Decadent Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is not just a dessert; it’s a celebration of flavor, color, and pure indulgence. Imagine a slice of moist, velvety cake that melts in your mouth, adorned with luscious cream cheese frosting that practically begs you to take another bite. Each forkful dances on your palate, blending subtle cocoa notes with the sweet tang of cream cheese, creating an experience that’s as delightful as it is delicious.

I remember the first time I baked a Red Velvet Cake for my best friend’s birthday. It was a glorious culinary disaster that turned into a beautiful masterpiece! The look on her face when she saw that vibrant red cake was priceless. This dessert is perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or any occasion where you want to impress. Trust me, once you taste it, you’ll be counting down the days until your next excuse to whip one up!

Baking this cake has always brought smiles to my family’s faces, especially when they see the first slice revealed.

Essential Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:

• All-Purpose Flour: Use high-quality flour for the best structure and texture in your cake.

• Cocoa Powder: Opt for unsweetened cocoa powder to provide depth without adding extra sweetness.

• Granulated Sugar: Regular sugar works perfectly for sweetness and moisture balance.

• Vegetable Oil: Oil keeps the cake moist; stick to neutral oils like canola or sunflower.

• Buttermilk: This ingredient adds richness and acidity; you can substitute with milk plus vinegar if needed.

• Eggs: Use large eggs at room temperature for optimal mixing and fluffiness.

• Red Food Coloring: Go for gel coloring for vibrant color without altering the batter’s consistency.

• Baking Soda and Baking Powder: These leavening agents help achieve that perfect rise and fluffy texture.

• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract enhances flavor; skip imitation varieties for better results.

• Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness beautifully in this cake.

• Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese makes the frosting rich and creamy—no low-fat substitutes here!

• Powdered Sugar: This sweetener dissolves easily into frosting, ensuring a smooth finish.

• Butter: Room temperature butter creates a fluffy texture in your cream cheese frosting.

• Lemon Juice (optional): A hint of lemon juice brightens up the cream cheese flavor nicely.

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

How to Make Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Pans: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter or cooking spray to ensure easy release after baking.

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined. This step ensures even distribution of all dry elements.

Create Wet Mixture: In another large bowl, beat together sugar and vegetable oil until combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition before incorporating buttermilk and vanilla extract.

Add Color: Stir in red food coloring until fully mixed. Don’t be shy—this is where that vibrant color comes from! You want it bright enough to pop once baked.

Combine Mixtures: Gradually add dry ingredients into wet mixture while mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix; we want fluffy cake layers!

Bake: Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cakes cool in pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks.

Make Cream Cheese Frosting: While cakes cool down, beat room temperature cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing until creamy perfection forms. Add lemon juice if desired.

Assemble Your Cake: Place one layer of cooled cake on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of frosting on top before placing the second layer on top. Finish by frosting the sides and top as generously as you wish!

And there you have it—a stunning Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting ready to steal the show! Enjoy every scrumptious bite!

Perfecting the Cooking Process

Start by preparing your ingredients in advance, then mix the wet ingredients before folding in the dry ones for a smooth batter. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Add Your Touch

Feel free to experiment by adding chocolate chips or nuts into the batter. You can also substitute buttermilk with yogurt if you’re in a pinch, making it uniquely yours.

Storing & Reheating

Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze slices and reheat gently in the microwave when ready to enjoy.

Baking this Red Velvet Cake always brings back memories of my grandmother’s kitchen, where I learned that love is the secret ingredient for any dessert.

FAQ

What makes red velvet cake red?

The vibrant red color comes from cocoa powder reacting with vinegar and buttermilk.

Can I use another frosting instead of cream cheese?

Yes, buttercream or whipped cream can be excellent alternatives to cream cheese frosting.

How long does red velvet cake last?

When stored properly, it can last up to five days at room temperature.

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Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

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• Author: Jennifer
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: About 12 servings 1x

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Description

Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a stunning dessert that combines moist, velvety cake with tangy cream cheese frosting. This classic recipe is perfect for any celebration, from birthdays to anniversaries. With its rich cocoa flavor and vibrant red color, each slice is a delightful treat that will impress your guests and leave them wanting more. Easy to prepare, this cake is sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire.

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Ingredients

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• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tbsp red food coloring (gel)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt
• 8 oz full-fat cream cheese (room temperature)
• ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, mix oil and sugar until combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in buttermilk and vanilla.
4. Mix in red food coloring until evenly combined.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined; avoid over-mixing.
6. Divide batter between prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans for about 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks.
7. For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar until creamy; mix in lemon juice if desired.
8. Assemble cake by layering with frosting between the layers and covering the top and sides.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 32g
• Sodium: 230mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 52g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 60mg