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Home » Recipes » Breakfast

Red Velvet Muffins

Published: Jun 18, 2023 · Modified: Jul 11, 2023 by Katalin Nagy · This post may contain affiliate links. This blog generates income via ads. Please read our Disclosures.

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These heavenly Red Velvet Muffins topped with a light and creamy cream cheese frosting are incredibly moist, super fluffy, and simply scrumptious! With all the same rich flavor of a red velvet cake and a dash of magic with my secret baking tricks, this recipe is the ultimate handheld version of the beloved classic! 

Red Velvet Muffins in a baking tin.
Jump to:
  • 🌟 Why this is the best Red velvet muffin recipe
  • 📝 Ingredient notes
  • 👩‍🍳 How to make this recipe
  • ✨ Flavor variations and substitutions
  • 🎓 Expert tips
  • 🥣 Equipment notes
  • ❓Recipe FAQs
  • 🧁 More Muffin and Breakfast Recipes
  • Red Velvet Muffins

🌟 Why this is the best Red velvet muffin recipe

  1. Red velvet deliciousness: What is red velvet flavor? Absolutely divine cocoa flavor with a stunning red hue! These muffins are a true tribute to the classic cake with the same distinct subtle blend of cocoa flavor and a hint of tang! 
  2. Irresistible texture: My vinegar and baking soda trick adds an incredible amount of both lightness and moisture to the muffin batter. This ingenious baking hack creates a chemical reaction that helps the muffins rise beautifully while keeping them moist and fluffy. 
  3. Perfect for novice bakers: Move over red velvet muffin mix! This easy recipe proves how easy it is to bake from scratch. You don’t need any fancy ingredients, special equipment, or baking knowledge for this recipe.
  4. Stunning presentation: The vibrant red muffins combined with the creamy white frosting makes them so pretty! Whether you're serving them for a special occasion or treating your family, these muffins are yummy and visually impressive too!
Red Velvet Muffins on a plate.

📝 Ingredient notes

For the red velvet muffins

Red Velvet Muffins ingredients.
  1. Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the muffins and makes the crumb tender. My sugar guide explains more about granulated sugar.
  2. Unsalted Butter: Always use unsalted butter in baking to control the amount of added salt. The butter must be at room temperature. You can even use homemade butter! 
  3. Eggs: They provide structure and bind the batter. The eggs should be at room temperature. 
  4. Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor. Always use pure vanilla extract or a substitute for vanilla extract over imitation stuff. 
  5. All Purpose Flour: Simple all-purpose flour is all you need for the base of the batter. In fact, it’s all you need to make most red velvet cupcakes or red velvet muffin recipes!
  6. Cocoa Powder: Adds a touch of chocolate and deepens the color. Use high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for the most intense flavor.
  7. Baking Powder: Used as a leavening agent. Yet, in a pinch a baking powder substitute will do the trick!
  8. Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the red velvet flavor. 
  9. Whole Milk: Room temperature whole milk is needed to provide moisture. 
  10. Red Food Coloring: Use high-quality food coloring, such as Americolor gel food coloring, to give the muffins their signature red hue. Red is one of the hardest colors to create. Cheap food coloring won’t work. 
  11. Baking Soda: It’s a very useful chemical leavener. But when baking soda is mixed with vinegar it creates a chemical reaction that causes muffins to rise even more.
  12. White Vinegar: A key ingredient that you can’t taste! Its acidity activates the baking soda, causing carbon dioxide to form producing a very powerful leavening agent.

For the Cream cheese frosting

Cream cheese frosting ingredients.
  1. Cream Cheese: Choose full-fat cream cheese with a minimum fat content of 33% for fluffy and light frosting.  
  2. Mascarpone: Adds even more richness. But it must be very cold! Use the full-fat variety with at least 41% fat content. If needed, use a mascarpone cheese substitute.
  3. Powdered Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness! Make sure to sift your powdered sugar for a smooth texture. 

🛒 You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the Recipe Card at the bottom of this post

👩‍🍳 How to make this recipe

1. How to make red velvet muffins

  1. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with muffin liners and preheat the oven to 175°C / 347°F (no fan).
  2. In a large bowl, use an electric hand mixer to whip the room-temperature butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Then slowly whip in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
  3. Whisk together the red food coloring and room-temperature milk. Now, slowly pour it into the batter as you continue to whip.
  4. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt over the batter. Then use a rubber spatula to fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, being careful not to overmix.
  5. Mix the white vinegar and baking soda together in a small bowl. Then immediately fold the bubbly mixture into the batter just until combined. 

