Description

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these festive Green Velvet Cupcake Shamrocks! Soft, moist cupcakes with a hint of cocoa, topped with rich cream cheese frosting and shamrock-themed decorations. Easy to make and perfect for parties!

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 ½ cups granulated sugar

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup buttermilk
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 tsp green food coloring (gel preferred)

Frosting Ingredients:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Green sprinkles or shamrock-shaped candies for decoration

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with green or festive liners.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar:
Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
Add Wet Ingredients:
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla extract, vinegar, and green food coloring until evenly mixed.
Combine:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Mix until just combined — don’t overmix!
Bake:
Spoon batter into liners, filling each about ⅔ full. Bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
Make Frosting:
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla, and beat until fluffy.
Frost and Decorate:
Pipe or spread frosting onto cooled cupcakes. Decorate with green sprinkles or shamrock-shaped candies.

Notes

Use gel food coloring: It creates a richer, more vibrant green without thinning the batter.

Room temperature ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature for a smooth batter.

Don’t overmix: Overmixing can lead to dense cupcakes — stir until just combined.

Cool completely: Frost only when cupcakes are fully cooled to avoid melting the frosting.

Extra flair: Add edible glitter or gold sprinkles for a magical touch.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes