Name: Red Velvet Muffins with Cream Cheese Filling
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder; ¼ teaspoon baking soda; 1 tablespoon cocoa powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; ½ cup vegetable oil; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup buttermilk; 2 tablespoons red food coloring (preferably gel for deeper color); 1 teaspoon white vinegar; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Red Food Coloring: The vibrant red color is the hallmark of red velvet, adding not just visual appeal but enhancing the flavor too.; Buttermilk: The acidity of buttermilk helps to tenderize the muffins and balances the richness of the cocoa, giving them a soft, light texture.; Cream Cheese: The rich, tangy cream cheese filling is a delightful addition, perfectly complementing the sweetness of the muffins.; Vinegar: A small amount of vinegar helps to activate the baking soda, ensuring the muffins rise beautifully.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Muffins:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons red food coloring (preferably gel for deeper color)
1 teaspoon white vinegar

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredient Highlights

Red Food Coloring: The vibrant red color is the hallmark of red velvet, adding not just visual appeal but enhancing the flavor too.
Buttermilk: The acidity of buttermilk helps to tenderize the muffins and balances the richness of the cocoa, giving them a soft, light texture.
Cream Cheese: The rich, tangy cream cheese filling is a delightful addition, perfectly complementing the sweetness of the muffins.
Vinegar: A small amount of vinegar helps to activate the baking soda, ensuring the muffins rise beautifully.

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Instructions

Prepare the Muffin Batter:

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it lightly to prevent sticking.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.
Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, buttermilk, red food coloring, and vinegar until smooth.
Add the Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dense muffins.

Make the Cream Cheese Filling:

Prepare the Filling: In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

Assemble the Muffins:

Fill the Muffin Tin: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of muffin batter into each muffin cup. Then, use a spoon to create a small indentation in the center of each muffin. Place a heaping tablespoon of the cream cheese filling in the center, and top with an additional tablespoon of muffin batter to cover the filling.
Bake: Bake the muffins for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the muffin (away from the cream cheese filling) comes out clean. Keep an eye on them, as oven times may vary.
Cool: Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serve and Enjoy:

Serve: Once the muffins are completely cooled, they’re ready to be served. Enjoy them as a breakfast treat, an afternoon snack, or a dessert!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: 12
Calories: 250
Fat: 12g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 5g