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Overhead shot of three pink velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and visible butter specks.

Pink Velvet Cupcakes: Delightfully Easy Recipe

Buttermilk and cream cheese frosting pink velvet cupcakes with a tender crumb and pink hue from food coloring.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

Cupcakes

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 156g
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar 100g
  • 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces 113g
  • 2 large eggs, one at a time
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk 120ml
  • 6-8 drops pink food coloring

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 113g
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened 113g
  • 3 cups powdered sugar 340g
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon half and half, plus more as needed 15ml

Instructions
 

Cupcakes

  • Preheat oven and line pan:

    Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Place paper liners in a cupcake pan.

  • Whisk dry ingredients together:

    In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar with a whisk.

  • Cut in cold butter:

    Add cold butter pieces. Use two knives or a paddle attachment to cut in until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with pea-sized butter bits.

  • Add eggs one by one:

    Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

  • Mix in vanilla and buttermilk:

    Pour in vanilla and buttermilk; stir until fully incorporated.

  • Add pink food coloring:

    Mix in 6-8 drops pink food coloring until the color is evenly distributed.

  • Fill cupcake liners:

    Divide batter among the lined cups, filling each 1/2 to 2/3 full.

  • Bake and cool cupcakes:

    Bake for 15-18 minutes, until tops bounce back when gently pressed. Let cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Beat cream cheese and butter:

    For the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until creamy and smooth.

  • Add powdered sugar and vanilla:

    Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat until the mixture is smooth.

  • Whip with half and half:

    Add 1 tablespoon half and half; beat on high speed until light and fluffy. Adjust consistency with additional half and half if needed.

  • Pipe frosting onto cupcakes:

    Pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes and garnish as desired.
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