Description
A rich and tender Southern-style red velvet cake layered with luscious cream cheese frosting. This iconic dessert is perfect for celebrations and special moments, delivering bold flavor and visual appeal in every slice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red gel food coloring
- 16 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare cake pans by greasing and flouring or lining with parchment paper.
- In one bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla, then stir in food coloring and vinegar.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and tap gently to release air bubbles.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
- Beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy, gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla until smooth.
- Level cake layers if needed, frost between layers and cover entire cake with frosting. Garnish with cake crumbs if desired.
- Slice and serve. Refrigerate any leftovers.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant red color without altering batter consistency.
- Chill cake layers before frosting to prevent crumbling.
- Store in the fridge for up to 4 days for maximum freshness.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg