My Favorite Red Velvet Cupcakes
God sure does have a clever sense of humor, wouldn’t you say!?
Yes.
Here’s how I know: I’m dating a faaaaantastic man who… doesn’t know the difference between a pie and a cake… a muffin and a cupcake.
Funny, right? This has to be a joke… right?
Nope.
Ok. To be fair. It’s not that he doesn’t know the difference… it’s just that he mixes them all up all the time. Maybe it makes me a little crazy. Maybe it goes a little something like this:
Me: Simon, what do you want for your birthday?
Simon: A giant pie!
Me: A pie? You mean you don’t want a big ol’ chocolate cake?
Simon: Oh! Wait! No…. I want a cake. Wait… cakes are the big, multi-layered things with all the frosting. Yes. I want that.
Me: Cake. Not pie. Cake. Ok.
OR!
Me: Hey Simon! What do you want for breakfast?
Simon: Cupcakes!
Me: You mean muffins, right?
Simon: Ooh yea. Muffins. Yeaaaaah. They have the same shape! It’s confusing.
Me: I know.
Ok… maybe these two conversations are a bit of an exaggeration. But seriously friends… they’re not that much of an exaggeration. This happens to me, and I don’t see an end in sight. Very funny God. Luckily I have a very keen sense of humor too. Ha.
Perhaps making up for his mix-ups, Simon is one hell of a cupcake decorator. Seriously.
Now, I’d like to introduce you to my absolute favorite Red Velvet Cupcake recipe with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting. Wait… muffins. No, cupcakes. No… definitely cupcakes. I know this.
Believe it or not, I haven’t always been the biggest fan of Red Velvet Cupcakes. I thought they always tasted, well… red.
This Red Velvet Cupcake recipe comes from The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook. All of the cupcakes I’ve tried from this book so far have been a tremendous success. What makes this recipe so lovely, is the hearty but not overpowering amount of cocoa powder. It’s just enough to tint the cupcake a sultry brownish-red and to tone down the red flavor that always turns me off. Buttermilk works to make the cupcakes just the right softness and combined with Cinnamon Cream Cheese frosting… shut up… so good!
This recipe makes one dozen cupcakes. Double the recipe and you’ll have either two dozen cupcakes, or enough batter to make 2 9-inch layer cakes. Brilliant!
My Favorite Red Velvet Cupcakes
recipe from Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook
makes one dozen cupcakes, double recipe to make 2 9-inch layer cakes
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 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
Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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 salt 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 at 325 F 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
double recipe to frost a 2 layer 9-inch cake
2 1/3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
3 Tablespoons butter, room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, cold (I used room temperature)
scant 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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.
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.
211 Comments Add A Comment
Generally speaking, I’m not a fan of red velvet cake or cupcakes (no wait, muffins!), which always depresses my husband and those Southerners in our respective families. Still, in the interest of being all familial-like, and because you said these were good, I think I’ll try these for the hubby’s birthday this year. I trust you!
Oh, and BTW? The boy is cute – and how fabulous is it that he’s handy with a pastry bag?!? You lucky girl you. ;)
Yes! If anything you must try this recipe to be all familial-like!
I’ve been visiting this site for a quite a while but haven’t posted yet and decided that red velvet cupcakes (my favorite!) warranted a first post. Especially with the cream cheese frosting, probably would be good on carrot cake too maybe. Hehe Simon seems like a sweetheart and even though he doesn’t know the difference between a cupcake and a muffin (honestly sometimes I can’t tell the difference.. haha) you guys make a good pair. You bake the treats and he frosts them!
You’re totally right! The Cinnamon Cream Cheese frosting would be amazing on Carrot Cake!
My stomach is growling and my mouth is watering! I absolutely must make these soon. The thought of cinnamon cream cheese frosting has sent me totally over the edge!!
Yum! These look so fantastic! My husband is a chef and speaks cookies, cakes and pies fluently but he gets dresses and skirts mixed up. Seriously. If I’m wearing a skirt he’ll say ‘nice dress’.
I still mix up dresses and skirts too. I must confess. Plus, what’s a boy to do when a kilt is in the mix?
Holy cow…a kilt wearer…I approve!
we all understand… this is totally a safe place.
ladieswear is a confusing land!
Really wish – really – that I had not seen this with all that cake in the fridge (I like mine super cold, but not frozen)…. ummmm, delish!
yay! I’d say you might have a keeper there – works wonders with that pastry bag! I can’t wait to try out this recipe too! Everything I’ve made from your blog thus far has been absolutely delicious!
