Moist Red Velvet Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe

Dreamy Red Velvet Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe: Sweet Bites Joy!

Sweet mornings bloom with these irresistible red velvet cream cheese muffins that blend decadent flavor into every single bite.

Deep crimson swirls dance through soft, tender batter creating a stunning breakfast treat.

Cream cheese adds luxurious richness to these delightful muffins, making them impossible to resist.

Each muffin promises a velvety texture that melts perfectly on your tongue.

The recipe brings together classic Southern charm and modern bakery elegance in one delectable package.

Bakers of all skill levels can craft these beautiful muffins with simple ingredients and straightforward steps.

Prepare to surprise and delight everyone at your breakfast table with this showstopping morning indulgence.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 202 kcal

Servings: 13

What’s Inside Red Velvet Cream Cheese Muffins

For Cream Cheese Filling:
  • Cream Cheese: Silky base that creates a luscious, tangy center with rich, velvety texture.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps balance the cream cheese's tanginess.
  • Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, aromatic depth and enhances overall flavor profile.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structural foundation and tender crumb for the muffins.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers signature deep red velvet chocolate undertones.
  • Baking Powder: Ensures light, airy rise and soft muffin texture.
  • Salt: Amplifies and balances other flavors in the recipe.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to muffin's rich, moist consistency.
  • Vegetable Oil: Creates moisture and helps achieve tender, soft crumb.
  • Buttermilk: Adds tangy flavor and helps activate baking powder for better rise.
  • Red Food Coloring: Provides classic vibrant red velvet appearance.
  • Vinegar: Reacts with baking powder to create additional lift and tender texture.

Tools To Bake Red Velvet Cream Cheese Muffins

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients thoroughly.
  • Electric mixer or whisk: Perfect for whipping cream cheese filling to smooth, creamy texture.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure delicious muffin success.
  • Muffin pan: Standard 12-cup pan creates perfectly shaped red velvet treats.
  • Rubber spatula: Helps scrape batter and filling, ensuring no tasty bits are left behind.
  • Cooling rack: Allows muffins to cool evenly without getting soggy bottoms.
  • Piping bag or zip-top bag (optional): Helpful for neatly filling muffins with cream cheese mixture.

Steps To Make Red Velvet Cream Cheese Muffins

  • Whip Up Cream Cheese Filling

Grab your mixing bowl and blend cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until silky smooth. Let this delightful mixture hang out while you prepare the rest of the magic.

  • Mix Dry Ingredients

Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and a pinch of salt in a spacious bowl. Stir these powdery friends together until they’re well acquainted.

  • Create Wet Ingredient Blend

In another bowl, whisk together eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, and a splash of red food coloring. Watch as the liquid transforms into a vibrant crimson swirl.

  • Marry Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Don’t overmix – you want a tender, loving embrace, not a wrestling match.

  • Fill Muffin Cups

Scoop batter into lined muffin tins, filling each about halfway. Then dollop a spoonful of cream cheese filling in the center of each muffin.

  • Top and Bake

Cover the cream cheese with remaining batter. Slide the pan into a preheated oven and bake until a toothpick comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs.

  • Cool and Enjoy

Let the muffins rest in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. These beauties are best enjoyed warm, with a cup of coffee or tea.

Red Velvet Muffin Tips And Ideas

  • Cream Cheese Swirl Technique: Gently fold the cream cheese mixture into the muffin batter using a spatula, creating beautiful marbled swirls without overmixing for a perfect texture.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cream cheese filling and dry muffin ingredients separately the night before, then quickly combine and bake in the morning for fresh, warm muffins.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy these delightful muffins without compromising taste.
  • Freezer-Friendly Hack: Wrap individual muffins in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave for a quick treat.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and use plant-based milk to create a vegan-friendly version of these decadent red velvet muffins.

Serving Red Velvet Cream Cheese Muffins Warm

  • Decadent Cream Cheese Filling Strategy: Swirl the creamy mixture into the center of each muffin before baking, creating a delightful surprise in every bite.
  • Elegant Brunch Companion: Serve these muffins alongside fresh berries, a light yogurt parfait, or as part of a weekend breakfast spread with coffee or tea.
  • Dessert Transformation Trick: Warm the muffins slightly and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent after-dinner treat that elevates the classic red velvet flavor.
  • Gifting Gourmet Option: Package these muffins in cute bakery boxes with a ribbon, making them a perfect homemade gift for friends, teachers, or weekend hostess presents.

Storing Red Velvet Cream Cheese Muffins With Care

  • Sweet Stash Strategy: Store these muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their soft, fluffy texture and prevent drying out.
  • Chilled Delight Technique: Refrigerate muffins in a sealed container for extended freshness, lasting up to 5 days. Let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to restore their original softness.
  • Freezer-Friendly Approach: Individually wrap each muffin in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for quick enjoyment.
  • Smart Serving Suggestion: Separate cream cheese filling layers with parchment paper when stacking muffins to prevent sticking and maintain their beautiful presentation during storage.
Print
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Moist Red Velvet Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe

Moist Red Velvet Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe


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4.7 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Indulgent red velvet cream cheese muffins blend Southern charm with rich, velvety textures. Creamy filling and crimson cake create a delightful breakfast or dessert that will satisfy sweet cravings perfectly.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (25g) cocoa powder (unsweetened)
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp red food coloring
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a muffin tin with paper liners, ensuring even spacing for uniform baking.
  2. Cream Cheese Filling: Whip cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until silky smooth, creating a luxurious core for the red velvet muffins.
  3. Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt together, eliminating potential lumps and creating a refined dry mixture.
  4. Wet Ingredients: Blend vegetable oil, buttermilk, food coloring, and eggs until a consistent crimson mixture forms, incorporating all components seamlessly.
  5. Batter Assembly: Fold wet ingredients into dry mixture with minimal stirring, maintaining a light and airy texture that prevents dense muffin consistency.
  6. Filling and Baking: Layer batter halfway in each liner, add a dollop of cream cheese filling in the center, then cover completely with remaining batter, ensuring the filling is fully enclosed.
  7. Baking Process: Place muffin tin in preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge with minimal moist crumbs.
  8. Cooling and Serving: Remove from oven and let muffins rest in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing the structure to set and flavors to develop.

Notes

  • Prevent Lumpy Batter: Sift dry ingredients thoroughly to eliminate clumps and ensure a smooth, silky texture in your red velvet muffins.
  • Gentle Mixing Technique: Fold wet and dry ingredients minimally to avoid overworking the batter, which can create tough, dense muffins with a heavy crumb.
  • Cream Cheese Placement: Use a small spoon to center the cream cheese filling precisely, creating an even, delightful surprise in every bite.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring eggs, buttermilk, and cream cheese to room temperature for better incorporation and a more consistent muffin texture.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 202
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 26g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 43mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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