Jeanne Hanigan says:
    October 12, 2010 at 7:07 pm

    I am one of the proud recipient tasters of these creations. They are delicious. Eating the taller cupcake version is like enjoying an ice cream cone… minus the worry about melting. Thanks, Betsy.

    Reply
    1. JavaCupcake says:
      October 12, 2010 at 7:25 pm

      Thanks Jeanne…. I mean Ms. Dressel…. I mean Mrs. Hanigan!! 🙂 It was great to see you in class today!! I’m glad you enjoyed the cupcakes!

      xoxo Betsy

      Reply
  7. Rose Plated says:
    October 26, 2010 at 9:21 pm

    Oh. These are really cute! The style is different than the usual cupcakes I make. Thanks for sharing its recipe! I will definitely try this out this coming weekends! I am sure my kids will love this.

    Reply
  8. Melanie Big says:
    November 7, 2010 at 10:00 am

    This is so indulging and the shape makes me amaze. That is the most cool cupcake that I’ve seen for all the searches. The cream frosting makes it more yummier.

    Reply
  9. Becky says:
    July 16, 2011 at 8:58 am

    Great RECIPE! Thanks for sharing! Where did you get this fascinating cupcake pan?

    Reply
    1. JavaCupcake says:
      July 16, 2011 at 9:55 am

      Becky…
      I got this pan at IKEA! Along with the liners! 🙂
      Betsy

      Reply
  10. Carmen says:
    December 16, 2014 at 7:08 pm

    What about food coloring – some people say depending on the food coloring you will get either a nasty taste or brown instead of red cake? Which is the best food coloring to use?

    Reply
    1. Betsy Eves says:
      December 16, 2014 at 7:54 pm

      I use either Wilton or Americolor gel coloring for all my red cakes!

      Reply
      1. Carmen says:
        December 30, 2014 at 4:44 pm

        Thank you
        Also can this recipe also be used instead of cupcakes to make a two or three tire Red Velvelt Cake?

        Reply

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Betsy Eves, Founder

Hi, I’m Betsy Eves, the baker and storyteller behind JavaCupcake. I love whipping up delicious recipes and sharing my real-life adventures, inviting you into a cozy space where recipes meet real life.

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