Green Velvet Cupcakes | St Patrick’s Day Cupcake Recipe are not only a festive nod to the beloved Irish holiday but also a deliciously unique twist on the classic red velvet dessert. Their vibrant green hue coupled with a luscious cream cheese frosting makes these cupcakes a delight to behold and an absolute treat to eat. Picture a tender, soft crumb that melts in your mouth, perfectly complemented by the tangy cream cheese blanket that wraps around each swirl. These cupcakes are more than just visually appealing; they’re crafted to ensure that every bite delivers a satisfying mix of sweetness and flavor.

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

Green Velvet Cupcakes | St Patrick's Day Cupcake

My first encounter with Green Velvet Cupcakes was during a St. Patrick’s Day get-together when a friend surprised everyone with this colorful creation. The moment I took a bite, I was hooked! They quickly became a holiday staple in our circle; the festive color brings smiles, while the velvety texture keeps everyone coming back for more. If you’re looking for an easy, impressive dessert to celebrate, you’re going to love how simple this recipe is. Let’s whip up these delightful treats together!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: This recipe is ready in under an hour, perfect for when you’re short on time but craving something special!
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of buttermilk and cream cheese gives these cupcakes a moisture that’s absolutely divine.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The vibrant green color makes them a fun centerpiece for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Flexible Serving: Whether for a party, dessert table, or just an afternoon snack, these cupcakes fit every occasion beautifully.
Diet-Friendly Options: With a few tweaks, you can make these gluten-free or dairy-free, ensuring everyone can enjoy!

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 ¼ cup granulated sugar: This sweetener is essential for striking the right balance in flavor. For a less sweet option, consider using coconut sugar.
½ cup unsalted butter: Provides richness and moisture. If you prefer a dairy-free option, vegan butter works well too.
3 eggs: Important for binding and adding structure to the cupcakes. You can use flax eggs for a vegan alternative.
3 drops green food coloring: Adjust based on your color preference; gel food coloring provides a vibrant green without altering the texture.
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The base for your cupcakes; if you need a gluten-free option, a 1:1 gluten-free substitute can be used.
½ teaspoon salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness. Do not skip this vital ingredient.
½ teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cupcakes rise and gives them a soft texture.
1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder: Works alongside the baking soda to achieve that bakery-quality lift.
1 cup buttermilk: Essential for moisture and adds a slight tang; if unavailable, mix milk with vinegar for a quick substitute.
2 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds delightful flavor. Opt for pure vanilla extract for the best taste.
8 ounces cream cheese: The star of your frosting; ensure it’s softened for easy spreading.
½ cup unsalted butter: Combines with the cream cheese for a rich frosting; stick to unsalted to control sweetness.
4 cups confectioner’s sugar: For the perfect sweetness in your frosting; if you’re aiming for a less sweet frosting, reduce to 3 cups.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor profile of the frosting.
Green sanding sugar or shamrock sprinkles: A magical finishing touch to make your cupcakes dazzle.

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

Preheat oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350° F. This ensures that your cupcakes bake evenly right from the start.

Prepare muffin pans: Line your muffin pans with 18 cupcake liners. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup much easier.

Cream sugar and butter: In a large bowl, cream together 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar and ½ cup unsalted butter until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. This step is crucial as it incorporates air for a tender cupcake.

Incorporate eggs: Add in the 3 eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure everything is well mixed. This helps create a cohesive batter.

Mix in color and vanilla: Stir in the green food coloring and 2 teaspoon vanilla extract, adjusting the food coloring to reach your desired vibrancy.

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 until well combined. This helps evenly distribute the leavening agents.

Add buttermilk: Pour 1 cup of buttermilk into the wet ingredients and mix gently until just combined. This adds moistness to your cupcakes.

Mix dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the buttermilk mixture, beating on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep your cupcakes light and fluffy.

Fill liners: Using a scoop or spoon, fill the cupcake liners about ¾ full with batter. This allows room for them to rise without overflowing.

Bake: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for about 17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The edges should be lightly golden, speaking to their doneness.

Beat cream cheese: While cupcakes cool, beat the 8 ounces of cream cheese until smooth and creamy. This is the base for your delicious frosting.

Combine with butter: Add in ½ cup softened unsalted butter, beating together until well blended for a rich, creamy consistency.

Add remaining ingredients: Mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 4 cups confectioner’s sugar, beating until the frosting is fluffy and smooth. Adjust sweetness to your preference.

Frost and decorate: Pipe the delightful cream cheese frosting onto the cooled cupcakes, and finish with green sanding sugar or shamrock sprinkles for a festive touch.

Storing & Reheating

Once your Green Velvet Cupcakes are frosted and decorated, they can be stored at room temperature for about 2 days in an airtight container. If you’d like to keep them fresh longer, refrigerate them for up to a week, properly covered. You can even freeze these cupcakes, unfrosted, for up to 3 months. To reheat, let them thaw at room temperature for a short time, and enjoy them as is or pop them in a microwave for about 10-15 seconds to slightly warm. Keep in mind that freezing may slightly alter the texture, but a quick zap in the microwave can refresh their feel.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Always use room temperature eggs and butter for the best mixing results.
Monitor baking time closely, as ovens vary. Begin checking for doneness a couple of minutes early.
To avoid dense cupcakes, ensure not to overmix your batter once the flour is added.
Keep frosting chilled if you aren’t decorating right away; it makes for easier piping.
If you want a richer flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of almond extract to the frosting.
To make ahead, you can bake the cupcakes and freeze them; frost fresh when you’re ready to serve.

Every holiday deserves a special treat, and these cupcakes are sure to bring joy to your celebrations. With their lovely hue and delectable cream cheese frosting, they are not just desserts; they become delightful conversational pieces! I hope you find them as enchanting as I do. Get creative with your decorations, play with the color a bit, and let your kitchen be a place of happiness.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, if you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily substitute it by mixing 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for about five minutes to curdle before adding it to your batter.

How do I make these cupcakes gluten-free?

To create gluten-free Green Velvet Cupcakes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Ensure that your baking powder and other ingredients are also gluten-free to keep the recipe compliant.

Can I prepare the cream cheese frosting in advance?

Absolutely! You can make the cream cheese frosting ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Just give it a good stir before using, and it will be as fresh as ever.

What if my cupcakes sink in the middle?

If your cupcakes sink, it could be due to overmixing or underbaking. Ensure that when you mix your batter, you do so just until combined, and keep a close eye on the baking time, checking for doneness with a toothpick.

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Green Velvet Cupcakes | St Patrick’s Day Cupcake

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Author: Anna
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 27 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Yield: 18 cupcakes 1x
Category: Desserts & Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

These Green Velvet Cupcakes are a delightful celebration of flavor and color, featuring a creamy frosting that complements their unique taste. Perfect for special occasions, they’re easy to make and a favorite among both children and adults.

Ingredients

Scale

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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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare muffin tins with 18 liners.
In a large bowl, cream the granulated sugar and unsalted butter together.
Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Stir in the green food coloring and vanilla extract.
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
Mix the buttermilk into the wet mixture.
Gradually blend the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until well combined.
Fill the liners about ¾ full with the batter.
Bake for approximately 17 minutes, using a toothpick to test for doneness.

Notes

Be sure to use softened cream cheese for easy mixing.
You can adjust the amount of green food coloring for a deeper color.
Top with green sanding sugar or shamrock sprinkles for a festive touch.