Christmas Red Velvet Cupcakes — The Best Moist Holiday Cupcakes Ever
If you’re looking for the perfect dessert that instantly brings holiday magic to your table, these Christmas Red Velvet Cupcakes…
If you’re looking for the perfect dessert that instantly brings holiday magic to your table, these Christmas Red Velvet Cupcakes are the ultimate choice. With their deep festive color, soft velvety crumb, and luxurious cream cheese frosting, these cupcakes capture everything we love about Christmas baking—warmth, comfort, nostalgia, and a little bit of sparkle. This recipe is designed to deliver bakery-style results with simple ingredients, making it ideal for beginner bakers and holiday experts alike.
These Christmas Red Velvet Cupcakes are soft, moist, richly flavored, and unbelievably easy to decorate. Whether you’re prepping for a holiday dessert bar, hosting a Christmas dinner, gifting homemade treats, or creating content for your Christmas blog posts or Pinterest boards, this recipe is optimized for flavor, beauty, and SEO performance.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Red Velvet Cupcakes:
These cupcakes aren’t just beautiful—they’re a holiday essential. Here’s what makes them special:
- Deep red Christmas color that stands out on festive dessert tables.
- Moist, tender, velvety crumb thanks to buttermilk, oil, and vinegar.
- Classic cream cheese frosting that’s smooth, silky, and perfect for piping.
- Beginner-friendly recipe with simple steps and no complicated ingredients.
- Easy to decorate for Christmas using sprinkles, glitter, and holiday toppers.
Ingredients for Christmas Red Velvet Cupcakes:
🧁 Cupcake Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 1 tbsp red gel food coloring
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tsp white vinegar
❄️Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: 1–2 tbsp heavy cream
How to Make Christmas Red Velvet Cupcakes (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Prep the Oven
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Line a muffin tin with holiday-themed cupcake liners.
Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients
Combine:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Cocoa powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
Mix until lump-free.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk:
- Oil
- Eggs
- Buttermilk
- Sour cream
- Red food coloring
- Vanilla
- Vinegar
Whisk until smooth, vibrant, and fully combined.
Step 4: Mix Together
- Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix gently.
- Do not overmix to maintain a soft, velvety texture.
Step 5: Fill & Bake
- Fill cupcake liners ⅔ full.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
How to Make the Christmas Cream Cheese Frosting
How to Make the Christmas Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1:
Beat softened butter and cream cheese together until creamy and pale.
Step 2:
Add powdered sugar one cup at a time.
Step 3:
Beat in vanilla and a pinch of salt.
Step 4:
If needed, add a tablespoon of heavy cream for extra fluffiness.
Pipe onto cooled cupcakes using a star tip for holiday swirls.
Festive Christmas Decorating Ideas
⭐ Classic Christmas Swirl
Use green and white frosting to create swirls.
⭐ Snowy Glitter Cupcakes
Dust with edible white shimmer dust for a snow effect.
⭐ Candy Cane Crunch
Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top of the frosting.
⭐ Christmas Tree Piping
Pipe green frosting in a tree shape and decorate with tiny sprinkles.
⭐ Holiday Sprinkle Mix
Use red, gold, and green sprinkles for a bright Christmas look.
Expert Baking Tips
Use gel-style food coloring for the deepest red.
Do not replace buttermilk—it creates the iconic red velvet texture.
For perfect domes, avoid overmixing the batter.
Allow cupcakes to cool fully before frosting to prevent melting.
Chill frosting for 10 minutes before piping for cleaner designs.
🎁 Storage & Freezing Guide
- Use gel-style food coloring for the deepest red.
- Do not replace buttermilk—it creates the iconic red velvet texture.
- For perfect domes, avoid overmixing the batter.
- Allow cupcakes to cool fully before frosting to prevent melting.
- Chill frosting for 10 minutes before piping for cleaner designs.
🎁 Storage & Freezing Guide:
Room Temperature
Unfrosted cupcakes stay fresh for 2 days.
Refrigerator
Frosted cupcakes last 4–5 days (cream cheese frosting must be chilled).
Freezer
- Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months.
- Freeze frosting separately and thaw before piping.
🎄 Christmas Variations:
Peppermint Christmas Red Velvet Cupcakes
Add ½ tsp peppermint extract to the batter.
White Chocolate Red Velvet Cupcakes
Fill with melted white chocolate or white chocolate ganache.
Gingerbread Red Velvet Cupcakes
Add ginger + cinnamon + nutmeg for a warm holiday twist.
Eggless Version
Replace eggs with ½ cup applesauce.
❄️ Nutrition (Per Cupcake)
- Calories: 235
Fat: 13g
- Carbs: 28g
- Protein: 3g
- Sugar: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
