Green Velvet Cupcakes Recipe
If you’re looking to create a dessert with show-stopping color and incredible flavor, these Green Velvet Cupcakes are bound to steal the spotlight at any gathering! Soft, tender, and lightly chocolatey with that classic velvet texture, this recipe gives the traditional red velvet a fresh, green spin. Topped with silky cream cheese frosting, every bite is irresistible. Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, planning a themed party, or just want an eye-catching treat, these cupcakes are absolute crowd-pleasers.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of pantry staples and a burst of rich green coloring, you’ll have everything you need to whip up these Green Velvet Cupcakes. Each ingredient has a special role—ensuring moistness, deep flavor, or that signature hue—so don’t skip a thing!
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cupcakes, providing structure and a tender crumb.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and keeps the cupcakes soft and moist.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Offers a subtle chocolate flavor that makes velvet cupcakes uniquely delicious.
- Baking Soda: Gives the right amount of lift for a perfectly domed cupcake.
- Salt: Balances flavors and intensifies the chocolate notes.
- Vegetable Oil: Brings moisture for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Buttermilk (room temperature): Reacts with the baking soda for fluffiness and adds gentle tang.
- Large Egg: Binds everything together and adds richness.
- White Vinegar: Essential for activating the baking soda and deepening that velvet texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Infuses warmth and brings together all the flavors.
- Green Gel Food Coloring: The magic ingredient for that vibrant emerald shade—gel works better than liquid!
- Cream Cheese (softened): Makes the frosting lusciously creamy and a perfect tangy foil to the sweet crumb.
- Unsalted Butter (softened): Adds velvety richness to the frosting.
- Powdered Sugar: Gives the frosting sweetness and cloud-like texture.
- Vanilla Extract (for frosting): Enhances the creamy topping with a touch more flavor.
- Pinch of Salt (for frosting): Keeps the frosting from being overly sweet and balances every bite.
How to Make Green Velvet Cupcakes
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) for even baking. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners—this ensures the Green Velvet Cupcakes will come out beautifully and saves on cleanup later!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixing the dry ingredients first means their flavors and leavening agents are well distributed for best results in each cupcake.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, add the vegetable oil, buttermilk, egg, white vinegar, vanilla extract, and your green gel food coloring. Whisk it all together until you’ve got a smooth, vibrant green mixture—this will help the coloring blend evenly into every bite.
Step 4: Bring Wet and Dry Together
Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until they’re just combined; a few small lumps are okay. Overmixing can make cupcakes tough, so keep it light—the batter should be smooth and vividly green.
Step 5: Fill and Bake
Divide the batter evenly among your lined muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake in your preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes. When a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, they’re ready!
Step 6: Cool Completely
Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then gently transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling. This step is essential—frosting warm cupcakes is a recipe for melty messes.
Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until completely smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and pinch of salt, then whip the frosting until it’s light, fluffy, and dreamy. This makes all the difference!
Step 8: Frost and Decorate
Once your Green Velvet Cupcakes are completely cool, pipe or spread generous swoops of cream cheese frosting on top. Decorate as desired with sprinkles, edible glitter, or even a few green candies for extra flair.
How to Serve Green Velvet Cupcakes
Garnishes
A classic swirl of cream cheese frosting is always a winner, but you can take these Green Velvet Cupcakes to the next level with touches like sparkling sugar, festive sprinkles, candied shamrocks, or even a light dusting of cocoa powder. They’re as fun to decorate as they are to eat!
Side Dishes
Pair your cupcakes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a simple fruit salad for a contrast of flavors and temperatures. For a party, offer them alongside coffee or milk to highlight their rich, tangy-sweet notes.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Green Velvet Cupcakes artfully on a tiered stand for a stunning centerpiece, or arrange them in a fun shamrock shape for St. Patrick’s Day. For extra wow-factor, tuck colorful cupcake liners or edible flowers around the base.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover cupcakes in an airtight container—frosted or unfrosted—and keep them at room temperature for up to one day. For longer freshness, store them in the refrigerator; just allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezing
The unfrosted Green Velvet Cupcakes freeze beautifully. Once cooled completely, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and pop them into a freezer bag for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature, then add fresh frosting when you’re ready to serve.
Reheating
If your cupcakes have been refrigerated or frozen, let them come to room temperature before enjoying. For that just-baked softness, you can microwave an unfrosted cupcake for 10 seconds, then add frosting right before eating.
FAQs
Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?
Gel food coloring is highly recommended for Green Velvet Cupcakes because it gives a deeper, more vibrant green without thinning the batter. Liquid coloring can work, but you may need much more for the same effect, which could affect the cupcake texture.
What if I don’t have buttermilk?
No buttermilk? No problem! You can make a quick substitute by mixing 1/2 cup of milk with 1 1/2 teaspoons of white vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes, and you’re ready to go.
Do Green Velvet Cupcakes taste different from red velvet?
The flavor is almost identical! Both have that light cocoa taste with a slight tang from buttermilk and vinegar. The main difference is the festive green hue, making these extra special for themed occasions.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely! If you need a big batch for a party, simply double all the ingredients and bake in two muffin tins. Just keep an eye on your oven—sometimes they may need an extra minute or two if baking multiple trays at once.
How do I make the frosting extra fluffy?
For cloud-like cream cheese frosting, be sure both the butter and cream cheese are at room temperature before beating. Add the powdered sugar gradually and beat on high for a few minutes until it’s light, fluffy, and holds soft peaks. A pinch of salt also rounds out the sweetness!
Final Thoughts
It’s nearly impossible to resist the charm and flavor of Green Velvet Cupcakes—they’re not just gorgeous on the outside, but truly delightful in every bite. If you’re searching for a treat that will light up your table and bring everyone running for seconds, give this recipe a try. Happy baking—I can’t wait for you to experience these joyful little cakes!
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Green Velvet Cupcakes Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these rich and vibrant Green Velvet Cupcakes topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any festive occasion!
Ingredients
Cupcake Batter:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 teaspoons green gel food coloring
Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together oil, buttermilk, egg, vinegar, vanilla, and green food coloring until smooth.
- Blend batter: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Bake: Divide the batter among cupcake liners and bake for 18–20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Make frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy, then add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
- Frost cupcakes: Once cooled, frost the cupcakes generously and decorate as desired.
Notes
- For deeper color, use gel food coloring instead of liquid.
- Cupcakes can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container.
- Frosting can be piped or spread with a spatula.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
