This striking dessert features two layers of velvety, flavorful cake paired with plenty of cream cheese frosting.
Molly Bolton/Southern Living
Red velvet cake is one of the most eye-catching cakes to bake.
Red velvet cakedates back decades.
Credit:Molly Bolton/Southern Living
The cocoa powder was used to break up all-purpose flour to create a velvety texture.
This cake utilizes just a touch of cocoa for improved flavor and a beautiful crumb.
It also utilizes buttermilk and vinegar, paired with baking soda, for a hint of tang and leavening.
Credit:Molly Bolton/Southern Living
This classic two-layer red velvet cake is made with simple, easy-to-find ingredients.
The oven needs to be fully heated before you put the cake layers in.
Then, grease two 9-inch round baking pans to prep them for the cake batter.
Credit:Molly Bolton/Southern Living
Set those aside while you make the batter.
Then grab your sifter, and sift the mixture to get it well combined.
Set the sifted dry ingredients aside.
Credit:Molly Bolton/Southern Living
Then combine the buttermilk and vinegar in a small bowl or measuring cup.
Set that aside, too.
To start the batter, you’ll need to firstcream the butter and sugar.
Credit:Molly Bolton/Southern Living
You’re aiming for the butter and sugar to be lighter and fluffy.
Next, add in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla extract and red food coloring.
To finish the batter, mix together the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture, alternating as you combine.
Credit:Molly Bolton/Southern Living
Begin and end with the flour for the best results.
Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans.
Use a spatula to even out the cake batter if needed.
Credit:Molly Bolton/Southern Living
Finally, move the cake pans to the preheated oven, and bake the cakes for 20 minutes.
Check to be sure the cakes are done by inserting a toothpick into the middle.
you might even chill the cake layers in the fridge of freezer before adding frosting.
Credit:Molly Bolton/Southern Living
The chilly temps making frosting easier.
To finish the cakes, make the cream cheese frosting.
Once the cake has completely cooled, it’s time to frost it and decorate it if you wish.
Credit:Molly Bolton/Southern Living
Grab a cake stand or plate that’s larger than the cake.
Then, place the second layer on top, and cover the whole cake with frosting.
Frost the entire cake with cream cheese frosting, and add any decorations you wish.
Credit:Molly Bolton/Southern Living
Whats the Best Frosting for Red Velvet Cake?
Red velvet cake could also be topped with classic vanilla frosting or a richchocolate frosting.
We’ve even made a red velvet cake strawberry frosting.
Credit:Molly Bolton/Southern Living
Do You Refrigerate a Red Velvet Cake?
Red velvet cake layers on their own do not need to be refrigerated.
When you add cream cheese frosting, that changes.
Credit:Molly Bolton/Southern Living
Cream cheese is perishable, even with the addition of butter and powdered sugar.
To achieve proper texture, its important to start with room temperature butter, eggs, and buttermilk.
The cream cheese frosting should be made withsoftened cream cheeseand butter to produce a completely smooth and creamy frosting.
Credit:Molly Bolton/Southern Living
)pkgs.cream cheese, softened
10cupspowdered sugar
2Tbsp.milk
Directions
Preheat oven to 350F.
Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, and salt in a large bowl.
Sift, and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the buttermilk and vinegar.
Mix in the eggs one at a time.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Mix in the vanilla extract and food coloring.
Beating on low, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk.
Begin and end with the flour mixture.
Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed.
Divide the batter between the two prepared cake pans.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 22 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cool the cakes in the pan for 15 minutes.
Transfer to wire racks to cool completely, about 1 hour.
Make theCream Cheese Frosting(instructions below).
To assemble, place one cake layer on a cake stand.
Spread cream cheese frosting on top.
Top with the second cake layer, and frost the outer layer of the cake with a crumb coating.
Place the cake in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes.
Finish frosting the cake with an offset spatula with the remaining cream cheese frosting until covered.
Serve immediately, or put back in the fridge until ready to serve.
With mixer on low, mix in half of the powdered sugar.
Add the milk and vanilla extract, and then gradually mix in the remaining powdered sugar.
Beat on low until smooth.
