St Patricks Green Velvet Cupcakes

Featured in: Sweet Clever Treats

Celebrate with moist green velvet cupcakes bursting with a subtle cocoa touch. These festive treats feature a tender crumb enhanced by buttermilk and sour cream for added richness and moisture. Topped with a silky, smooth cream cheese frosting, they balance sweetness and tang perfectly. Ideal for special occasions or cozy gatherings, these cupcakes bring cheerful color and delightful flavors to any table.

Updated on Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:20:30 GMT
Festive green velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, perfect for St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Pin it
Festive green velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, perfect for St. Patrick's Day celebrations. | smartyskitchen.com

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with these festive green velvet cupcakes that are as delicious as they are vibrant. With a subtle hint of cocoa and a moist, tender crumb, these cupcakes are topped with a silky cream cheese frosting that perfectly balances tanginess and sweetness. Whether you're hosting a party or simply craving a holiday treat, these cupcakes bring a cheerful pop of color and flavor to your table.

Festive green velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, perfect for St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Pin it
Festive green velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, perfect for St. Patrick's Day celebrations. | smartyskitchen.com

What's for Dinner Tonight? 🤔

Stop stressing. Get 10 fast recipes that actually work on busy nights.

Free. No spam. Just easy meals.

These cupcakes bring the luck of the Irish right to your kitchen with their bright green hue and rich flavor. The combination of buttermilk and sour cream keeps the cupcakes tender and moist, while the white vinegar gently reacts with the baking soda for a slight lift. Topping off these treats is a luscious cream cheese frosting that adds a creamy contrast to the cocoa undertones.

Ingredients

Tired of Takeout? 🥡

Get 10 meals you can make faster than delivery arrives. Seriously.

One email. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

  • For the Green Velvet Cupcakes
  • 1 1/4 cups (160 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (25 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) sour cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp green food coloring (gel preferred)
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • For the Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Mix in buttermilk, sour cream, vanilla extract, green food coloring, and vinegar until combined.
6. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
7. Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
8. Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Cool cupcakes in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. For the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
11. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, beating until fluffy and well combined.
12. Once cupcakes are completely cool, frost with cream cheese frosting using a piping bag or spatula. Decorate with green sprinkles if desired.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

Für ein intensiveres Grün empfiehlt es sich, Gel-Lebensmittelfarbe zu verwenden, da diese kräftiger und farbintensiver als flüssige Farben ist. Achten Sie darauf, die grüne Farbe gleichmäßig unter den Teig zu rühren, um eine gleichmäßige Farbe bei jedem Cupcake zu erreichen.

Still Scrolling? You'll Love This 👇

Our best 20-minute dinners in one free pack — tried and tested by thousands.

Trusted by 10,000+ home cooks.

Varianten und Anpassungen

Wer eine frische Note bevorzugt, kann einen Tropfen Minzextrakt zur Glasur geben. Für eine glutenfreie Variante verwenden Sie bitte eine glutenfreie Mehlmischung, die einem Allzweckmehl entspricht, und prüfen die Verträglichkeit aller Zutaten.

Serviervorschläge

Diese Cupcakes passen wunderbar zu einem Glas Irish Coffee oder einfach zu einem erfrischenden Glas Milch. Grün dekorierte Streusel oder essbare Glitzer geben den letzten Schliff für eine festliche Präsentation.

Pin it
| smartyskitchen.com

Freuen Sie sich auf saftige, schokoladige und dennoch knallig grüne Cupcakes, die jedem St. Patrick's Day Fest einen fröhlichen Farbtupfer verleihen. Egal ob zum Teilen mit Freunden oder als süßer Genuss für sich selbst – dieses Rezept ist eine unkomplizierte Möglichkeit, den irischen Feiertag geschmackvoll zu feiern.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What gives the cupcakes their green color?

Gel green food coloring is used to achieve a vibrant green hue, ensuring intense and consistent color without altering the batter's texture.

Can the frosting be made ahead of time?

Yes, the cream cheese frosting can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature and re-whip before frosting for the best texture.

What role does buttermilk play in the batter?

Buttermilk adds moisture and a slight tang, contributing to a tender crumb and helping balance the cocoa's bitterness.

Is it possible to substitute the cocoa powder?

Unsweetened cocoa powder is essential for the signature flavor and color contrast. Dutch-processed cocoa can be used but may slightly alter texture and taste.

How should the cupcakes be stored after frosting?

Store the finished cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the frosting fresh. Let them come to room temperature before serving.

20-Minute Dinner Pack — Free Download 📥

10 recipes, 1 shopping list. Everything you need for a week of easy dinners.

Instant access. No signup hassle.

St Patricks Green Velvet Cupcakes

Moist green velvet cupcakes infused with cocoa and topped with smooth cream cheese frosting.

Prep Time
20 min
Time to Cook
18 min
Overall Time
38 min
Created by Emily Scott


Skill Level Easy

Culinary Roots American

Makes 12 Portions

Diet Details Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll 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

01 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
02 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
03 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
04 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 Pinch of salt

Directions

Step 01

Prepare Baking Equipment: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Step 02

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.

Step 03

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.

Step 04

Incorporate Eggs: Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition to ensure proper incorporation.

Step 05

Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in buttermilk, sour cream, vanilla extract, green gel food coloring, and white vinegar until fully combined.

Step 06

Combine Wet and Dry Components: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated without overmixing.

Step 07

Fill Cupcake Liners: Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each approximately two-thirds full.

Step 08

Bake Cupcakes: Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean.

Step 09

Cool Cupcakes: Allow cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10

Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.

Step 11

Finish Frosting: Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, beating until fluffy and thoroughly combined.

Step 12

Frost and Decorate: Once cupcakes have cooled completely, apply cream cheese frosting using a piping bag or spatula. Garnish with green sprinkles if desired.

You Just Made Something Great 👏

Want more like this? Get my best easy recipes — free, straight to your inbox.

Join 10,000+ home cooks. No spam.

Tools You'll Need

  • Electric mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • 12-cup muffin tin
  • Cupcake liners
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Spatula
  • Piping bag with decorative tip
  • Whisk

Allergy Info

Review each item for allergens and reach out to a healthcare provider if unsure.
  • Contains wheat gluten
  • Contains eggs
  • Contains milk products including butter, buttermilk, sour cream, and cream cheese
  • Verify food coloring labels for potential additional allergens or cross-contamination

Nutrition Info (per portion)

Info for reference only. Always check with your doctor for health guidance.
  • Energy (Calories): 330
  • Fats: 17 g
  • Carbohydrates: 41 g
  • Proteins: 4 g

Cooking Shouldn't Be Hard ❤️

Get a free recipe pack that makes weeknight dinners effortless. Real food, real fast.

Free forever. Unsubscribe anytime.