The Best Fluffy Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
When it comes to timeless, crowd-pleasing desserts, nothing stands out quite like Classic Red Velvet Cupcakes with Creamy Vanilla Frosting. Soft, moist, vibrant, and delicately flavored, red velvet cupcakes have a unique charm that blends gentle cocoa notes, buttery richness, and that signature velvety crumb everyone loves. Topped with a swirl of smooth, creamy vanilla frosting, these cupcakes are everything a perfect dessert should be—simple, elegant, and irresistibly delicious.
Red velvet is more than just a color. It’s a flavor profile that balances mild chocolate with tangy buttermilk and a whisper of vanilla. This combination creates a soft, plush cupcake with a tender texture that almost melts in your mouth. Historically, red velvet became popular due to a chemical reaction between cocoa powder and acidic ingredients, which enhanced its reddish hue. Today, a touch of red food coloring helps create its iconic, glamorous appearance.
These cupcakes are ideal for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas, weddings, baby showers, or simply anytime you want a classic, impressive treat—without complicated techniques. They look elegant, taste luxurious, and require only basic ingredients and simple steps.
What Makes These Red Velvet Cupcakes Stand Out?
✨ Perfectly Soft and Velvety Texture
These cupcakes rise beautifully and stay incredibly soft thanks to buttermilk and oil in the batter.
✨ Balanced Flavor
Not too chocolatey, not too sweet—just that signature red velvet taste.
✨ Creamy, Dreamy Vanilla Frosting
While many pair red velvet with cream cheese frosting, this classic version uses silky vanilla frosting that complements the cupcakes perfectly.
✨ Vibrant Red Color
The rich red color adds a stunning pop to any dessert table.
✨ Easy and Foolproof
This recipe doesn’t require special equipment—just a bowl, whisk, and cupcake pan.
✨ Great for Decorating
Sprinkles, red crumbs, chocolate shavings, or edible glitter—everything looks beautiful on red velvet.
Ingredients
For the Red Velvet Cupcakes
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp red food coloring (liquid or gel)
- 1 tsp white vinegar
For the Creamy Vanilla Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2–4 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional Toppings
- Red velvet crumbs
- Sprinkles
- White chocolate curls
- Edible glitter
Instructions
1. Prep the oven and pan
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Mix dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
3. Mix wet ingredients
In another bowl, whisk egg, oil, buttermilk, vanilla, food coloring, and vinegar until smooth.
4. Combine mixtures
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the cupcakes fluffy.
5. Fill cupcake liners
Scoop batter into liners, filling each â…” full.
6. Bake
Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
7. Make the creamy vanilla frosting
Beat butter on high until creamy and pale. Add powdered sugar gradually. Mix in vanilla, salt, and cream until fluffy.
8. Frost the cupcakes
Pipe tall swirls of frosting using a star tip. Sprinkle with red crumbs or decorations of choice.
Classic Red Velvet Cupcakes with Creamy Vanilla Frosting
Soft, velvety red cupcakes topped with fluffy and luxurious vanilla frosting for a timeless dessert.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Whisk flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt together.
- Whisk egg, oil, buttermilk, vanilla, food coloring, and vinegar together.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
- Fill liners 2/3 full and bake 18–20 minutes.
- Beat butter, then add powdered sugar, vanilla, cream, and salt until smooth and fluffy.
- Pipe vanilla frosting onto cooled cupcakes and decorate with red crumbs or sprinkles.
Notes
For deeper color, use gel food coloring. Do not overmix batter.
Tips for Perfect Red Velvet Cupcakes
Use buttermilk:
It’s key to achieving that soft, tangy crumb.
Don’t skip vinegar:
It enhances the texture and deepens the red color.
Use gel coloring for deeper red:
Liquid works, but gel produces a richer shade.
Don’t overmix:
This keeps the cupcakes light and velvety.
Allow cupcakes to cool fully before frosting:
Warm cupcakes will melt the frosting.
Flavor Variations
Chocolate Velvet:
Add 1 extra tablespoon of cocoa powder.
Pink Velvet:
Use pink food coloring instead of red for Valentine’s or baby showers.
Vanilla Bean Frosting:
Add real vanilla bean seeds to the frosting.
Cream Cheese Twist:
Replace half the butter with cream cheese.
What to Serve With Red Velvet Cupcakes
- Fresh strawberries
- Coffee or espresso drinks
- Vanilla ice cream
- Hot cocoa beverages
- Whipped cream lattes
These cupcakes pair wonderfully with warm, cozy drinks or a chilled glass of milk.
How to Store Them
Room Temperature:
Up to 2 days in an airtight container.
Refrigerator:
Up to 5 days.
Freezer:
Freeze unfrosted cupcakes up to 2 months.
Why We Love This Recipe
Classic Red Velvet Cupcakes have a nostalgic charm that never goes out of style. They’re elegant yet simple, striking in color yet subtle in flavor. Whether you’re making them for a celebration or simply to enjoy a moment of sweetness, they bring joy to every table. Their beautiful appearance, irresistible texture, and delicious frosting make them a guaranteed show-stopper.
