Print

Easy Heart-Shaped Red Velvet Cupcakes for Valentine’s Day

heart-shaped red velvet cupcakes - featured image
Print Recipe

These heart-shaped red velvet cupcakes are moist, tender, and topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting. They’re the perfect Valentine’s Day dessert that looks impressive but is surprisingly easy to make.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon (5g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (1 stick, 113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons red gel food coloring
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 8 ounces (226g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (1 stick, 113g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 3–4 cups (360-480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place heart-shaped liners in a heart-shaped cupcake pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vegetable oil and vanilla extract.
  5. Add red gel food coloring and mix until batter is uniformly red.
  6. With mixer on low, add dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  7. Mix in white vinegar. Stir batter with a spatula to ensure everything is incorporated.
  8. Divide batter evenly among heart-shaped liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
  9. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. For frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, then vanilla and salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
  11. Once cupcakes are completely cool, pipe frosting onto each cupcake using a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Decorate as desired.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for the best red color. Room temperature ingredients are crucial for a smooth batter. Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense cupcakes. The vinegar helps the cupcakes rise and keeps the color vibrant.

Nutrition

Keywords: red velvet cupcakes, heart-shaped cupcakes, Valentine's Day dessert, cream cheese frosting, easy cupcakes

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/easy-heart-shaped-red-velvet-cupcakes-for-valentines-day/