Red Velvet Cake Recipe
Red Velvet Cake Recipe
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Red Velvet Cake Recipe
This red velvet cake recipe offers a decadent dessert with a soft, moist texture, a beautiful red hue, and a delicious cream cheese frosting that perfectly balances the cake’s rich flavor. Whether you’re preparing it for a special occasion or simply want to enjoy a treat, this red velvet cake recipe is sure to impress. With simple ingredients and easy to follow steps, you can recreate this classic Southern dessert at home.
Description
Red velvet cake is a beloved classic that combines a subtle cocoa flavor with a vibrant red color. Originating in the southern United States, red velvet cake became a popular dessert for weddings, birthdays, and holidays. The cake’s signature crimson color comes from the combination of cocoa powder, vinegar, and buttermilk, while the addition of cream cheese frosting enhances its rich flavor. This red velvet cake recipe delivers an incredibly moist cake with a tender crumb, complemented by the perfect tangy and sweet frosting.
The key to making the perfect red velvet cake lies in the balance of ingredients. The cake’s base is made from a combination of all purpose flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda, which work together to create the ideal texture. Buttermilk gives the cake its moistness and slight tang, while the vinegar helps activate the baking soda to create the light, airy texture. Red food coloring is what gives this cake its vibrant color, though you can adjust the intensity of the red hue based on your preference.
The cream cheese frosting for red velvet cake is what truly elevates the dessert. The tanginess of the cream cheese pairs beautifully with the richness of the cake, and the smooth, fluffy texture of the frosting adds a lovely contrast to the soft, crumbly cake. The frosting can be easily adjusted to your preferred level of sweetness and consistency.
This red velvet cake recipe is perfect for any occasion, from casual get togethers to extravagant celebrations. It can be baked as a single layer cake, a multi layer cake, or even in cupcake form. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, this recipe is approachable and yields consistently excellent results. Once you try this red velvet cake recipe, you’ll want to make it for every special event.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring (gel or liquid)
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream (if needed for thinning)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar, and eggs until smooth. Add in the vanilla extract, buttermilk, and red food coloring. Mix until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
- Activate the Vinegar:
- In a small bowl, mix the white vinegar with a teaspoon of water. Fold this mixture into the batter. The vinegar helps activate the baking soda, giving the cake its signature light texture.
- Bake the Cake:
- Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake:
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and mix until the frosting is fluffy and smooth. If the frosting is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of heavy cream to reach your desired consistency.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Once the cakes are completely cool, spread a layer of cream cheese frosting on top of one cake layer. Place the second layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining cream cheese frosting.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Slice and serve your delicious red velvet cake. Enjoy!
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Red Velvet Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring gel or liquid
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream if needed for thinning
Notes
- Food Coloring: If you prefer a deeper red hue, feel free to increase the amount of food coloring used. Gel food coloring is recommended as it provides a richer color without altering the texture of the cake.
- Buttermilk Substitute: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by mixing 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar with 1 cup of regular milk. Let it sit for a few minutes to curdle before using.
- Storage: Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cake may also be frozen for up to 2 months if wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil.
- Decorating: For an extra touch, you can sprinkle cake crumbs around the base of the frosted cake for added decoration, or use red sprinkles for a festive look.
