Name: Green Velvet Cupcakes | St Patrick's Day Cupcake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 27 min
Total time: 37 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar; ½ cup butter – unsalted; 3 eggs; 3 drops green food coloring – or more; 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon baking soda; 1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder; 1 cup buttermilk*; 2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 8 ounces cream cheese – softened; ½ cup unsalted butter – softened; 4 cups confectioner's sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; green sanding sugar or shamrock sprinkles

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Green Velvet Cupcakes are a playful and festive twist on the classic red velvet variety. Fun, vibrant, and completely delightful, these cupcakes beckon with their rich green hue—perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations or any festive occasion. The soft, moist texture, combined with a creamy, dreamy cream cheese frosting, creates a flavor experience that’s utterly irresistible.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Green Velvet Cupcakes | St Patrick’s Day Cupcake Recipe
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Green Velvet Cupcakes | St Patrick’s Day Cupcake Recipe

Green Velvet Cupcakes | St Patrick's Day Cupcake Recipe

What makes these cupcakes even better is how simple they are to whip up. You don’t need to be a professional baker to impress your friends and family. The combination of easily accessible ingredients and straightforward steps ensures success in your kitchen. Once you serve these at a gathering, they’re sure to become a favorite among all ages. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s bake some Green Velvet Cupcakes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Just 10 minutes of prep time means you’ll have these beauties ready to go in about 30 minutes—a perfect recipe when you’re short on time!
Irresistible Flavor: These cupcakes are rich and velvety, offering a unique taste that’s both sweet and slightly tangy thanks to the buttermilk.
Eye-Catching Appeal: With their vibrant green color, these cupcakes are visually stunning and perfect for adding fun to your dessert table.
Flexible Serving: Ideal for parties, celebrations, or a sweet snack at home, these cupcakes fit any occasion perfectly.
Diet-Friendly Options: You can easily modify this recipe to be gluten-free or dairy-free if needed, allowing everyone to join in on the fun!

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 ¼ cup granulated sugar: This sweetness is essential for balancing the tanginess of the cream cheese frosting. If desired, you can substitute with cane sugar for a more earthy flavor.
½ cup unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature, butter adds richness and moisture to the cupcakes. For a dairy-free option, you can use vegan butter.
3 large eggs: Ensure your eggs are at room temperature; this helps create a light and fluffy batter.
3 drops green food coloring: This is where the magic happens! Adjust the amount depending on how vibrant you want your cupcakes to be. Natural coloring options are also available if you prefer.
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: Offers the structure for your cupcakes. For a gluten-free option, consider using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
½ teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavor of all the other ingredients.
½ teaspoon baking soda & 1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder: These leavening agents create a fluffy texture in your baked goods.
1 cup buttermilk: This ingredient not only helps keep the cupcakes moist but also adds a delightful tang. You can replace it with a non-dairy milk mixed with a bit of vinegar for a similar effect.
2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Adds depth to the flavor. Always choose pure vanilla for the best taste.
8 ounces cream cheese: Softened, this is the star of your frosting; it gives that creamy, rich texture.
½ cup unsalted butter: Just like in the cupcake batter, this adds creaminess to your frosting. For a lighter option, you can replace part of the butter with whipped cream.
4 cups confectioner’s sugar: This sweet ingredient is essential for a smooth frosting. Sift it first to prevent lumps.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting): This helps to soften the sweetness of the sugar in your frosting.
Green sanding sugar or shamrock sprinkles: These are optional but give a magical finish.

How to Make Green Velvet Cupcakes | St Patrick’s Day Cupcake Recipe

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin pan with 18 cupcake liners to get ready for baking.

Cream Together Sugar and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, using a hand or stand mixer, beat together 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar and ½ cup softened unsalted butter until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial as it helps to incorporate air, leading to light, airy cupcakes.

Add Eggs Gradually: Crack in 3 large eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Ensure they are fully incorporated before proceeding to the next. This technique helps maintain the structure of the batter.

Mix in Food Coloring and Vanilla: Add 3 drops of green food coloring and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the mixture, beating until everything is well combined. Adjust the food coloring to reach your desired shade of green.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and 1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder to ensure even distribution of the baking agents.

Incorporate Buttermilk: Pour 1 cup of buttermilk into the wet ingredients, mixing gently to combine. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; you want to keep that fluffiness!

Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Mixture: Gradually beat in the flour mixture until just combined. The batter should be smooth and a bit thick, but take care not to overmix, as it can lead to tough cupcakes.

Fill the Liners: Using a scoop or spoon, generously fill each cupcake liner about ¾ full with batter. This will leave room for the cupcakes to rise beautifully without spilling over.

Bake Your Cupcakes: Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. They should be fragrant and slightly springy to the touch.

Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a separate bowl, begin by beating 8 ounces of softened cream cheese until it is smooth. Add in ½ cup softened unsalted butter and continue mixing until well combined.

Add Vanilla and Confectioner’s Sugar: Mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and gradually add 4 cups of confectioner’s sugar. Beat until the frosting is velvety smooth and creamy. Adjust the sweetness as per your liking!

Pipe Frosting on Cupcakes: Once the cupcakes have cooled completely, use a piping bag to decorate them with the cream cheese frosting. You can swirl it on or use any creative design that catches your fancy.

Add Final Touches: Top your frosted cupcakes with green sanding sugar or shamrock sprinkles to give a charming touch, and they’re ready to be served!

Storing & Reheating

You can store leftover cupcakes at room temperature in an airtight container for about 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week. If you want to keep them for even longer, you can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To refresh your cupcakes after freezing, simply thaw them at room temperature and add fresh frosting as desired.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Ensure that all ingredients, especially eggs and butter, are at room temperature for the fluffiest results.
Be cautious not to overmix your batter after adding the flour; this can create dense cupcakes rather than tender ones.
If your frosting is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
Make sure the cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent the icing from melting away.

Green Velvet Cupcakes are not only visually stunning but also deliciously unique, perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or any joyous occasion. The vibrant color and delightful taste will make these treats a hit with everyone who has a bite. Don’t shy away from experimenting with flavors or decorations—your culinary creativity is welcome here! Enjoy sharing these heartfelt treats with your friends and family; they are sure to cause smiles and joy all around.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Absolutely! If you don’t have buttermilk available, you can mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes to curdle slightly, which will mimic the acidity of buttermilk.

How do I prevent my cupcakes from overflowing while baking?

Filling the liners only ¾ full is key. If you find that your batter consistently overflows, consider using a slightly smaller scoop or adjusting the amount of batter you fill each liner with.

Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?

Yes! You can easily substitute the regular all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure it contains xanthan gum or similar to ensure proper texture, keeping in mind that baking times might vary slightly.

How can I ensure my cream cheese frosting doesn’t turn out lumpy?

Make sure both your cream cheese and butter are thoroughly softened before mixing. If you still encounter lumps, beat your frosting longer with the mixer, or use a whisk to incorporate any stubborn lumps.

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