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Red Velvet Cake

Homemade Red Velvet Cake Recipe

  • Author: Louna
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12 slices 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This homemade red velvet cake recipe is soft, buttery, and irresistibly moist with a hint of cocoa and a tangy twist from buttermilk. Topped with silky cream cheese frosting, it’s the ultimate showstopper for birthdays, holidays, or just because you’re craving something sweet. The rich red color, paired with a velvet-soft crumb, makes this cake both stunning and delicious. Whether you’re a first-time baker or a seasoned pro, this red velvet cake delivers bakery-style results every time. It’s the perfect dessert to impress family and friends, and yes—it tastes as good as it looks!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (360g) cake flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tbsp (10g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (240ml) canola or vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature (separated)
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp distilled white vinegar
  • 1–2 tsp red gel food coloring
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • For Cream Cheese Frosting:
  • 16 oz (452g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened
  • ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 5 cups (600g) confectioners’ sugar
  • 1½ tsp pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Using a mixer, cream butter and sugar together until fluffy.
  4. Add oil, egg yolks, vanilla, vinegar, and food coloring. Mix well.
  5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in 2-3 batches, alternating with buttermilk.
  6. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites until soft peaks form. Gently fold into the batter to maintain a light texture.
  7. Divide batter evenly between the pans and bake for 30–32 minutes. Check with a toothpick for doneness.
  8. Let cakes cool completely before frosting.
  9. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add sugar, vanilla, and salt. Mix until fluffy.
  10. Frost and layer the cake, smoothing the sides with a spatula. Chill before slicing for best results.

Notes

  • You can substitute beet powder for a natural food coloring alternative. For an extra moist red velvet cake, make sure to not overbake and always use room temperature ingredients.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert, Cake
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 490
  • Sugar: 45g
  • Sodium: 320mg
  • Fat: 27g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 60g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: red velvet cake, red velvet cake recipe, homemade velvet cake, cream cheese frosting cake, southern red velvet, moist red cake, cocoa velvet cake

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Find it online: https://www.recipeslouna.com/red-velvet-cake/