If you have a craving for something truly indulgent, moist, and stunningly vibrant, you have to try The Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Recipe. This cake is a perfect harmony of subtle cocoa flavor, tangy buttermilk, and that signature velvety texture, all wrapped up in a beautiful ruby-red appearance. Whether it’s a special celebration or just a treat-yourself moment, this recipe will quickly become a cherished favorite for sharing joy and sweetness with family and friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients may seem simple, but each one plays a crucial role in delivering the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color in The Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Recipe. From the delicate cocoa powder to the tang of buttermilk and the rich cream cheese frosting, every component is essential for baking success.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the cake, ensuring a tender crumb every time.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a moist texture.
- Baking soda: Acts as a leavening agent to make the cake rise beautifully.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors, bringing balance to the sweetness.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Gives the cake its characteristic slight chocolate undertone.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake delectably moist and tender.
- Buttermilk: Adds a subtle tang and reacts with baking soda for softness.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients and provide richness.
- Red food coloring: Creates the signature vibrant red color that makes this cake so iconic.
- Vanilla extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cake’s flavor.
- White vinegar: Enhances the cake’s rise and complements the buttermilk’s tanginess.
- Cream cheese (softened): The star of the frosting, delivering creamy tang and smoothness.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and helps create a luscious frosting texture.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for perfect spreading.
- Heavy cream: Adjusts frosting consistency for that smooth, spreadable finish.
How to Make The Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Oven
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s perfectly preheated when you’re ready to bake. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper to ensure your lovely layers come out clean and intact without sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. This step is key to evenly distributing the cocoa and leavening agents so every bite is consistent in flavor and texture.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar. This mixture will not only add moisture and richness but also that brilliant red hue and slight tanginess essential to the cake’s character.
Step 4: Create the Batter
Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring gently just until the batter reaches a smooth consistency. This careful mixing is important to avoid overworking the flour which can make the cake dense rather than light and tender.
Step 5: Bake the Cake Layers
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans and pop them into the oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, keeping an eye on them, and confirm doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center—it should come out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which is crucial before frosting.
Step 6: Prepare the Classic Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar in increments, continuing to mix until velvety and fluffy. Stir in vanilla extract and then add heavy cream as needed to achieve spreadable perfection. This frosting is what truly sets apart The Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Recipe—rich, tangy, and silky smooth.
Step 7: Assemble and Decorate
Once your cake layers are fully cooled, spread a generous layer of frosting on top of the first layer. Place the second one on top and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting. For a finishing touch, decorate with extra cake crumbs or red velvet shavings to make your presentation pop and give an extra flavor boost.
How to Serve The Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Adding wedges of fresh strawberries or a dusting of cocoa powder can elevate the look and add a little twist of fruity brightness or subtle chocolate aroma, complementing the cake’s natural flavors.
Side Dishes
Scoops of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream make wonderful companions. They add creaminess and temperature contrast, so each bite feels like a dreamy treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider slicing your cake into mini squares for party platters or layering cupcakes with the same frosting for individual servings. Another idea is drizzling melted white chocolate over the top to add elegance and extra indulgence.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cake covered in the fridge in an airtight container to maintain moisture and freshness. It will stay delicious for up to 4 days and tastes even better after the flavors have melded overnight.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked cake layers (unfrosted) tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before frosting. Frosted cake can be frozen too, but be sure to cover it well to avoid freezer burn.
Reheating
For slices chilled in the fridge, let them sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving to bring out the flavor and softness. Avoid microwaving as it can affect the texture and frosting.
FAQs
Can I use different food coloring for The Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Recipe?
Yes! While red food coloring is traditional, you can experiment with gel or liquid types. Just remember that gel coloring tends to be more concentrated, so use sparingly to avoid altering the texture.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely, by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking, you can enjoy a delightful gluten-free version of The Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Recipe without losing its classic qualities.
Can I substitute the vegetable oil with butter?
While butter adds great flavor, vegetable oil helps keep this cake super moist and tender. Using butter instead can make the texture denser, but it’s still a possible substitution if you prefer a buttery note.
Why is there vinegar in the recipe?
The white vinegar reacts with the baking soda and buttermilk to create a tender crumb and boost the rise of the cake. It also helps brighten the cake’s flavor profile, balancing sweetness with a slight tang.
How do I know when the cake is done baking?
Use the toothpick test by inserting it into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs (but no wet batter), your cake is perfectly baked and ready to cool.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t go wrong with The Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Recipe—a timeless dessert that brings elegance, flavor, and a touch of magic to any occasion. I encourage you to gather your ingredients, whip up this stunning cake, and watch smiles light up as everyone enjoys every luscious bite. Happy baking!
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The Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Ultimate Red Velvet Cake recipe delivers a classic, moist, and tender cake with a vibrant red color, perfectly balanced by the creamy tang of homemade cream cheese frosting. Ideal for celebrations or any special occasion, this cake is a delightful treat with rich cocoa flavor and a soft crumb.
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tbsp red food coloring (liquid or gel)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp white vinegar
Frosting
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tbsp heavy cream (to adjust frosting consistency)
Instructions
- Prepare Pans and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cake removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, and unsweetened cocoa powder to combine all dry ingredients evenly for a consistent cake texture.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredient mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
- Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until creamy and smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, about one cup at a time, beating until fully incorporated and smooth. Add vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of heavy cream; if the frosting is too thick, add more cream by the teaspoon until the desired spreadable consistency is reached.
- Assemble the Cake: Once the cake layers are fully cooled, spread a generous amount of frosting on top of the first layer. Place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides of the entire cake evenly.
- Decorate and Serve: Optionally garnish the cake with extra cake crumbs or red velvet shavings for texture and visual appeal. Slice and serve to enjoy the classic red velvet flavor with creamy frosting.
Notes
- Make sure all refrigerated ingredients like eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature before mixing to ensure even batter and better rise.
- If you prefer a deeper red color, you can adjust the amount of red food coloring accordingly.
- To prevent the frosting from being too runny, add the heavy cream slowly and stop once it reaches a spreadable texture.
- This cake tastes even better after chilling for a few hours, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
