Description
This classic Red Velvet Cake recipe delivers a moist, tender cake with a subtle cocoa flavor and a vibrant red color, topped with a smooth and creamy homemade cream cheese frosting. Perfect for celebrations or any special occasion, this cake combines a rich texture with the tangy sweetness of cream cheese frosting for an irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tbsp red food coloring
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp white vinegar
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder until well combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine vegetable oil, room temperature buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar. Mix until the batter is smooth and uniform in color.
- Combine Batter: Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake light and fluffy.
- Bake Cakes: Divide the batter evenly between two prepared cake pans. Place in a preheated oven and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool for 10 minutes in the pans before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until smooth and fluffy. Stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to enhance flavor.
- Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting over the top. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake evenly. Optionally, garnish with cake crumbs or red sprinkles for decoration.
Notes
- Make sure all wet ingredients are at room temperature to ensure even mixing and a smooth batter.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake texture tender.
- Use cream cheese and butter softened to room temperature for a smooth frosting.
- Allow the cake layers to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- This recipe yields two 9-inch round cake layers.
- The red food coloring gives the cake its signature bright color; however, feel free to adjust the amount based on desired intensity.
