Description

Classic Red Velvet Cake is a timeless showstopper featuring deeply cocoa-flavored velvet layers, a soft, velvety crumb, and a luxurious cream cheese frosting. This celebration-ready dessert stays moist and tender, with a dramatic red hue and elegant finish. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, birthdays, or any special occasion, it shines with beauty and irresistible flavor from slice to slice. A few simple steps yield even layers and a pro-looking finish.

Ingredients

Scale

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cocoa powder
½ tsp salt
1 ½ cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tbsp red food coloring
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp white vinegar

16 oz cream cheese, softened
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract

Optional garnish: sugar-frosted rose petals or red velvet cake crumbs

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans.
In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt.
In another bowl, mix oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar until smooth.
Gradually add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla until fluffy.
Frost the cooled cake layers and decorate with rose petals or crumbs if desired.
Slice and serve for a stunning, classic dessert.

Notes

Let all refrigerated ingredients come to room temperature before whisking for a smoother batter.
Avoid overmixing after adding wet to dry to keep the crumb tender.
For an extra vibrant red, you can increase the red coloring slightly, or use a combination of paste and liquid food coloring.
Chill the frosted cake slightly to help with clean slicing, if desired.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days or freeze slices for longer storage.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/10 of cake)
Calories: Approximately 400 calories per slice
Sugar: Approximately 28 g
Sodium: Approximately 240 mg
Fat: Approximately 22 g
Saturated Fat: Approximately 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: Approximately 52 g
Fiber: Approximately 1 g
Protein: Approximately 6 g
Cholesterol: Approximately 60 mg

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