Red velvet marble cupcakes blend two batters into one striking bake. You get gentle cocoa notes, a hint of tang, and that signature red swirl. I bake these when I want a dessert that looks festive but stays approachable for a home kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Beautiful marble swirl in every cupcake
• Soft, tender crumb
• Balanced cocoa flavor
• Simple pantry ingredients
• Great for parties and holidays

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Total Time: 43 minutes

Ingredients

Vanilla Batter

• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup buttermilk
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Red Velvet Batter

• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp red food coloring
• 1 tsp white vinegar

Swap: Use gel food coloring for deeper color.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and line a cupcake pan.
2. Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
3. Stir in buttermilk, oil, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Divide batter in half. Mix cocoa, food coloring, and vinegar into one half.
5. Spoon both batters into liners and swirl gently with a toothpick.
6. Bake 16–18 minutes. Cool before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Top with cream cheese frosting or dust lightly with powdered sugar. Serve with coffee, tea, or cold milk.

Quick Tips or Variations

• Swirl lightly to keep clear marble lines.
• Add mini chocolate chips to the red velvet batter.
• Pipe frosting in a simple swirl for clean presentation.

FAQs

How do you make red velvet marble cupcakes from scratch?

Prepare a base batter, color half red with cocoa, then swirl both before baking.

What makes red velvet cupcakes different from chocolate cupcakes?

Red velvet uses less cocoa and includes vinegar and coloring for texture and color.

How do you swirl batter for marble cupcakes?

Drag a toothpick through both batters in gentle circles.

Can red velvet marble cupcakes be made ahead of time?

Yes. Bake one day ahead and store covered at room temperature.

Conclusion

Red velvet marble cupcakes bring classic flavor and eye-catching color together in one easy bake. They suit celebrations or everyday treats with equal ease.

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