Name: Green Velvet Cupcakes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup cake flour; 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder; ½ tsp baking soda; ¼ tsp salt; ¾ cup granulated sugar; ½ cup 1% milk (room temperature); ½ cup vegetable oil; 1 large egg (room temperature); 1 tbsp distilled white vinegar; 1 tsp pure vanilla extract; ½ tsp green gel food coloring; Vanilla buttercream or cream cheese frosting; Festive sprinkles (optional)

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Festive Appearance: The striking green color adds a fun and seasonal touch to your dessert table, perfect for themed parties or holidays.
Unique Flavor: Combining subtle cocoa notes with a tender crumb, these cupcakes provide a balanced sweetness that’s both rich and light.
Simple Preparation: With straightforward ingredients and steps, both novice and experienced bakers can achieve excellent results.

Ingredients

Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.

Cake flour
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Baking soda
Salt
Granulated sugar
Milk (1% preferred)
Vegetable oil
Large egg
Distilled white vinegar
Pure vanilla extract
Green gel food coloring
Vanilla buttercream or cream cheese frosting
Festive sprinkles for decoration

Directions

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with 12 liners.
Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together 1 cup of cake flour, 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together ¾ cup of granulated sugar, ½ cup of 1% milk at room temperature, ½ cup of vegetable oil, 1 large egg at room temperature, 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract until smooth.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, whisking until the batter is smooth and free of lumps.
Add Food Coloring: Stir in ½ teaspoon of green gel food coloring until the batter achieves a uniform green color.
Fill Cupcake Liners: Spoon the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each no more than two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
Cool: Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frost and Decorate: Once cooled, frost the cupcakes with vanilla buttercream or cream cheese frosting. For an added festive touch, sprinkle with themed sprinkles.

Servings and Timing

Yield: 12 cupcakes
Preparation Time: Approximately 20 minutes
Baking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 35 minutes

Variations

Alternative Flours: Substitute cake flour with all-purpose flour for a slightly denser texture.
Different Colors: Swap green food coloring for another shade to fit different themes or occasions.
Frosting Options: Try using chocolate buttercream for a richer contrast or a peppermint-flavored frosting for a holiday twist.

Storage/Reheating

Room Temperature: Store unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigeration: Frosted cupcakes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving.
Freezing: Freeze unfrosted cupcakes in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and frost before serving.

FAQs

How do I get a vibrant green color?

Use gel food coloring rather than liquid food coloring for a more concentrated and bold color.

Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cupcakes a day in advance and frost them just before serving.

What type of frosting pairs best with green velvet cupcakes?

Cream cheese frosting is a classic choice, but vanilla buttercream also works beautifully.

Can I use natural food coloring?

Yes, spinach or matcha powder can be used, but the shade may not be as vibrant.

Do these cupcakes taste like traditional red velvet?

Yes, they have the same mild cocoa flavor with a slightly tangy note from the vinegar.

Can I make a cake instead of cupcakes?

Yes, you can pour the batter into a cake pan and adjust the baking time accordingly.

How do I make them more festive?

Use themed sprinkles, edible glitter, or even pipe shamrock designs on top.

Why is vinegar used in the recipe?

Vinegar helps activate the baking soda, making the cupcakes light and fluffy.

Can I make them dairy-free?

Yes, substitute milk with almond or oat milk and use a dairy-free frosting.

What if I don’t have cake flour?

You can make a substitute by replacing 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons of flour and adding 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.

Conclusion

Green Velvet Cupcakes are a fun and festive dessert that’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any celebration that calls for a pop of color. With their light texture, balanced flavor, and easy-to-follow instructions, they’re sure to become a favorite treat. Try different variations and frostings to make them uniquely yours!