Skip to main content

Terri Wahl’s Red Velvet Cupcakes

Recipe information

  • Yield

    12 jumbo cupcakes

Ingredients

Cupcakes

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoons fine salt
1 1/4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons red food coloring
1 1/4 teaspoons distilled white or apple cider vinegar
1 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1 pound confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    To make the cupcakes, preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 12 jumbo muffin cups with paper liners.

    Step 2

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

    Step 3

    In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the sugar, oil, and buttermilk on medium speed until combined. Add the eggs, food coloring, vinegar, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons water, and mix well. Turn the mixer to low and add the dry ingredients a little bit at a time, scraping down the sides occasionally, beating until combined. Be sure not to overmix, or the cupcakes will be tough.

    Step 4

    Fill the muffin cups about three-quarters full with batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Set aside to cool.

    Step 5

    To make the frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese together in an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, scraping the bowl down as needed. Beat in the vanilla. If too soft, chill briefly. Divide the frosting among the cupcakes; then smooth with a small offset spatula.

Bobby Flay's Throwdown!
Read More
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Like crispy gnocchi caprese and raspberry—brown butter skillet cake.
A flurry of fresh tarragon makes this speedy weeknight dish of seared cod and luscious, sun-colored pan sauce feel restaurant worthy.
The secret to flavorful, never-greasy eggplant parm? Brine the eggplant first.
Like hot honey chicken with peaches and a dirty martini spritz.
No grill needed for this just-charred-enough sweet and spicy chicken.
Fontina and fried shallots make this diner-style omelet perfectly acceptable dinner fare.