How To Make Red Velvet Cake
Absolutely! Here’s how to make red velvet cake that’s moist and fluffy, with a signature hint of cocoa and a creamy cream cheese frosting. Let’s get baking!
🎂 Red Velvet Cake Recipe
🕒 Prep Time: 20 mins
🕒 Bake Time: 30 mins
🍽 Serves: 8–10 people
🧾 Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups (310g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cups (360ml) vegetable oil
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temp
- 2 large eggs, room temp
- 2 tbsp (30ml) red food coloring
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 packages (16 oz / 450g) cream cheese, softened
- 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
🍰 Instructions
1. Preheat & Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line with parchment.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a bowl, sift together: flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients
- In a large bowl, beat together oil, sugar, and eggs until fluffy.
- Add buttermilk, vanilla, food coloring, and vinegar. Mix well.
4. Combine
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Bake
- Divide batter between pans and bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
🎂 Make the Frosting
- Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Add vanilla and beat again.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.
🍽️ Assemble
- Once cakes are cool, spread a layer of frosting on top of one cake.
- Place the second cake on top and frost the top and sides.
- Optional: Decorate with cake crumbs or berries.
✅ Tips for Success
- Don’t skip the vinegar – it reacts with the baking soda and helps keep the cake light.
- Use gel red food coloring for a more vibrant color.
- Chill the cake for 30 minutes before slicing for cleaner cuts.
Here is a visual step-by-step guide on how to make red velvet cake:
📸 Image Guide:
📝 Basic Steps (as shown in the image):
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Wet Ingredients:
- Butter + sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, and red food color.
- Combine:
- Alternate between dry ingredients and buttermilk. Add vinegar at the end for a slight tang and perfect texture.
- Bake:
- Pour into pans, bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 25–30 minutes.
- Cool & Frost:
- Use classic cream cheese frosting. Layer and decorate as desired.
🎂 How to Make Red Velvet Cake (With Full Details)
🌟 What Is Red Velvet Cake?
Red velvet cake is a soft, moist, and slightly tangy cake with a vibrant red color and a subtle hint of cocoa. Its signature velvety texture and deep color have made it a timeless favorite—especially paired with a rich cream cheese frosting.
Traditionally made with buttermilk, vinegar, and natural cocoa powder, the cake gets its reddish hue from a chemical reaction. However, most modern versions use red food coloring for a brighter, more intense red.
📝 Ingredients (with Purpose Explained)
🔺 For the Cake:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour – Provides structure
- 1½ cups granulated sugar – Sweetness and moisture
- 1 tsp baking soda – Leavening agent
- 1 tsp salt – Balances sweetness
- 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder – Adds that slight cocoa flavor
- 1½ cups vegetable oil – Makes the cake super moist
- 1 cup buttermilk (room temp) – Adds tanginess and softness
- 2 large eggs (room temp) – Binds ingredients and adds richness
- 2 tbsp red food coloring – Gives the cake its iconic color
- 1 tsp white vinegar – Reacts with baking soda to lift the cake
- 2 tsp vanilla extract – Adds depth of flavor
🧁 For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened) – The creamy tangy base
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened) – For richness
- 4 cups powdered sugar (sifted) – Sweetness and structure
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract – Enhances flavor
- Pinch of salt – Balances the sweetness
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Pans
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour two 9-inch round pans (or line with parchment).
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, sift together: flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk oil and sugar until combined.
- Add eggs, one at a time, then mix in buttermilk, red coloring, vinegar, and vanilla.
Step 4: Combine & Mix
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet, mixing gently until smooth.
- Do not overmix, or the cake may get dense.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
- Divide batter evenly into the pans.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then move to a wire rack.
Step 6: Make the Frosting
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
- Beat until the frosting is light and creamy.
Step 7: Assemble & Frost
- Trim domes from cakes if needed.
- Place one layer on a cake stand, spread frosting on top.
- Add the second layer and frost the entire cake.
💡 Pro Tips
- Room temperature ingredients help the batter mix evenly.
- Want an extra moist cake? Add 1 tsp of mayonnaise to the batter (trust me—it works!).
- Use cake flour instead of all-purpose for a lighter crumb.
- For deeper flavor, add 1 tsp of espresso powder to enhance the cocoa.
🎨 Optional Decorations
- Crumble some leftover cake bits and sprinkle on top.
- Add chocolate shavings, berries, or even edible roses.
- Pipe cream cheese frosting rosettes on the top or edges.
🔁 Variations
- Red Velvet Cupcakes – Bake in liners for 18–20 minutes.
- Heart-Shaped Red Velvet Cake – Perfect for Valentine’s Day!
- Gluten-Free – Substitute flour with a gluten-free blend.
🧊 Storage
- Store the frosted cake in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Bring to room temp before serving for best texture.
- You can freeze layers (unfrosted) for up to 2 months.
