This is the best red velvet cupcakes recipe ever! Red velvet cupcakes are a light cupcake with a beautiful red color and a slight chocolate flavor. These light and fluffy red velvet cupcakes are perfect with cream cheese frosting or fluffy vanilla buttercream frosting.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

My favorite cupcake is chcocolate cupcakes with chocolate buttercream frosting. Tom’s favorite cupcake is red velvet. For theh longest time he asked me to make him red velvet cupcakes. I may have dragged my feet on making them because I don’t love them. I like them, I like how moist they are but they are not my favorite cupcake. I finally did make him red velvet cupcakes and he was super happy about it.

However they were not perfect so I set to work coming up with the perfect red velvet cupcake recipe and I finally made it. It took a bit of testing, which I did not hear any complaints from Tom about until we got the perfect classic red velvet cupcake but here it is. This cupcake recipe is so easy to make that anyoone can make it and have amazing red velvet cupcakes.

This red velvet cupcake recipe is Tom approved and if you have a picky red velvet cupcake fan in your house then this is the red velvet cupcake recipe you want to make. If you are looking for the perfect moist cupcke then this is it. Top it with cream cheese frosting for the best red velvet cupcake ever!

What are Red Velvet Cupcakes?

Red velvet cupcakes are made with cocoa powder, buttermilk and vinegar that react to give them a maroon color that is then enhanced with red food coloring if wanted. These moist cupcakes have a flavor that is similar to combining vanilla and chocolate in one cupcake. This classic red velvet cupcake has a smooth texture with just a hint of cocoa that is not overpowering.

How is red velvet different then chocolate?

Chocolatte cupcakes have a stronger flavor then red velvet when it comes to the cocoa flavors. Red velvet cupcakes taste like a combination oof cchoolate and vanilla cupcakes in one. Well kind of taste like that, they do have a distinct flavor of their own but if you are trying to explain the flavor to someone then that iiis the best way to do so.

What Frosting goes with Red Velvet cupcakes?

Traditionally cream cheese frosting is used with red velvet cupcakes but you can also use vanilla buttercream frosting, almond buttercream frosting, or almond buttercream frosting.

Tips for Baking Cupcakes

Follow the recipe. Each cupcake recipe is different. It is important to follow the recipe as directed. all of our cupcake recipes have been tested multiple times to make sure they are perfect.

Bring ingredients to room temperature. Cupcakes will bake best when the ingredients are brought to room temperature before mixing the cupcake batter.

Do not over mix. Over mixing the batter will lead to having tough and flat cupcakes. When making cupcakes you have to be careful that you don’t over mix the batter when you are folding in the flour mixture. If you over-mix your angel food cake batter your cupcakes will turn out flat. You want to mix everything just until mixed, over mixing will cause you to have rough and tough cupcakes. We all know that the best cupcake are light and fluffy.

Fill the cupcake liners appropriately. You do not want to over fill the cupcake liners. Follow the directions for the specific cupcake recipe, if the recipe doesn’t tell you how full stick to the 2/3 full rule. Which is roughly 3 tablespoons of cupcake batter per cupcake liner.

Use the best kitchen tool for filling liners. If you are working with a thick cupcake batter then you want to use a spoon or a cookie scoop to fill the cupcake liners. If it is a thin cupcake batter then use a bowl with a spout or a glass measuring cup to pour in the batter.

Use quality cupcake liners. While you might not think it matters a cupcake liner but having a quality cupcake liner will make it so your cupcakes don’t stick to the wrapper and peel off nicely so you can see the perfect cupcake in it.

Bake one tray at a time. Using the center of the oven rack and bake one tray of cupcakes at a time. This will give you the best cupcake results.

Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting. If you frost cupcakes while they are still warm then the frosting will melt.

Can I make these cupcakes without Buttermilk?

Buttermilk is an important ingredient in red velvet cupcakes. If you do not have buttermilk add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to a cup of milk and let stand for 10 minutes before using.

How to tell when cupcakes are done baking

I like to use the toothpick test when I am making cupcakes with the kids because it is easier for them to see and learn. But if you have been making cupcakes for a while you may not want to use that method.

If you are wanting an even easier method, the cupcake bounce done method as we call it is even easier. Pull the tray of cupcakes out from the oven and lightly press on a cupcake in the middle of the baking pan. If it bounces right back and no finger print is left behind then your cupcakes are done. If there is a finger print you need to bake them for a few more minutes.

How to Store Cupcakes

It is best to store cupcakes in an airtight container on the counter. Cupcakes are best to be enjoyed with in 48 hours of making them. They won’t be bad to eat after 40 hours but they will start to dry out and not be as fresh.

After frosting cupcakes you are ok to store them on the counter for a day or 2 but after that they should be stored in the fridge.

If you are storing them unfrosted you can store them in an airtight container or a plastic bag. If you are storing them with frosting on top I suggest using a cupcake storage container.

How to Freeze Homemade Cupcakes

You will want to freeze them without any frosting on them. Wrap them individually with plastic wrap and freeze on a baking sheet. Then once they are solid store in a zip close freezer bag. They will keep for up to 2 months when frozen.

To thaw, simply remove them from the freezer and defrost. Then frost as normal.

Red Velvet Cupcakes Ingredients

All-purpose flour
white sugar
baking soda
salt
cocoa powder
vegetable oil
applesauce
buttermilk
eggs
red food coloring
white vinegar
vanilla extract

How to Make Red Velvet Cupcakes

Preheat the oven to 350-degrees and grease the muffin pan or use liners.

Sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder into a medium bowl and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, food coloring vinegar, and vanilla.

Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.

Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pans. Do not fill the cups more than 2/3’s full.

Bake for 19-21 minutes until a tester comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes before turning out onto a rack to cool completely.

If you are going to frost the cupcakes right away allow them to cool completely before frosting.

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