Success!
haha, sounds like my boyfriend sean…but more like, “you know those delicious, fruit and chocolate and sugar and butter and goodness? those, yeah…”
and the cupcakes, expertly frosted ;)
delish and soo cute–very impressed with simon’s piping skills too-geez, some people are naturals@ this stuff! fantastic cupcakes thanks for sharing
From this picture, Simon looks a little bit like Nick Cage. I’ll give these cupcakes a try.
Nick Cage in Face Off or Nick Cage in Leaving Las Vegas?
Awkward…..
At first, I didn’t want this to be true. But after looking at some photos of him, I have to agree–indeed, we have similar eyebrows & foreheads. You got me. I’ll take it as a compliment.
I’m up for cupcakes for breakfast. Yum! Thanks for sharing the recipe. I’ve never had red velvet cupcakes before and they sound yummy with your frosting. :)
Oh too funny about the man!! ;)
But these cupcakes are fabulous!!!!! Perfect frosting too!
OMG, they look great, I’ll probably bake them tomorrow…:)
thanks
xo
Dooooo it!
Ah, I’m so happy you’ve found a nice guy to date! Seriously, I awed outloud when I read that. Good for you!
And the cupcakes… oh my how I love red velvet cake. My mom recently made them in cake form, and they were just gorgeous. Maybe some day I will try you recipe and take them to my mom. :)
He is a keeper. What a great fish decorator. Oh, I mean cupcake.
These look great. I’ve never made RV before…too scarred by Red Dye myths I think, but I’ll try these! – mary
I can’t help but go “aaawwwww.” The thought of you two in the kitchen frosting cupcakes together is just the sweetest thing.
YUMMY!!!
I love Red Velvet anything! But I especially like the idea of the cocoa powder to hide the red food coloring taste it can develope. I’m anxious to try these!
I can’t wait to try these!!
making them tonighttttt for sure!:)thanks Joy and the creamsicle pie during the weekend.
I can’t wait!
You’ve got one sweet week ahead of you!
I was there…and they were soooo delicious. I do love red velvet anything, especially the cupcakes. Thanks, Joy, for making them. :-)
My husband has the same issue. Cake and pie, chicken and turkey…he doesn’t really see what the big deal is. We’ve made it work, none the less. :-)
Love the cupcakes! (Frosted muffins?)
Ha! It’s great to hear that other couples have this problem! And yes… cupcakes are totally frosted muffins.
So funny about his lack of baking knowledge! That reminds me of my son, who told me one day that he had a doughnut for breakfast, but that he didn’t want the one with raisins. It took me awhile, raisins and doughnuts? Um yeah. He had eaten a bagel. Hopefully he gets things straightened out one of these days!
Two things:
1. Awwwwwwwwwww
2. Simon looks like a cutie. At least the back of his head does!
These would be my favorite too! Yum!
Oh dang another cupcake recipe! I think I will be making this before I try the orange and cream pie. The frosting sounds so good.
These were the Red Velvet Cupcakes from the picnic! I hope you love em the second time around!
Oh I will – actually everyone here is asking for me to make them for the upcoming BBQ – hopefully I can make them as excellent as you did! :)
My mouth is watering, looks delicious!
Simon is adorable, and so are your cupcakes…In fact, I want cupcakes for breakfast tomorrow, and I want the husband to frost them (sooo not happening though…) :(
Great photos.
He is cute! Lucky girl!
I will definitely be trying this recipe. I’ve never had homemade red velvet, and I hated the box mix. I’m assuming homemade has to be better.
Fantastic pair! Does he do the dished too?? Oooh that would be marriage material for sure!! lol-
Seriously now, these are the best dang cupcakes ever- and I am SO GLAD you posted these in the beginning of Autumn rather then February.. Valentines day..to cliché- besides..it looks like your Valentine came 6 months early!
p.s Simon- Great sideburns!
why thank you!
Oh yay, nice timing Joy! I’ve got the Hummingbird Bakery book too and have been trying to convince my Mum to let me make these but she just keeps screwing her nose up: “vinegar in cupcakes? no thankyou.” Now I can go right up to her and say “but Joy says they’re awesome so there.” Thanks for winning my argument for me!
Thanks for the kind words y’all. More importantly, thanks for being so understanding with the mixed-up-nouns situation. It’s comforting to know that there are other boyfriends and husbands in the same boat (or is it a actually a yacht?).