💡 Top Tip: Don’t mix the baking soda and vinegar ahead of time. If it sits for too long, the chemical reaction that produces the bubbly carbon dioxide gas will start to diminish and the muffins will not rise as well.

Red Velvet Muffins baking process.

2. How to bake

  1. Use a piping bag or spoon to fill each muffin cavity about ¾ full with batter, making sure to distribute it evenly among the muffin cups. 
  2. Bake the muffins for about 20 to 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  3. Let the muffins cool completely to room temperature before frosting.

💡 Top Tip:  Avoid opening the oven door during baking. It can impact the rise of your muffins or even cause them to sink in the middle.

Red Velvet Muffins in a baking tin.

3. Make the cream cheese frosting

For more information visit my cream cheese frosting recipe.

  1. Whip all the frosting ingredients together with an electric hand mixer for a couple of minutes, just until light and fluffy. 
  2. Pipe or spoon the frosting on top of the muffins. 
  3. Enjoy immediately or store your muffins properly in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

💡 Top Tip:  Don't whip the cream cheese mixture for more than 2 to 3 minutes or the frosting will break and become runny!

Cream cheese frosting process.

✨ Flavor variations and substitutions

This is the best red velvet muffin recipe and sheer perfection as it is! Yet, you can easily incorporate other flavors or use these substitutions to suit your dietary needs. 

  1. Chocolate: Create red velvet chocolate chip muffins by mixing some chocolate chips into the batter. White chocolate and ruby chocolate are other options.
  2. Fruity: Make them fruity by mixing berries into the batter and then decorate them with strawberry shortcake crumble. Or, stir in some banana for red velvet banana muffins.
  3. Fillings: Make red velvet muffins with cream cheese filling, gooey caramel, or whipped chocolate ganache in the same way that you fill cupcakes. 
  4. Frosting: Use my Nutella frosting to make extra chocolatey red velvet chocolate muffins or German buttercream for a refined custard finish.
  5. Gluten-free: Try this recipe with other types of flour to make gluten-free red velvet muffins.
  6. Vegan: Make the muffins with a butter substitute, egg substitute, and plant-based milk. Then omit the frosting and you’ve got yourself vegan red velvet muffins!

To learn even more about the science behind baking, check out my baking guides!

🎓 Expert tips

  1. For proper emulsification, your milk, eggs, and butter must be at room temperature. You can use one of my tricks to soften butter quickly.
  2. Do not omit the vinegar. For the most light and airy muffins, you must mix the baking soda and white vinegar separately and then immediately add the mixture to the batter.
  3. It’s important to use high-fat cream cheese and mascarpone. The low-fat versions contain too much water.
  4. Use high-quality gel food coloring for the most vibrant red. Cheap liquid food coloring will not work.
  5. You must let the muffins completely cool to room temperature before decorating them. Warm muffins will just melt the frosting.
Red Velvet Muffins on a plate.

🥣 Equipment notes

This easy recipe showing you how to make red velvet muffins is a cinch! Yet, it’s important to use the right tools for the best taste and texture! 

A digital scale is a must-have for precise measurements. And a digital oven thermometer is a handy device that allows you to keep an eye on the temperature of your oven. 

To make the batter, an electric hand mixer is ideal for perfectly creaming the butter and sugar. A rubber spatula should be your go-to tool to gently fold the wet and dry ingredients together. It’s imperative not to overmix your batter!

For baking, you'll need a 12-cup muffin pan. I also find that a cooling rack can be helpful.

❓Recipe FAQs

Why is it called red velvet?

The term "red velvet" originated in the early 20th century to refer to the rich velvety texture and vibrant red color.

Can I make mini red velvet muffins?

Yes! You’ll just need to adjust the baking time accordingly as mini muffins bake faster.

How to store red velvet muffins?

Place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

Can I freeze red velvet muffins?

Yes! You can freeze unfrosted muffins for up to 2 months. Yet, to freeze frosted muffins, you’ll need to follow my instructions on how to store cupcakes with frosting.

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Have you tried this recipe?

Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on the recipe card and consider leaving a comment as well! I would love to hear about how your dessert turned out and your feedback also helps other Readers!

Red Velvet Muffins on a plate.

