#Holiday Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
## Introduction
Festive lights, holiday cheer, and the tantalizing aroma of baking cupcakes – the holiday season is here! And what’s a holiday without a scrumptious dessert? On our baking list today are the irresistible, crowd-pleasing, Holiday Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting.
## Why Make This Recipe?
These cupcakes are not just vibrant and appealing; they’re sweet, moist, soft, and topped with a creamy, velvety cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth. Moreover, this recipe is easy and straightforward, making it perfect for baking enthusiasts at all levels.
## How to Make Holiday Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
### Ingredients:
#### For the Cupcakes:
– 1½ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 tbsp cocoa powder
– ½ tsp baking soda
– ½ tsp salt
– 1 cup buttermilk
– ½ cup vegetable oil
– 2 large eggs
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 1 tsp red food coloring
– 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
#### For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
– 8 oz cream cheese, softened
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 2 cups powdered sugar
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
### Directions :
Getting these cupcakes ready is as easy as it gets. The steps include preparing the batter, baking, and finally frosting the cupcakes. Here’s the step by step procedure:
1. Preheat Oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, combine buttermilk, oil, eggs, vanilla, red food coloring, and vinegar. Gradually blend the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until smooth.
3. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let them cool completely.
4. In a mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, continuing to beat until fluffy.
5. Once cupcakes are cool, frost each cupcake with the cream cheese frosting.
## How to Serve Holiday Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
These cupcakes can be elegantly served on a cake stand, garnished with festive sprinkles or red velvet crumbs. You can also decorate them with cute holiday-themed toppers for that added festive cheer. And of course, they pair perfectly with a cup of hot chocolate!
## How to Store Holiday Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
If you have any leftovers, store the frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerate for up to one week.
## Tips to Make Holiday Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
– When measuring your flour, avoid scooping it out directly from the container. Instead, stir the flour around, spoon it into your measuring cup, and level it off with the back of a knife for accurate measurements.
– For a smooth batter without lumps, sieve the dry ingredients together.
– Always cool the cupcakes completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
## Variation
For a gluten-free version, replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking mix.
## FAQs
– **Can I make these cupcakes dairy-free?**
Yes, you could use non-dairy milk and vegan cream cheese for the frosting.
– **Can I convert this recipe into a cake?**
Absolutely! This recipe can make one 9-inch red velvet cake. Increase the baking time to about 30-35 minutes.
– **Do I need to refrigerate these cupcakes?**
While these cupcakes can be stored at room temperature for a couple of days, refrigeration keeps them fresh longer, especially in a warm climate.
So, there you go! An easy and toothsome Holiday Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe ready to wow your holiday crowd. Bake, serve, and let the holiday festivities begin!