Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
These gorgeous mini red velvet cakes are perfect for a special occasion like Valentine's Day. With a super soft velvety texture, a hint of chocolate and a subtle from buttermilk, this super moist mini red velvet cakes with cream cheese frosting is an ideal choice for that special touch at a festive occasion.
Servings: 36 mini cakes
Calories: 207kcal
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups cake flour 295 grams
- 2 Tablespoons natural unsweetened cocoa powder 14 grams
- 1 teaspoon baking soda 6 grams
- 1 teaspoon baking powder 6 grams
- 1 teaspoon salt 6 grams
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 ¾ cups granulated white sugar 350 grams
- 2 large eggs room temperature, separated
- 1 cup buttermilk room temperature
- ½ cup hot coffee
- 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 Tablespoons liquid food coloring as needed
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened, at room temperature
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened, at room temperature
- 2 cups confectioners sugar (one 16 ounce box)
- 2 Tablespoons sour cream
Sprinkles
- 2 ounces mini heart confetti sprinkles - shades of pink
- 2 ounces mini heart confetti sprinkles - red
Instructions
- Preheat and prep. Preheat your oven to 350°F. For my heart shaped cupcakes, I am used a silicone mold which I did not grease because it was new. Note that silicone molds become less non-stick over time, so you might need to grease them lightly with a non-stick pan. If making regular cupcakes with a cupcake liner, place the liners in the muffin tin.
- Whisk dry ingredients. Whisk together your dry ingredients - flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Mix wet ingredients. Add the oil, sugar, and eggs to the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix for 1-2 minutes on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add buttermilk, vanilla, vinegar, coffee, and red food color one at a time on low speed until fully incorporated. You can also use an electric mixer.
- Combine and bake. Fold in the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix to ensure that the cakes are as tender as possible. Pour the batter into the muffin tins, filling about ¾ of the way. Bake for 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool the cakes on a wire rack.
- Make the frosting. While the cakes cool, prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting. Mix cream cheese, butter, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar in batches, beating with the paddle attachment (not whisk!) between each batch. The cream cheese frosting when all the powdered sugar is evenly incorporated and the frosting is stiff and holds its shape. Do not overmix as the batter will liquefy.
- Decorate the mini red velvet cakes. Once the mini red velvet cakes are cool, frost with the cream cheese frosting and sprinkles. Lightly smear the sides of the mini cakes with the cream cheese frosting then press into a plate of mini heart shaped sprinkles in various shades of pink to cover the size. Outline the heart of the top of the cake with cream cheese. To pipe the frosting, place some cream cheese into a piping bag and use an open star tip to outline the heart. Feel free to get creative and decorate as you will with your favorite toppings.
Video
Notes
- Opt for natural cocoa powder. Achieve the proper rise and a vibrant red color by using natural cocoa powder. Hershey's natural unsweetened cocoa powder is recommended for this recipe, while Hershey's Special Dark 100% Cacao is not suitable.
- Prepare the cupcakes the day before. The cupcakes reach peak flavor and moisture the next day, providing a more delectable taste experience.
- Avoid overmixing. Gently mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined. Avoid overmixing to preserve the perfect crumb texture of the cupcakes.
- All ingredients should be at room temperature. Cold ingredients can lead to a grainy batter, altering both the crumb structure and moistness of the baked cake. Allow all ingredients to reach room temperature for optimal results.