Oh, let me tell you about one of my absolute favorite treats in the world: Red Velvet Muffins with Cream Cheese Filling! These little beauties are like a warm hug in muffin form—so soft, so flavorful, and oh-so-fun to make. The rich flavor of red velvet combined with that dreamy cream cheese filling is something I look forward to every time I bake.
The first time I made these muffins was during a cozy winter weekend. A friend of mine had come over, and we were determined to whip up something festive. After digging through the pantry, we stumbled upon a bottle of red food coloring, and the rest is history! Between bursts of flour flying around and laughter echoing through the kitchen, we created these delightful muffins, and they’ve been a staple in my home ever since. Now, every time I see that vibrant red color, it reminds me of our fun kitchen adventure!
What’s in Red Velvet Muffins with Cream Cheese Filling?
Let’s break down these ingredients, shall we? There’s something special about each one of them:
All-Purpose Flour: This is the backbone of any good muffin. I usually go for unbleached flour; it just feels a bit more wholesome.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetness is key! This sugar gives the muffins a lovely, tender crumb.
Baking Soda & Baking Powder: These leavening agents ensure our muffins rise perfectly. Definitely don’t skip these!
Salt: Just a pinch helps balance out the sweetness and enhances flavor.
Cocoa Powder: A little cocoa gives the muffins that classic red velvet taste without making them too chocolatey.
Vegetable Oil: For moisture! Oil keeps these muffins soft and tender. Plus, it’s easier than butter for mixing purposes.
Large Egg: Eggs add structure and richness. You want them to be at room temperature for better mixing!
Buttermilk: This ingredient is a game-changer! It brings a lovely tang that complements the sweetness beautifully and helps keep the muffins moist.
Red Food Coloring: This is what gives our muffins that stunning color. The more intense, the better!
Vanilla Extract: A bit of vanilla can elevate any baked good, bringing out all those delicious flavors.
Cream Cheese: Oh, the star of the show! Creamy and dreamy, it’s what makes each muffin feel like a little indulgence.
Powdered Sugar: For a touch of sweetness in the filling; it blends perfectly with the cream cheese.
Cold Butter, All-Purpose Flour, Brown Sugar, and Cinnamon: These ingredients come together for a crumb topping. If you can, always use cold butter so it crumbles nicely!
Is Red Velvet Muffins with Cream Cheese Filling Good for You?
Now, let’s chat health. I mean, we’re diving into muffins, so we have to be a little mindful!
All-Purpose Flour: Not the most nutritious option, but it does provide some carbs for energy. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could replace some of it with whole wheat flour for added fiber.
Granulated Sugar & Powdered Sugar: This recipe has a fair amount of sugar, which should be enjoyed in moderation—after all, we want to indulge without a sugar crash later!
Vegetable Oil: This brings moisture but consider using a healthier alternative like olive oil if you’re looking to cut down on saturated fats.
Cream Cheese: It’s creamy and delicious, but it’s still a treat! Look for lower-fat cream cheese as an option to lighten things up.
All in all, these muffins can be enjoyed as a delightful treat! Just be sure to share them or save some for later because, trust me, you’ll want more than one!
Ingredients
– 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 tsp baking soda
– 1 tsp baking powder
– ½ tsp salt
– 1 tsp cocoa powder
– ½ cup vegetable oil
– 1 large egg
– 1 cup buttermilk
– 2 tbsp red food coloring
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– ½ cup cream cheese, softened
– ¼ cup powdered sugar
– 1 tsp vanilla extract (for cream cheese filling)
– ½ cup cold butter (for crumb topping)
– ½ cup all-purpose flour (for crumb topping)
– ¼ cup brown sugar (for crumb topping)
– ¼ tsp cinnamon (optional, for crumb topping)
**Makes about 12 muffins.**
How to Make Red Velvet Muffins with Cream Cheese Filling?
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners—this is where the magic happens!
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder. This dry mix is the foundation!
3. In another bowl, mix the vegetable oil, egg, buttermilk, red food coloring, and vanilla extract until it’s a lovely blend.
4. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry, stirring gently until everything is just combined. **Pro Tip:** Don’t over mix! A few lumps are okay.
5. In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 1 tsp of vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. This will be our delicious filling!
6. Fill each muffin liner about halfway with red velvet batter. Then, plop in a generous spoonful of the cream cheese filling, followed by more batter until the liners are about ¾ full.
7. For the crumb topping, mix the cold butter, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a separate bowl until it resembles coarse crumbs—fun fact: getting messy while doing this just adds to the fun!
8. Sprinkle that glorious crumb topping over each muffin before they go into the oven.
9. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the muffins comes out clean. Try not to hover too close to the oven; you’ll just end up with a crumbly heart!
10. Once baked, let them cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Patience is key here, but it’s sooo worth it!
Crumbly Goodness Awaits!
Let me share some of my favorite tips and variations. If you want to spice things up a bit, you could add chocolate chips to the batter or even sprinkle some chopped nuts on top before baking! If you’re feeling adventurous, try swapping out the food coloring for a natural beet juice; it’s so fun to experiment!
These muffins are perfect for brunch, a coffee date, or an after-school snack. And don’t even get me started on how good they smell while baking—it’s basically pure happiness!
You totally need to try these Red Velvet Muffins with Cream Cheese Filling. I promise you, the joy on your face when you take that first bite will be unmatched. Plus, I’d love to hear how your muffins turned out—so don’t forget to come back and share your experience! Happy baking!
