Description
Red velvet cake brings luxurious Southern charm to dessert tables with rich cocoa and buttermilk notes. Crimson layers topped with silky cream cheese frosting create an irresistible classic that delights you.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tbsps red food coloring
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (60 g/cup)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and coating two 9-inch round cake pans with a light grease layer.
- Create a dry ingredient blend by whisking flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
- In a separate large bowl, cream sugar and oil until smooth and glossy, then incorporate eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until uniform.
- Whisk buttermilk with vibrant red food coloring to achieve a rich crimson hue.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture and colored buttermilk into the sugar-oil base, alternating between additions and stirring gently to maintain a smooth, consistent batter.
- Evenly distribute the batter between the prepared cake pans, ensuring balanced coverage.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean without wet batter.
- Remove cakes from oven and allow them to cool completely on wire cooling racks, which prevents condensation and maintains the cake’s delicate texture.
- Once fully cooled, frost with classic cream cheese frosting, creating a decadent red velvet cake.
Notes
- Enhance the cake’s richness by using full-fat buttermilk for a more velvety texture and deeper flavor profile.
- Achieve vibrant red color by using gel food coloring instead of liquid, which provides more intense pigmentation without thinning the batter.
- Prevent dry cake by carefully monitoring baking time and avoiding overmixing, which can develop excess gluten and create a tough texture.
- Accommodate dietary needs by substituting gluten-free flour blend and using plant-based cream cheese for a vegan-friendly version of this classic dessert.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 313 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 233 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 3.5 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg