Ravishing Raspberry Red Velvet Cupcakes
Ingredients
Scale
Red Velvet Cupcakes
- 1 box Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist Red Velvet Cake Mix
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup salted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
Raspberry Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup salted butter, softened
- 3½ to 4 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup seedless raspberry preserves
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 teaspoons freeze-dried raspberry powder, crushed first then measured
- Pink food coloring, optional
Toppings
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a cupcake pan with liners and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cake mix. Add the whole milk, melted butter, eggs, sour cream, vanilla, and white vinegar. Mix just until fully combined and smooth. Do not overmix.
- Let the batter rest for 10 minutes to help create a softer, more even crumb.
- Divide the batter evenly between cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake at 325°F until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed.
- Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing on low until incorporated, then increase speed and beat until smooth. Beat in the raspberry preserves and vanilla.
- Crush freeze-dried raspberries into a very fine powder, then measure 1 to 2 teaspoons and add to the frosting. Add pink food coloring if using. Beat for 15 to 20 seconds until fully combined. Chill for 10 to 15 minutes if the frosting feels soft.
- Pipe a dollop of frosting onto each cooled cupcake. Finish with pink sanding sugar and a Valentine’s Day marshmallow.
Notes
- Use 1 teaspoon raspberry powder for a lighter berry flavor and softer pink.
- Use 2 teaspoons for a bolder raspberry taste and thicker, more bakery-style frosting.
- These cupcakes taste even better after they’ve had a little time to set.