Red Velvet Cake (Printable)

A moist, velvety cocoa-flavored cake with tangy notes and luxurious cream cheese frosting, perfect for celebrations.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cake Components

01 - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
06 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
09 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
10 - 1 teaspoon white vinegar
11 - 1 ounce red food coloring
12 - ½ cup vegetable oil

→ Cream Cheese Frosting

13 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
14 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
15 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
16 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
17 - Pinch of salt

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
02 - Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - Beat sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
04 - Mix in oil, vanilla extract, and vinegar until incorporated.
05 - Combine buttermilk and red food coloring in a small bowl.
06 - Add dry ingredients to wet mixture in three parts, alternating with buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
07 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 28-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
08 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
09 - Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, beating until light and fluffy.
10 - Spread frosting layer between cake layers once completely cooled. Frost top and sides of cake evenly.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Authentic Southern Charm: Experience a true American classic with its distinct flavor and velvety texture.
  • Luxurious Frosting: The tangy, sweet cream cheese frosting perfectly complements the subtle cocoa notes of the cake.
  • Showstopper Appeal: Its vibrant red color makes it a stunning centerpiece for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions.
  • Moist & Flavorful: A carefully balanced recipe ensures a moist crumb with a hint of tang in every bite.
02 -
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: For a smooth, well-emulsified batter, ensure your butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature before you begin.
  • Do Not Overmix: Mix the batter only until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense, tough cake rather than a tender, velvety crumb.
  • Cool Completely: Always allow the cake layers to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting. Applying frosting to a warm cake will cause it to melt and slide off.
  • Sift for Smoothness: Sifting the dry ingredients for the cake and the powdered sugar for the frosting is a crucial step for achieving a perfectly smooth, lump-free texture.
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