If you’re looking for the perfect cupcake recipe that’s as beautiful as it is delicious, these Red Velvet Marble Cupcakes are your new go-to! With a tender crumb, rich cocoa notes, and a dreamy swirl of raspberry and cream cheese frosting, every bite is a burst of flavor. Ideal for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or any special occasion!
🧁 Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
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1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
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1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
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1/2 tsp baking soda
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1/4 tsp salt
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1/2 cup buttermilk
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1 tsp white vinegar
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
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3/4 cup granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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Red gel food coloring (as needed)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
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8 oz cream cheese, softened
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
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2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
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1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Raspberry Swirl:
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1/2 cup seedless raspberry preserves or thick raspberry puree
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Red gel food coloring (optional, for a richer swirl)
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake tin with 12 cupcake liners.
Step 2: Dry Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, sift together:
Flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 3: Wet Ingredients
In a separate cup or bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, white vinegar, and vanilla extract.
Step 4: Cream Butter & Sugar
In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Step 5: Add Color & Combine
Mix in enough red gel food coloring to achieve a vibrant red hue. Gradually alternate adding the dry and wet ingredients into the batter, mixing just until incorporated. Do not overmix.
Step 6: Bake
Divide the batter evenly into cupcake liners. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
🎂 Make the Swirled Frosting
Step 7: Cream Cheese Frosting
In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla extract, then gradually mix in the powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 8: Raspberry Swirl
In a small bowl, stir the raspberry preserves. Add a small drop of red gel food coloring for a bold hue (optional).
Step 9: Swirl & Pipe
Spoon the cream cheese frosting into one side of a piping bag and the raspberry swirl into the other side. Pipe a gorgeous two-tone swirl on top of each cooled cupcake.
🕒 Recipe Details
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Prep Time: 25 minutes
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Cook Time: 20 minutes
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Total Time: 45 minutes
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Yield: 12 cupcakes
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Calories: ~340 per cupcake
💡 Tips for Success
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Don’t skip the vinegar! It reacts with the baking soda to give the cupcakes a tender, moist texture.
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For a deeper red color, gel food coloring is more effective than liquid.
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Let the cupcakes cool completely before piping or the frosting may melt.
🌟 Why You’ll Love These Red Velvet Marble Cupcakes
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Moist and fluffy texture
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Rich cocoa and vanilla flavor
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Creamy frosting with a fruity twist
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Stunning two-tone swirl – perfect for photos!
