Best Red Velvet Cake – Moist and Flavorful Homemade Dessert
Red Velvet Cake is a classic dessert with its deep red color and velvety texture that makes it perfect for special occasions or simply indulging in a delicious homemade treat. With a hint of cocoa, tangy cream cheese frosting, and a moist crumb, this cake is both flavorful and visually striking. Whether you're making it for a holiday, a celebration, or just because, this recipe will guide you through creating a perfect Red Velvet Cake at home.
Ingredients
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For the Cake
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ 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
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For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Prepare the Oven and Pans. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
Mix the Dry Ingredients. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
Combine Wet Ingredients. In another bowl, whisk together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar until well combined.
Mix the Batter. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix to ensure the cake remains tender.
Bake the Cake. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool the Cake. Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until light and fluffy.
Assemble the Cake. Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread an even layer of cream cheese frosting on top. Place the second layer on top, then frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
Serve. Slice and enjoy your rich and moist Red Velvet Cake!
Recipe tips
If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes. A teaspoon of coffee powder can be added to the batter to enhance the cocoa flavor without overpowering the cake. Ensure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature before making the frosting for a smoother texture.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
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