Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Why Make This Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is not just a dessert; it’s a celebration. This classic treat boasts a striking red hue that instantly brings joy and excitement to any occasion. It’s light and moist, with flavors that are simply divine. The gentle hint of cocoa paired with the tangy cream cheese frosting creates a delightful balance, making each bite a luxurious experience. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, or just indulging in some self-care, this cake is bound to become a favorite. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make, ensuring that you’re the star of the show with minimal effort.

How to Make Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Creating this stunning Red Velvet Cake may sound challenging, but it’s quite simple! Start by preheating your oven and preparing your cake pans. Then, mix the dry ingredients and combine them with the wet ingredients to create a smooth batter. Dividing the batter among the pans yields perfectly shaped layers for stacking. Once baked to fluffy perfection, the layers cool, ready to be enveloped in swirls of cream cheese frosting that add a deliciously rich and tangy touch. The result? A gorgeous cake that not only looks fabulous but tastes heavenly!

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 ¼ tsp baking soda
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
• 2 eggs (room temperature)
• 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp red gel food coloring
• 2 cups unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
• 7 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare three 7-inch cake pans by greasing and lining them with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt until well combined.
3. In another bowl, mix the vegetable oil, room temperature eggs, buttermilk, vanilla extract, white vinegar, and red gel food coloring. Stir until smooth.
4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until fully combined and smooth.
5. Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the cake layers spring back when lightly touched.
7. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. In a large bowl, beat the room temperature butter and cream cheese until creamy. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt and beat until fluffy.
9. Once the layers are cool, level them with a knife if needed. Stack the layers with frosting in between and apply a crumb coat. Chill for 30 minutes.
10. Frost the outer layer of the cake and decorate as desired.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (1 slice, assuming 12 slices total):

• Calories: 540
• Total Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg
• Sodium: 370 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 63 g
• Dietary Fiber: 1 g
• Sugars: 46 g
• Protein: 5 g

How to Serve Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This beautiful cake is perfect for various occasions. Serve it at birthday parties, holiday gatherings, or just as an indulgent treat after dinner. Pair it with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk to enhance its rich flavors. For added elegance, garnish the cake with fresh berries or chocolate shavings. You can also serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a heavenly combination.

How to Store Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

To store your Red Velvet Cake, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator where it will last for about 5 days. Before serving leftovers, allow it to come to room temperature for the best texture and flavor. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze individual slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. It will stay good in the freezer for up to 2 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to enjoy it again!

Expert Tips for Perfect Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensuring your eggs, buttermilk, and cream cheese are at room temperature helps create a smoother batter and better frosting consistency.
• Don’t Skip the Vinegar: The vinegar enhances the red color and adds moisture, which is essential for achieving the perfect texture.
• Gel Food Coloring: Opt for gel over liquid food coloring as it provides more color without adding excess liquid to the batter.
• Chill Between Layers: Chilling the cake after applying the crumb coat helps set the frosting and makes it easier to frost the outer layer without crumbs mixing in.

Delicious Variations

• Chocolate Red Velvet Cake: For a richer flavor, increase the cocoa powder to 4 tbsp for a chocolatey twist.
• Nutty Addition: Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for a delightful crunch.
• Layered Cupcakes: Use the same batter to make cupcakes; bake for about 20-22 minutes. Top with cream cheese frosting for a cute dessert option.
• Gluten-Free Version: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?
  Yes, but gel has a more vibrant color without changing the liquids in your batter. If you use liquid food coloring, you’ll need to adjust the other liquid ingredients accordingly.

• What can I substitute for buttermilk?
  If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by mixing 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before use.

• Is it better to bake the cake layers in advance?
  Yes! You can bake your cake layers a day ahead and keep them wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature. This helps them stay moist and makes it easier to frost them later.

Conclusion

This Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a true crowd-pleaser, combining visual appeal with incredible flavor. It’s simple to make, perfect for various occasions, and sure to impress anyone who tastes it. The rich texture of the cake paired with the luscious cream cheese frosting is simply irresistible. Dive into this delightful recipe, and share it with those you love. Don’t forget to let me know how yours turns out—I’d love to hear from you! Happy baking!

Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This classic red velvet cake is moist, fluffy, and paired with a rich cream cheese frosting, making it a perfect dessert for any celebration.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 12 slices

Course: Cake, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 540

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Dry Ingredients

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups granulated sugar
• 1.25 tsp baking soda
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp salt adjust to taste

Wet Ingredients

• 1.5 cups vegetable oil
• 2 units eggs (room temperature)
• 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp red gel food coloring

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 2 cups unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
• 7 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 0.5 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare three 7-inch cake pans by greasing and lining them with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt until well combined.
3. In another bowl, mix the vegetable oil, room temperature eggs, buttermilk, vanilla extract, white vinegar, and red gel food coloring. Stir until smooth.
4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until fully combined and smooth.
5. Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans.

Baking

1. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the cake layers spring back when lightly touched.
2. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Frosting

1. In a large bowl, beat the room temperature butter and cream cheese until creamy.
2. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt and beat until fluffy.

Assembly

1. Once the layers are cool, level them with a knife if needed.
2. Stack the layers with frosting in between and apply a crumb coat. Chill for 30 minutes.
3. Frost the outer layer of the cake and decorate as desired.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature ingredients. Chilling the cake after applying the crumb coat helps set the frosting and makes it easier to frost the outer layer. Variations include adding nuts or using as cake for cupcakes.