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Red velvet cheesecake cupcakes

By: Jen Bedloe
Former head of food delicious.

Published: 11 Feb 21
Updated: 18 Mar 24

Can’t choose between creamy cheesecake or fluffy cupcakes? Why not have both at the same time. These red velvet cheesecake cupcakes are the perfect indulgent treat for birthdays or Valentine’s Day.

Or, how about giving a slice of this heart-shaped fudgy chocolate brownie cake to all the special people in your life?

Easy
February 2021

Test kitchen approved

Makes 18
Hands-on time 25 min, oven time 20-25 min, plus cooling

Or, how about giving a slice of this heart-shaped fudgy chocolate brownie cake to all the special people in your life?

Nutrition: Per Cupcake

Calories: 356kcals
Fat: 16.4g (5.5g saturated)
Protein: 6.1g
Carbohydrates: 45.5g (29.5g sugars)
Fibre: 1.2g
Salt: 0.7g

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Ingredients

For the cheesecake filling

230g full-fat cream cheese (we used Philadelphia)
100g icing sugar
1 medium free-range egg
½ tsp vanilla bean paste
Squeeze of lemon juice
4 tbsp plain flour

For the red velvet cake

310g plain flour
310g caster sugar
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp fine sea salt
2 tbsp cocoa powder
35ml cooled espresso coffee
200ml buttermilk (see tip)
220ml vegetable oil
3 medium free-range eggs
1 tsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
1 tsp red food colouring (we used ProGel)

For the icing

300g full-fat cream cheese
6 tbsp icing sugar

You’ll also need

2 x 12-hole muffin tin lined with paper cases (double up the cases to help the paper keep its shape and colour)

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Method

Heat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4. For the cheesecake filling, combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl until smooth – be careful not to over-mix. Set aside (see tip).
Make the cake in a separate large bowl. Mix the plain flour, caster sugar, bicarb, salt and cocoa powder. In a large jug, whisk the espresso, buttermilk, oil, eggs, vinegar, vanilla bean paste and food colouring. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients, then mix together quickly.
Fill each paper case between a third and a half full of cake mixture, then add 1 heaped tbsp of the cheesecake mix, being careful to leave some cake batter showing at the edges (see tip). Top with the remaining red velvet batter to conceal the cheesecake mix, then bake for 20-25 minutes.

Cool the cupcakes in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Mix the icing ingredients until smooth and combined, then spoon on top of the cakes and use the back of a spoon or small palette knife to create an attractive swirl. Alternatively, put the icing in a bag and pipe it onto the cupcakes for a more uniform look.

Recipe from February 2021 Issue

Nutrition

Nutrition: per serving

Calories: 356kcals
Fat: 16.4g (5.5g saturated)
Protein: 6.1g
Carbohydrates: 45.5g (29.5g sugars)
Fibre: 1.2g
Salt: 0.7g

delicious. tips

Buttermilk is available from larger supermarkets. If you can’t find it, mix 185ml whole milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice, then set aside for 2 minutes to thicken slightly before using.

For extra precision and speed, we put our cake mixtures in separate piping bags and piped the filling into the cases.
Store the cupcakes in an airtight container for 3-4 hours in the fridge. Alternatively, freeze un-iced cakes, well wrapped, for up to 1 month.