Red Velvet “Sweetheart” Cupcakes

January 23, 2012 25 Comments

From the moment I saw this adorable cut-out idea I knew it would be the perfect creative decor for a Valentine’s Day treat. Though I love piping a mound of frosting onto the tops of my cupcakes, this was too precious not to try. Paired with a winning Red-Velvet recipe, this may be one of the easiest ways to make a festive and impressive cupcake. It’s really as simple as slicing the top off of the cupcake, finding a cute mini cookie cutter and cutting a shape out of the top. Fill it with some delicious frosting and the end result is a festive and delicious treat.

Red Velvet Sweetheart Cupcakes via The Baker Chick

Red Velvet Sweetheart Cupcakes- The Baker Chick

I’ve only actually made Red Velvet once before, and it was one of my first blog posts ever. Those cupcakes turned out fine, but I’ve been waiting to try again until I found the perfect recipe. You see I am picky about red velvet, (I actually had a project a few years back where I attempted to try all the red velvet cupcakes in NYC trying to find the best,) so finding a great one was no easy task. This recipe actually fulfills all my red velvet requirements! 1- The right amount of chocolate taste. Not overpowering, but definitely there. 2- A color that looks deep, chocolate red and not bright candy apple red. 3- Fluffy, Airy Texture. I loved these and so did the friends that ate them!

Creating the cut-out look is super easy. I took some pictures of the process to make it clear.
1- Using a serrated knife, slice the top of the cupcake off.

2- With a heart-shaped cutter, make a cut-out in the top of the cupcake.

3. Pipe or spread a layer of frosting on the top

4. Replace the top! (And make a heart “sandwich” if you’d like!)

5. (not pictured) Give these to people you like and watch as they grow to like you more!

Print

Red Velvet "Sweetheart" Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Ingredients
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
2½ tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons red food coloring
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup buttermilk
1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
1½ teaspoons distilled white vinegar

1/2 stick of butter, at room temperature
1 8 oz. package of cream cheese, at room temperature
2½ cups powdered sugar
1/2 a vanilla bean scraped out or 1 tsp vanilla bean paste, or 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a standard muffin/cupcake pan with liners.
On medium-high speed, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Turn the mixer to high and add the egg. Scrape down the bowl and beat until well incorporated.
In a separate small bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, vanilla extract and red food coloring to make a thick paste. Add to the batter and mix on medium speed until completely combined. You may need to stop the mixer to scrape the bottom of the bowl, making sure that all the batter gets color.
Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly add half of the buttermilk. Add half of the flour and mix until combined. Scrape the bowl and repeat the process with the remaining milk and flour. Beat on high until smooth.
Again, reduce the mixer speed to low and add the salt, baking soda and vinegar. Turn to high and beat for another couple of minutes until completely combined and smooth.
Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners and bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cool for 10 minutes and then remove cupcakes from the pan and place them on a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
To make the frosting: With your electric mixer, whip the butter and cream cheese on high speed for about 5 minutes, scraping the bowl down as necessary. Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar until all is incorporated. Add the vanilla and mix to combine. Increase the speed to medium high and whip for a few minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy, scraping the bowl as necessary.
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Cupcake Recipe: Joy the Baker via the Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook

Cut-out-Idea first seen on: Glorious Treats

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Comments

Rebecca says:

February 15, 2013 at 9:01 pm

Hi Audra,

Just wanted to say thank you for this fabulous recipe. I made them yesterday and they turned out great! Beautiful dough, incredibly moist, and really authentic red velvet flavor.

Thanks!
Rebecca

swei says:

January 28, 2013 at 4:26 pm

Hi Audra, I noticed that your 2nd and 3rd pictures somehow didn’t manage to load!
Would love to see them :)

BigFatBaker says:

January 25, 2012 at 4:23 am

Cute and so creative!! These would be perfect for presents…or to eat them all up in a sitting :)

Mi Vida en un Dulce says:

January 25, 2012 at 3:39 am

I also saw pictures of these beautiful cupcakes, so lovely to make that heart cut. Excellent idea to have it in a red velvet option.

The Weekly Sweet Experiment says:

January 25, 2012 at 3:38 am

Adorable – the perfect treat for Valentine’s.

Shannon says:

January 24, 2012 at 7:58 pm

So cute! I love it. I think I just found what I’m doing for my co-worker’s for V-day!!

Im At Home Baking says:

January 24, 2012 at 11:25 am

These are super cute!

Amalia says:

January 24, 2012 at 6:41 am

These are adorable, perfect for V-Day! The cut-out is a genius idea, so cute :) They look super moist and delicious, exactly what a cupcake should be!

Audra says:

January 24, 2012 at 3:24 am

Yes! I was thinking a shamrock cutout with a Guinness cupcake? :)

Kels @ K&K Test Kitchen says:

January 24, 2012 at 3:02 am

This is such a cute idea! I’m imagining this with green cupcakes and shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day too!

Shannon says:

January 24, 2012 at 2:17 am

These are so cute and easy! I have never made red velvet cake before, I think I need to change that!

bakeyourday says:

January 24, 2012 at 1:34 am

I LOVE this. Fabulous idea, and perfect for valentine’s day!

Sarah Bulmer says:

January 24, 2012 at 12:13 am

Awww, what a classy Valentines idea. There could be a whole world of fun to be had with cupcake tops and cookie cutters. :)

Kiri W. says:

January 23, 2012 at 10:29 pm

Very cute idea! I don’t like red velvet cake much, but they of course look great for VDay. Now, vanilla bean cream cheese frosting I’m up for any time! ;)

Maria says:

January 23, 2012 at 10:20 pm

Too cute!

cry5tal says:

January 23, 2012 at 9:48 pm

These look so wonderful! Great blog. :)

Erin says:

January 23, 2012 at 7:38 pm

How cute are these! Love everything red and hearts for V Day!

nicole {sweet peony} says:

January 23, 2012 at 6:58 pm

so cute & sweet! and i love red velvet! :)

Erin says:

January 23, 2012 at 3:01 pm

Those are definitely too cute.

Ashley says:

January 23, 2012 at 2:27 pm

What an adorable treat! Made my day! I will have to try them out for my hubby.

movita beaucoup says:

January 23, 2012 at 12:49 pm

So sweet! A great post to get my day started…

tbbaker says:

January 23, 2012 at 12:14 pm

These do look amazing, Audra! Not only are they stunning but the choice of flavor is a winner. Not many people can resist red velvet-yum! Great post.

Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says:

January 23, 2012 at 12:01 pm

These are beautiful! I love how you went on a search for the perfect red velvet. Awesome!

Valerie Dubard says:

January 23, 2012 at 8:22 am

They look really nice, they’re lovely and real cute!

Krissy's Creations says:

January 23, 2012 at 7:31 am

Adorable. Adorable. Adorable. Adorable! Ah Audra, you’ve done it again :)