Description
Red Velvet Cake is a beloved dessert known for its striking red color, subtle cocoa flavor, and rich cream cheese frosting. This cake is perfect for any special occasion like birthdays or weddings, offering a delicious balance of moist texture and tangy sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the sugar and vegetable oil. Beat on medium speed until well combined.
- Add the eggs to the sugar mixture, one at a time, beating after each addition.
- Mix in the red food coloring and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Alternately add the flour mixture and the buttermilk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Stir in the white vinegar.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a layer of frosting on top.
- Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake.
- Decorate as desired and serve.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for the best texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense cake.
- Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
- For a natural color alternative, try using beet juice instead of red food coloring.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 53g
- Sodium: 270mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg