Red Velvet Cake Minis Recipe

Dreamy Red Velvet Cake Minis Recipe for Sweet Celebrations

Crafting delectable red velvet cake minis brings pure culinary magic right into your kitchen.

Sweet memories of childhood desserts dance through this charming recipe.

Miniature treats always spark joy and conversation among guests.

Soft, velvety textures combine with rich cocoa undertones to create something extraordinary.

Baking these delightful bite-sized confections requires minimal effort but delivers maximum pleasure.

Each tiny cake promises a luxurious experience that feels both elegant and playful.

You will absolutely adore how these little desserts become instant crowd-pleasers at any gathering.

Prepare to make something truly spectacular that everyone will request again and again.

Ingredients to Whip Up Red Velvet Minis

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Base for the cake's structure, providing essential texture and stability.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with caramelization and tenderness.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.
  • Cocoa Powder: Gives a subtle chocolate flavor and deep red color.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Buttermilk, Oil, Egg: Primary moisture and binding agents for a soft, moist cake.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cake's flavor profile.
  • White Vinegar: Activates baking soda and helps create a tender crumb.
  • Red Food Coloring: Provides the signature vibrant red color.
Frosting Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese, Butter: Create a rich, creamy base for the frosting.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the cream cheese frosting.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle flavor to the frosting.
Garnish:
  • Red Velvet Cake Crumbs, White Chocolate Shavings: Optional decorative toppings for extra visual appeal and texture.

Instructions for Red Velvet Mini Cake Success

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Grab a mini muffin tin and either grease it lightly or line with adorable cupcake liners.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Granulated sugar
  • Baking soda
  • Cocoa powder
  • Salt

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine and mix thoroughly:
  • Buttermilk
  • Vegetable oil
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract
  • White vinegar
  • Red food coloring

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir until batter becomes smooth and vibrant red.

Step 5: Fill Muffin Cups

Carefully spoon batter into mini muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.

Step 6: Bake Mini Cakes

Place tin in preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick- it should come out clean.

Step 7: Cool Completely

Remove from oven and let mini cakes cool entirely on a wire rack.

Step 8: Whip Up Cream Cheese Frosting

In a mixing bowl, beat together:
  • Cream cheese
  • Butter

Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing.

Step 9: Finish Frosting

Stir in vanilla extract and beat until frosting becomes silky smooth.

Step 10: Decorate Mini Cakes

Pipe or spread cream cheese frosting over cooled mini cakes.

Step 11: Add Finishing Touches

Sprinkle with red velvet cake crumbs or delicate white chocolate shavings.

Step 12: Serve and Enjoy

Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to devour these delightful mini treats.

Pro Tips for Soft and Moist Red Velvet Minis

  • Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for ingredients to ensure consistent texture and flavor in your mini red velvet cakes.
  • Avoid Overmixing: Gently fold wet and dry ingredients together to prevent tough, dense mini cakes with a rubbery texture.
  • Color Check: Add red food coloring gradually to achieve the perfect vibrant red hue without compromising the cake's taste.
  • Temperature Matters: Let cream cheese and butter soften at room temperature for smoother, lump-free frosting that spreads easily.
  • Quick Cooling Trick: Place mini cakes on a wire rack immediately after baking to prevent soggy bottoms and maintain their delicate texture.

Red Velvet Minis: How to Store and Rewarm

  • Store leftover red velvet cake minis in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping them fresh and moist.
  • Wrap each mini cake individually with plastic wrap before placing in the container to prevent drying out.
  • Place cooled mini cakes in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper, and freeze for up to 2 months.
  • Thaw frozen mini cakes at room temperature for 30 minutes, or warm briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness.

Best Flavors to Serve with Cake Minis

  • Brew a chilled Southern-style sweet tea that complements the cake's rich cocoa flavor, creating a classic dessert experience with refreshing notes.
  • Pop open a light, slightly sweet champagne or prosecco to elevate the mini cakes, adding a touch of elegance and bubbly sophistication to each bite.
  • Prepare a smooth, medium-roast coffee with hints of caramel or vanilla that beautifully balances the cream cheese frosting and deep red velvet taste.
  • Serve alongside a fresh raspberry or strawberry puree that cuts through the cake's richness, providing a bright, tangy contrast to the sweet mini desserts.

