Luxurious Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcakes

Ingredients:

For the Cupcakes:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cocoa powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup vegetable oil

1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature

2 large eggs, at room temperature

2 tablespoons red food coloring

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon white vinegar

For the Cheesecake Filling:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-3 tablespoons heavy cream

 

Directions:

1. Preheat & Prep:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.

2. Make the Cupcake Batter:

In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt.

In another bowl, whisk together oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar until well combined.

Gradually add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full with the red velvet batter.

3. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:

Beat together cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Drop a spoonful of cheesecake filling into the center of each cupcake.

4. Bake:

Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the red velvet part comes out clean.

Allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack.

5. Make the Frosting:

Beat butter until creamy.

Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth.

Add vanilla extract and heavy cream, beating until frosting is light and fluffy.

6. Frost & Serve:

Frost cooled cupcakes with prepared frosting.

Garnish with crumbs of red velvet cake if desired.

Nutritional Info:

Calories: 350 kcal per cupcake

Servings: 12 cupcakes

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes