Red Velvet Oreo Cupcakes (Print)
Moist red velvet cupcakes studded with Oreo pieces and crowned with cookies and cream frosting.
# Ingredient List:
→ Cupcake Batter
01 - 1 1/4 cups (160 g) all-purpose flour
02 - 3 tbsp (25 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
04 - 1/4 tsp salt
05 - 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
06 - 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
07 - 1 large egg, room temperature
08 - 1/2 cup (120 ml) buttermilk, room temperature
09 - 1 tbsp red food coloring gel
10 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
11 - 1/2 tsp distilled white vinegar
12 - 10 Oreo cookies, roughly chopped
→ Cream Cheese Oreo Frosting
13 - 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
14 - 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
15 - 2 cups (250 g) powdered sugar, sifted
16 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
17 - 6 Oreo cookies, finely crushed
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the vegetable oil and granulated sugar until combined. Add the egg, buttermilk, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar; mix until smooth.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Gently fold in the roughly chopped Oreo cookies.
05 - Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
06 - Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
07 - Beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until creamy. Add the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla extract; beat until fluffy and smooth. Gently fold in the finely crushed Oreo cookies.
08 - Pipe or spread the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes. Garnish with extra Oreo crumbs if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The cocoa powder paired with red food coloring gives you that classic velvet flavor while the Oreos add an unexpected crunch that catches everyone off guard in the best way.
- Cream cheese frosting loaded with crushed cookies is the kind of combination that makes people close their eyes on the first bite.
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients are not a suggestion, because cold buttermilk meeting room temp batter causes the batter to seize and bake unevenly.
- Gel food coloring is dramatically more effective than liquid, and using liquid will thin your batter and dull the color.
03 -
- Sift the powdered sugar before adding it to the frosting because lumps are nearly impossible to fix once they are in there.
- Chop the Oreos for the batter slightly larger than you think, because they break down during mixing and baking.