Red Velvet Marble Cupcakes – Swirled, Stunning, and Delicious

Red Velvet Marble Cupcakes are as beautiful as they are delicious. With their striking swirls of classic red velvet and rich vanilla cake, these cupcakes deliver the best of both worlds—lightly cocoa-flavored velvet paired with fluffy vanilla. Topped with a creamy frosting, they’re perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any time you want a dessert that wows both in flavor and appearance.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Eye-Catching Swirls: Each cupcake is unique and beautiful.
Two Flavors in One: A blend of red velvet richness and classic vanilla.
Soft & Moist: Tender crumb with just the right amount of cocoa.
Perfect for Celebrations: Great for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or parties.

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp red food coloring

For the Frosting (Optional):

• 8 oz light cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners.

2. Make the Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in buttermilk, vanilla, vinegar, and red food coloring. Slowly mix dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.

3. Create the Marble Effect
Spoon a little red velvet batter into each cupcake liner. Add a spoonful of plain vanilla batter (reserve about ¼ cup of batter before adding cocoa and food coloring to keep plain). Swirl gently with a toothpick or skewer to create a marbled effect.

4. Bake
Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.

5. Frost
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until fluffy. Frost cooled cupcakes and garnish with sprinkles or cocoa dusting if desired.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 190
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fat: 8g
Protein: 3g
Fiber: 1g

Tips for Success

• Don’t Overmix: Swirl the batters lightly for a defined marble look.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Helps batter mix smoothly and evenly.
• Use Gel Food Coloring: Gives a vibrant red without thinning the batter.
• Chill the Frosting: A short chill helps it hold shape better when piping.

Why This Recipe Works

The combination of cocoa-kissed red velvet and sweet vanilla creates a flavor pairing that’s both classic and exciting. The marbling technique makes each cupcake unique and stunning, while cream cheese frosting ties everything together with tangy sweetness.

Red Velvet Marble Cupcakes are a show-stopping dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make. With gorgeous swirls, a tender crumb, and creamy frosting, they’re guaranteed to impress at any celebration. These cupcakes prove that you don’t have to choose between red velvet and vanilla—you can have both in one bite!