St. Patricks Day Green Velvet (Printable format)

Festive green velvet cupcakes with cocoa and silky cream cheese frosting for a flavorful treat.

# What You Need:

→ Green Velvet Cupcakes

01 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
09 - 1/4 cup sour cream
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11 - 1 tablespoon green gel food coloring
12 - 1 teaspoon white vinegar

→ Cream Cheese Frosting

13 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
14 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
15 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
16 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
17 - Pinch of salt

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
05 - Blend in buttermilk, sour cream, vanilla extract, green food coloring, and vinegar until combined.
06 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
07 - Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each approximately two-thirds full.
08 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean.
09 - Cool cupcakes in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
11 - Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, beating until fluffy and well combined.
12 - Once cupcakes are completely cool, apply cream cheese frosting using a piping bag or spatula. Decorate with green sprinkles if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Perfectly moist texture with a subtle cocoa flavor that isn't overpowering
  • Eye-catching green color makes them ideal for St. Patrick's Day celebrations
  • Silky cream cheese frosting provides the perfect tangy-sweet contrast
  • Easy to make with straightforward steps and common ingredients
  • Impressive presentation that looks bakery-quality but is simple enough for home bakers
02 -
  • Use gel food coloring instead of liquid for a deeper, more vibrant green without adding extra moisture
  • Bring all dairy ingredients to room temperature for easier mixing and better texture
  • Don't overmix the batter once you add the flour—mix just until combined to keep cupcakes tender
  • Cool cupcakes completely before frosting or the cream cheese frosting will melt
  • Sift the powdered sugar for the frosting to avoid lumps and achieve a silky smooth texture
  • For perfectly even cupcakes, use an ice cream scoop to portion the batter
Go Back