For the record, I still have much to learn when it comes to pastry bags and sprinkles. This time around I learned, “Squeeze it much harder than you’d think, and don’t stop moving once you’ve started.”
Oh, and he’s trainable! We like that in a guy (heck, we like that in girls too, but they’re more stubborn)! ;)
Well… I think he is not the only one. I’m spanish and here the “sweet culture” is different so we even don’t have words to pie-cake-bread, for us everything is a “tarta” or muffin-cupcake, for us everything is a “magdalena”. It’s a little confusing. ;-)
Cheers from Spain.
I have already printed both your other red velvet recipes cause I am baking them tonight and now I have another one to add to my indecisivenss!!! Thanks – I love the icing!
Oh wow, this post was sooo cute! I’m so happy for you Joy! :) Plus I just got the Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook for my birthday and I’m dying to try it out!! :) I’m a bit distracted at the moment though, I’m packing up all my stuff and moving to a town 100miles away to go back to college and do a Masters… exciting yet scary times… :) I think I’ll temporarily unpack my baking equipment tonight and give the book its debut! :)
Awww…!! Does Simon have a brother by any chance? Preferebaly one who’s as cute and as interested in the cupcakes? If so send him this direction Joy !! ;)
Thanks for the recipe, maybe I’ll give them a try. Here in Aus, RV cupcakes just don’t seem to be the thing. Perhaps with posts like this things will change. Ta!
Oh, just transcribing your recipe – how much bicarb soda? Is this instead of the salt cause I can’t see where to mix it in… Thanks
oooh geez! Thanks Naomi! I went and forgot to add the baking soda to the list of ingredients. All fixed now!
These cupcakes look absolutely delicious, I cannot wait to try the recipe out and taste them for myself…
I am drooling!!! :-)
My eye just fell on Simon’s replies and I had to laugh at the ‘Simon says’. Is there a hole where I can hide in shame? Ah well.
Mmm cannot wait to try this recipe :) And I didn’t have a chance to say it yet but I love the new layout!
It could be worse, he could say “that (from scratch) chocolate cake tastes almost as good as a mix”. That really drives me nuts.
I am new to your site and love it.
Thank you,
anita New Brunswick, Canada
But, I’ve always wanted to know… why the food coloring? If no one (including me) likes the taste it gives and we need the cocoa powder to disguise it, then why,oh why do we want our food red and probably cancer causing?! The color turns me off. I just want to lick off the cream cheese frosting and toss the red stuff. Now, putting that cinnamon cream cheese frosting on hummingbird cake/cupcakes… that sounds good. (Does your hummingbird cookbook have a good recipe for those?)
the hummingbird cookbook has a recipe for hummingbird cake which looks awesome, but its definitely not an everyday cake, so much oil! i really want to make it in cupcake form one day though…
First let me say this in Simon’s defense – cupcakes or muffins, either are just fine for breakfast!
Second, my husband will have a new love and appreciation for you with this recipe! (and FYI, there’s no way my husband’s decorating skills would be that awesome – nice job Simon)
Yeah for boys who will help out in baking-land! I can’t wait to try these!
oh lordy these are lovely looking. my ex bf’s grandma used to make me a red velvet cake every year for my birthday. that was the hardest part about dumping him :)
The cupcakes sure look delicious!! A great job on the frosting, btw! You’ve really scored with this guy! Luckily my boyfriend is a foodie, who I’ve now ‘trained’ to recognise all the different types, and he has actually learnt a lot of baking terms too!! :O
P.S – I agree with the poster above! I was so LOLing at the Simon Says!
Hi! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now, but haven’t posted yet, so can I just say I LOVE YOU AND YOUR BAKING!!
I started using the Hummingbird Bakery book after a friend recommended their bakery to me, just about the time you posted about their cupcakes the first time – sorry, I’ll get to my point – I made 24 cupcakes using the vanilla and chocolate recipes and marbling them by placing a dollop of chocolate batter on top of the vanilla batter and they turned out to be the softest cupcakes we’ve ever eaten!!
Anyways…sorry for my rambling…love your stuff!!
but doesn’t that make him more endearing?
Ah a man weilding a pastry bag- now that is swoon worthy! I love the idea of a cinnamon frosting. That sounds delicious and perfect for so many different things.
Red velvet was always one of my favorite birthday cakes growing up. Still searching around for the perfect recipe. This one sounds great, will definitely do it!