Description
These Blue Velvet Cupcakes are a vibrant twist on the classic red velvet, featuring a rich blue hue created with gel food coloring. Moist and tender cupcakes are topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting, making them perfect for festive occasions or any time you want a unique, colorful dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcakes
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 tablespoon royal blue gel food coloring
- 1/8 teaspoon violet gel food coloring (optional, for richer color)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners to ensure even baking and easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute these ingredients.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, stir buttermilk, white vinegar, vanilla extract, royal blue gel food coloring, and optional violet gel food coloring until well mixed to create your colorful buttermilk mixture.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Egg: Beat in the large egg until fully incorporated, ensuring a smooth batter.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk mixture to the creamed mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing each addition just until combined to keep the batter tender.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Add Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Frost Cupcakes: Pipe or spread the cream cheese frosting onto the cooled cupcakes as desired.
Notes
- For a deeper blue color, increase the amount of royal blue gel food coloring to your preference.
- Decorate cupcakes with white sprinkles, silver pearls, or fresh berries for an extra festive touch.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
