Homemade Red Velvet Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 oz red food coloring (more or less as desired)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Instructions:
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper for easier removal.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, and vinegar. Mix well until combined. Slowly add the red food coloring until you reach your desired color.
Combine the Mixtures: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix until everything is well-combined and smooth, but avoid over-mixing as it can make the cake dense.
Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and fluffy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor.
Assemble the Cake:
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of cream cheese frosting on top.
- Place the second layer on top, then spread frosting over the entire cake.
- Decorate as desired – you can use leftover crumbs from trimming the cake for a classic finish or add extra frosting details!
Serve and Enjoy: Slice up your beautiful red velvet cake and enjoy the creamy, rich flavor!
Tips for the Perfect Red Velvet Cake:
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps the ingredients blend more easily, giving you a smoother batter.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can make the cake tough. Mix just until ingredients are incorporated.
- Buttermilk Substitute: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken before using.
Storage:
- Room Temperature: The cake can stay fresh for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
- Refrigerator: To extend freshness, store it in the fridge for up to a week.