Twist Ideas for Red Velvet Mini Cakes

  • Gluten-Free Red Velvet Minis: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
  • Vegan Red Velvet Bites: Substitute egg with flax egg, use plant-based buttermilk, swap butter and cream cheese for vegan alternatives, and select dairy-free food coloring.
  • Low-Sugar Red Velvet Mini Cakes: Replace regular sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reduce food coloring amount, and use low-fat cream cheese for frosting.
  • Dairy-Free Red Velvet Treats: Use coconut milk instead of buttermilk, replace butter with coconut oil, and select dairy-free cream cheese alternative for frosting.

Questions About Red Velvet Minis? Here’s Help

  • What gives red velvet cake its distinctive color?

The rich red color comes from a combination of cocoa powder and red food coloring, which creates the cake’s signature vibrant appearance.

  • Why do the recipe instructions include vinegar?

Vinegar helps activate the baking soda, creating a more tender and light texture in the mini cakes by reacting with the other ingredients.

  • Can I make these mini cakes without food coloring?

Yes, you can omit the food coloring, but the cakes will have a more traditional chocolate brown color instead of the classic red velvet look.

  • What makes the cream cheese frosting so creamy?

The combination of softened cream cheese and butter, along with gradually added powdered sugar, creates a smooth and rich frosting that perfectly complements the red velvet flavor.

Reasons to Love Red Velvet Cake Minis

  • These red velvet cake minis are a delightful dessert sensation!
  • Prepare these mini treats in just 30 minutes, making them ideal for spontaneous gatherings or last-minute celebrations.
  • Miniature size ensures everyone gets a perfect portion, eliminating messy cake cutting and appealing to both kids and adults.
  • Elegant enough for bridal showers, birthdays, or holiday parties, yet simple enough for casual weekend treats that will impress guests with minimal effort.
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Red Velvet Cake Minis Recipe

Red Velvet Cake Minis Recipe


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4.8 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Miniature red velvet cake delights bring Southern charm to dessert tables with irresistible chocolate and cream cheese allure. Rich crimson layers promise indulgent moments that invite you to savor each delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Primary Ingredients:

  • 1 ¼ cups (160g) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk (or ½ cup milk + ½ teaspoon vinegar)
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil

Flavor and Color Enhancers:

  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon cocoa powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon red food coloring

Frosting and Decoration:

  • 4 ounces (113g) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Red velvet cake crumbs
  • White chocolate shavings (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and prepare a mini muffin tin with non-stick spray or cupcake liners.
  2. Combine dry ingredients including flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to eliminate any potential lumps.
  3. In a separate bowl, blend wet ingredients such as buttermilk, vegetable oil, egg, vanilla extract, white vinegar, and red food coloring until fully incorporated and uniform in color.
  4. Slowly integrate wet mixture into dry ingredients, stirring gently until a smooth, vibrant batter forms without overmixing.
  5. Distribute batter evenly into mini muffin cups, filling each approximately two-thirds full to allow proper rising during baking.
  6. Place muffin tin in preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick that should emerge clean when withdrawn.
  7. Remove from oven and allow mini cakes to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
  8. Create cream cheese frosting by beating cream cheese and butter until light and creamy in texture.
  9. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, mixing consistently to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.
  10. Add vanilla extract and continue beating until frosting reaches desired fluffy texture.
  11. Decorate cooled mini cakes by piping or spreading cream cheese frosting generously on top.
  12. Optionally embellish with red velvet cake crumbs or delicate white chocolate shavings for visual appeal.
  13. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to present and enjoy.

Notes

  • Achieve vibrant red color by using gel food coloring instead of liquid, which provides more intense pigmentation without thinning the batter.
  • Prevent dry mini cakes by carefully measuring ingredients and avoiding overbaking; check doneness at 12 minutes with a toothpick test.
  • Create gluten-free variations by substituting all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring equal measurements and adding xanthan gum for texture stability.
  • Simplify frosting application by transferring cream cheese mixture to a piping bag with a star tip for professional-looking decorative swirls on mini cakes.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 25g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 34g
  • Fiber: <1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
Jamie Granger

Jamie Granger

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

  • Fusion Cuisine Development
  • Recipe Development and Food Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Content Creation
  • Nutrition and Healthy Cooking​

Education

Culinary Institute of America

  • Degree: Associate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasis on flavor development, classic and contemporary culinary techniques, menu design, and global cuisine preparation; combined with food-service management, communication, and finance training; and immersive hands‑on restaurant operations through paid industry internships.

Jamie Granger turns ingredients into memories. With her recipes, she brings a fusion-forward flair to every creation. 

Her dishes reflect the places she’s explored, the chefs she’s learned from, and the deep connection she has to food as a form of expression. 

At Pass and Provision, Jamie develops recipes that balance flavor, health, and beauty, meals that don’t just satisfy your appetite but speak to your curiosity.

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