Recipes by Brad, Simple Recipes anyone can make

Vegan Red Velvet Cupcakes (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

Understanding each component helps create perfect vegan red velvet cupcakes. Below are the core ingredients with exact measurements and explanations to guide you through their roles in the recipe.

All-Purpose Flour – 1 ½ cups

This forms the base of the cupcake, providing structure and body. Using all-purpose flour ensures a tender crumb while holding moisture well for soft cupcakes.

Sugar – 1 cup

Sugar adds sweetness and helps achieve a moist texture by retaining moisture during baking. Granulated white sugar is ideal for balance and smoothness.

Cocoa Powder – 2 tablespoons

Unsweetened cocoa powder brings the rich chocolate flavor essential to red velvet. It also contributes to the cake’s characteristic deep color when combined with red food coloring.

Baking Soda – 1 teaspoon

Baking soda acts as a leavening agent helping the cupcakes rise and become fluffy. It reacts with acidic ingredients to create air bubbles in the batter.

Apple Cider Vinegar – 1 teaspoon

The vinegar provides acidity needed for activating baking soda. It also enhances the red hue by reacting with cocoa powder’s alkalinity, contributing to authentic flavor.

Plant-Based Milk (Almond or Soy) – 1 cup

This liquid moistens the dry ingredients without dairy. Almond or soy milk work well due to their neutral taste and creamy texture which supports cupcake fluffiness.

Vegetable Oil – ½ cup

Oil helps keep cupcakes tender and moist by coating flour proteins and preventing gluten overdevelopment. A neutral oil like canola or sunflower is best suited.

Vanilla Extract – 1 teaspoon

Vanilla adds depth of flavor that balances the cocoa’s richness and enhances overall taste complexity in this vegan dessert.

Red Food Coloring (Vegan) – 1 tablespoon

This provides the signature vibrant red color typical of red velvet cakes. Using vegan-certified dye ensures no animal products are involved.

Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

The frosting requires vegan cream cheese, powdered sugar, plant-based butter, and vanilla extract to create a smooth, tangy topping that perfectly complements the cupcakes’ flavor profile.

Ingredient close-up

# Instructions:

This section guides you through making delicious vegan red velvet cupcakes from start to finish with clear instructions for each step.

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Muffin Tin

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a standard muffin tin with paper cupcake liners or lightly grease it with oil. Proper preparation ensures even baking and easy removal of cupcakes once done.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients Together

In a large mixing bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and baking soda. Sifting breaks up any lumps while combining these ingredients evenly throughout the batter for consistent texture and rise.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients Separately

In another bowl, whisk together plant-based milk, vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until fully blended. This liquid mixture will activate leavening agents ensuring lightness in your cupcakes.

Step 4: Incorporate Wet Into Dry Ingredients

Add the wet mixture gradually into the dry ingredients while stirring gently but thoroughly using a spatula or mixer on low speed. Avoid overmixing; just combine until smooth batter forms without lumps remaining.

Step 5: Fill Muffin Cups Evenly

Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising during baking without overflow or flat tops.

Step 6: Bake Until Fully Cooked

Bake in preheated oven for approximately 18–22 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into cupcake centers; if it comes out clean or with few crumbs attached, they’re ready to remove from oven.

Step 7: Cool Before Frosting

Let cupcakes cool in pan for five minutes then transfer to wire rack until completely cool before applying frosting. Cooling prevents melting or sliding of frosting later on.

Step 8: Prepare Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream together softened vegan cream cheese and plant-based butter using an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing continuously until thickened to desired consistency; finally stir in vanilla extract for flavor balance.

Step 9: Frost Cupcakes Generously

Spoon or pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes evenly covering tops. Optionally decorate with sprinkles or cacao nibs for extra visual appeal while keeping texture contrast enjoyable.