Red Velvet Cake – Rate My Recipes

Red Velvet Cake is a showstopping dessert with its signature pink hue, moist crumb, and a wealthy but delicate chocolate taste. Paired with a tangy cream cheese frosting, this traditional cake is beloved for each its style and its placing look.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Red Velvet Cake is a timeless favourite that’s excellent for celebrations, holidays, or once you need a cake that feels additional particular. It has a smooth, velvety texture, a slight cocoa taste, and a phenomenal stability of sweetness and tanginess from the buttermilk and vinegar. The cream cheese frosting enhances it completely, making every chunk irresistibly easy and satisfying. Whether or not you’re baking for a birthday or a romantic dinner, this cake delivers each taste and magnificence.

components

(Tip: You’ll discover the total listing of components and measurements within the recipe card beneath.)

All-purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Baking soda
Salt
Eggs
Vegetable oil
Buttermilk
White vinegar
Vanilla extract
Red meals coloring
Cream cheese (for frosting)
Unsalted butter (for frosting)
Powdered sugar (for frosting)

instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch spherical cake pans.
In a big bowl, sift collectively flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
In one other bowl, whisk collectively eggs, oil, buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla, and pink meals coloring till nicely blended.
Step by step add the dry components to the moist combination, stirring simply till mixed. Don’t overmix.
Divide the batter evenly between the ready pans.
Bake for 30–35 minutes or till a toothpick inserted within the heart comes out clear.
Let the desserts cool within the pans for 10 minutes, then prove onto wire racks to chill fully.
For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter till easy. Step by step add powdered sugar and beat till fluffy. Combine in vanilla extract.
As soon as desserts are cool, frost the highest of 1 layer, stack the second layer on high, and canopy all the cake with the remaining frosting.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes 12 servings and takes about 1 hour and quarter-hour complete (25 minutes prep, 35 minutes bake, quarter-hour cooling).

Variations

Cupcakes: Divide batter into cupcake liners and bake for 18–22 minutes.
Layer it up: Make it a three-layer cake for additional visible influence.
Chocolate chips: Add mini chocolate chips to the batter for a shock chunk.
Nutty twist: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts between layers or on high of the frosting.

storage/reheating

Retailer the cake lined within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Let it come to room temperature earlier than serving for the perfect texture. You may as well freeze the frosted or unfrosted cake layers for as much as 2 months—simply wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw within the fridge in a single day earlier than serving.

FAQs

What makes pink velvet cake totally different from chocolate cake?

Red velvet has a lighter cocoa taste, a tangy profile from buttermilk and vinegar, and a singular smooth texture.

Can I exploit pure meals coloring?

Sure, beet powder or pure pink meals coloring can be utilized, although the colour could also be extra muted.

Is buttermilk obligatory?

Sure, buttermilk provides tanginess and helps tenderize the crumb. You may make a substitute by including 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup milk.

Why use vinegar in pink velvet cake?

The vinegar reacts with baking soda to assist the cake rise and enhances the pink colour.

Can I exploit butter as an alternative of oil?

Oil is most well-liked for moisture, however melted butter can be utilized when you choose a richer taste.

Can I make it gluten-free?

Sure, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix instead of common flour.

How do I hold the cake moist?

Keep away from overbaking and watch out to not overmix the batter. Utilizing oil and buttermilk helps hold it moist.

Can I make the cake layers forward of time?

Sure, bake the layers prematurely and refrigerate or freeze till able to frost.

What’s one of the best ways to frost a pink velvet cake?

Begin with a crumb coat (skinny layer of frosting), chill, then apply the ultimate layer for a clear end.

Can I exploit a special frosting?

Cream cheese is traditional, however it’s also possible to use buttercream or a whipped frosting if most well-liked.

Conclusion

Red Velvet Cake is a placing, scrumptious dessert that delivers each taste and magnificence. With its moist crumb, delicate cocoa notes, and creamy frosting, it’s a deal with that by no means goes out of fashion. Whether or not you’re baking for an important day or simply need one thing decadent, this recipe is assured to impress each time.

Description

This traditional pink velvet cake is smooth, moist, and topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting. With its vibrant pink colour and trace of cocoa taste, it’s a show-stopping dessert that’s surprisingly straightforward to make. Excellent for birthdays, holidays, or simply as a result of!

For the cake:

For the cream cheese frosting:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch spherical cake pans or line with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk collectively flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a small bowl, mix buttermilk, vinegar, and vanilla extract. Put aside.
In a big mixing bowl, beat sugar and oil collectively till nicely mixed. Add eggs separately, beating after every addition.
Combine within the pink meals coloring till evenly blended.
Add the dry components to the moist combination in three components, alternating with the buttermilk combination. Combine till simply mixed—don’t overmix.
Divide the batter evenly between the ready pans and easy the tops.
Bake for 30–35 minutes or till a toothpick inserted within the heart comes out clear.
Let desserts cool in pans for 10 minutes, then take away and funky fully on wire racks.
For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter collectively till easy. Add vanilla and salt. Step by step add powdered sugar, beating till fluffy.
As soon as desserts are fully cool, frost between the layers, then frost the highest and sides of the cake.
Chill for half-hour earlier than slicing for neater cuts.

Notes

If utilizing gel meals coloring, begin with much less and alter to get that excellent pink.
You may bake this as a sheet cake or cupcakes—simply alter the baking time.
Retailer cake within the fridge for as much as 5 days.