Red Velvet Muffins

These Red Velvet Muffins topped with cream cheese frosting are incredibly moist, super fluffy, and simply scrumptious! With all the rich red velvet flavor, this recipe is the ultimate handheld version of the beloved classic! 
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 8 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 339kcal
Author: Katalin Nagy

Equipment

  • Digital scale
  • Rubber spatula
  • Electric hand mixer
  • Digital oven thermometer
  • 12 cup muffin pan

Ingredients

For the red velvet muffins

  • 240 g (1¼ cups) Granulated sugar
  • 180 g (¾ cups) Unsalted butter room temperature
  • 2 Eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 240 g (2 cups) All purpose flour
  • 16 g (⅕ cups) Cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon Baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • 240 g (1 cups) Whole milk room temperature
  • Red food coloring preferably gel, eg. Americolor
  • 1 teaspoon Baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon White vinegar

For the cream cheese frosting

  • 113 g (½ cups) Cream cheese full fat (33%+) eg. Philadelphia
  • 55 g (¼ cups) Mascarpone very cold! 36% heavy cream
  • 30 g (¼ cups) Powdered sugar sifted

US customary cup measurement is an indicative figure only. Measure the ingredients with a digital scale by weight (gram). Baking is art but also science which requires precision and accuracy.

Instructions

Make the red velvet muffins

  • Prepare your muffin tin with muffin liners and preheat the oven to 175°C / 347°F (no fan).
  • In a large bowl, cream the room temperature butter and sugar with an Electric hand mixer for a few minutes until it's light and fluffy. Then slowly whip in the eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla extract.
  • Mix the red food coloring into the room temperature milk. Then slowly pour it into the batter while continuing to whip it.
  • Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into the batter. Then use a rubber spatula to fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Do not overmix the batter.
  • In a small bowl, mix the vinegar together with the baking soda. It will be super bubbly. Then immediately fold the vinegar mixture into the muffin batter just until combined.
  • Fill the muffin cavities about ¾ full with batter using a piping bag or spoon. Distribute the batter for evenly among the cavities.
  • Bake the muffins for about 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Do not overbake the muffins as they can dry out.
  • Let the muffins come to room temperature before frosting.

Prepare the cream cheese frosting

  • Whip all the ingredients together with an electric hand mixer for a few minutes until light and fluffy. Do not over beat or it can become runny.
  • Spoon or pipe frosting on top of the muffins.
  • Serve the muffins fresh or store them in the refrigerator for 2-3 days in an airtight container.

Notes

INGREDIENT NOTES
  1. All the ingredients must be at room temperature to properly emulsify: eggs, butter, and milk.
  2. The baking soda and vinegar mixture is my signature baking hack to make muffins and cupcakes super moist and fluffy, do not skip it.
  3. You might be able to make more or less mini muffins with this recipe depending on the size of your mini muffin cases.
  4. The cream cheese, mascarpone, and heavy cream/whipping cream all need to be high in fat. Using the low-fat version may result in a thinner frosting because it contains more water.
  5. Use high-quality gel food coloring eg. Americolor that has a vibrant red color to prevent breaking the batter.
TECHNIQUE NOTES
  1. A digital scale is required for a consistent, happy baking experience:)
  2. Do not overwork the muffin batter. After the wet ingredients are whipped together switch to a rubber spatula to incorporate the dry ingredients.
  3. Always preheat your oven and consider using a digital oven thermometer for the best results.
  4. When whipping in the eggs, butter, and milk, make sure they are all at room temperature otherwise the batter will break. 
  5. Also, make sure that you whip in the eggs and milk slowly. Do not pour these wet ingredients in all at once as that can also break the muffin batter and cause it to curdle.
  6. Baking these muffins takes 22 minutes in my oven. However, focus on the texture, not the time. Do the toothpick test (it should come out clean) to avoid underbaked muffins. Yet, do not overbake them either as that would result in a dry texture.
  7. Cream cheese frosting is very easy to overwhip. When whipping the frosting stop as soon as the mixture has reached a fluffy consistency (this will take 2-3 minutes). It won't get stiffer after this point. In fact, if you overbeat it, it will only get runnier and then it will break

Nutrition

Calories: 339kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 276mg | Potassium: 99mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 637IU | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @spatuladesserts or tag #spatuladesserts would love to see your creation on Instagram!
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I am Katalin Nagy, and it is my pleasure to welcome you to Spatula Desserts, a baking blog where I will teach you how to bake like a Pro with the help of my foolproof recipes, baking tutorials, and online baking classes! 

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