Red Velvet Cream Cheese Crumb Muffins

These muffins are not just for Valentine’s Day! If you’re looking for a delicious, simple, elevated muffin, these are it. For those of you who love red velvet anything, this is the perfect recipe that combines the rich cocoa flavor of red velvet with the tangy, creaminess of that quintessential cream cheese frosting - without all the sugar of a cake or cupcake.

This recipe makes about 13-14 muffins total.

Ingredients for the Muffins:

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 2 cups plain flour

• 2 tbsp cocoa powder

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

• 1 cup buttermilk

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tbsp red food coloring (I use Wilton because it just colors the best without having to use an entire container, or buy a bunch of four-packs of food coloring)

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

• 4 oz cream cheese

• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and line a 12-cup muffin tray with liners.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt).

3. In a separate bowl, mix the oil, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until everything is smooth, and the color has been incorporated throughout the batter.

4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold together until just combined.

5. Scoop the batter into your muffin liners until it reaches about half way, and then set aside for a minute while you beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla together in a small bowl.

6. Add a teaspoon or so of the cream cheese mixture on top, then, using a toothpick, swirl the cream cheese into the batter, leaving some exposed on the top.

7. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the muffin comes out clean.

8. Take one of the baked muffins and crumble it up. Take the crumbles, and add them to the top of each muffin for that crumb effect.

And voila! Delicious Red Velvet Cream Cheese Crumb Muffins that are simple, don’t take very much time, and taste as delicious as they look. Happy baking!