Rating: 3.61
(78)

Red Velvet Cake

April 24, 2024

Red Velvet Cake is a true classic that has a special place in the world of desserts. Known for its vibrant red color, velvety texture, and deliciously tangy flavor, it’s a cake that brings both beauty and indulgence to any occasion. Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, or just a special treat, Red Velvet Cake never fails to impress.

At the heart of a Red Velvet Cake is its unique flavor. It’s not quite chocolate, not quite vanilla, but somewhere in between. The slight cocoa flavor is complemented by a tangy note from the buttermilk and a hint of vinegar, which balances the sweetness perfectly. The cake is moist, tender, and has a light crumb that practically melts in your mouth.

The key to a perfect Red Velvet Cake is in the ingredients and technique. The cake gets its signature red color from food coloring, which, when combined with the richness of the cocoa and the tanginess of buttermilk, creates a flavor profile like no other. The frosting, typically a cream cheese or buttercream frosting, adds an extra layer of sweetness and creaminess, making each bite even more irresistible.

What makes Red Velvet Cake so popular is its versatility. It’s delicious on its own, but you can also get creative with different frostings, fillings, and toppings. Adding a bit of chocolate ganache, or even decorating it with edible flowers or fresh fruit, can take this cake to the next level. It’s the perfect dessert to bring to celebrations or enjoy as a sweet treat after dinner.

There’s something inherently elegant about Red Velvet Cake, and it’s a dessert that’s perfect for both casual and formal gatherings. With its striking color and rich flavor, it’s a cake that’s sure to be the centerpiece of any dessert table.

Red Velvet Cake
Red Velvet Cake
3.61 from 78 votes
A delicious and moist red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.
Servings 12 people
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 eggs large,
  • 2 tbsp Red food coloring
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 batch cream cheese frosting

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
  • Add the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
  • Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Once the cakes are cooled, frost with cream cheese frosting. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 485kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 6gFat: 25gFiber: 1g
Calories: 485kcal
Meal Type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cake, cream cheese, Red Velvet Cake
Cooking Method: Baked
Time: >45 Min
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Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar Zarniwoop says:

    3 stars
    This recipe needs more chocolate flavor. It’s too sweet as is. Not my favorite.

  2. User avatar Ra'zhinda says:

    5 stars
    This cake is absolutely delightful! The cream cheese frosting takes it to another level. Will definitely make it again!

  3. User avatar joaquin.oconner26 says:

    3 stars
    Why do people like red velvet? It’s just chocolate cake with red dye! Anyway, I guess it looked pretty, so that’s a plus.

  4. 2 stars
    I don’t know why people rave about red velvet. It’s just chocolate cake with food coloring.

  5. User avatar michel.brown1957 says:

    1 star
    Red velvet? More like red mistake! Who puts cocoa powder in a cake? Just doesn’t make sense!

    1. User avatar melissia.emmerich31 says:

      4 stars
      Red Velvet is actually a classic! The cocoa adds flavor, not bitterness. Give it another try with an open mind!

    2. User avatar jonelle.kutch says:

      2 stars
      Who cares about cocoa? It’s supposed to be red and yummy. Sounds like you just don’t know how to bake right.

  6. User avatar truman.tillman1981 says:

    5 stars
    This cake turned out amazing! The color was so vibrant and the taste was heavenly. I can’t believe how easy it was to make!

  7. User avatar winona.dickinson1954 says:

    5 stars
    YUM! The cream cheese frosting takes it to another level. Can’t get enough of this cake.

  8. User avatar sha.barrows13 says:

    2 stars
    I tried making this but my cake turned out super dry! I’m not sure what I did wrong. Any tips?

  9. 2 stars
    The ingredient list is simple and the steps are easy. I messed up and forgot the vinegar once, but I still ate it 😅

    1. User avatar virgil.reilly says:

      5 stars
      Honestly the vinegar probably just adds a little tang—if it still came out good, I’d call that a win 😅 Nice save!

  10. User avatar michiko.beatty2021 says:

    5 stars
    This came out so moist and fluffy—exactly what I wanted. The red color is bold (in a good way) and the flavor is legit.

  11. User avatar basementDweller says:

    3 stars
    Not really a fan of red velvet, but I gave it a go because my friends love it. It was ok, but I still think chocolate is better.

  12. 3 stars
    It was okish. Too sweet for my taste. Maybe less sugar next time.

  13. User avatar carl.bartell says:

    2 stars
    I tried this recipe and it didn’t come out right! The cake was too dry! What did I do wrong? 😩

    1. 4 stars
      I’m sorry to hear that! Sometimes overbaking can cause dryness. Did you check the toothpick test?

    2. User avatar Herb Wolff says:

      3 stars
      Maybe u forgot the buttermilk? That helps keep it moist. Try again, you got this!

  14. User avatar berry.kuhn19 says:

    5 stars
    I make this cake every year for my family reunion! It’s a hit every time. ❤️❤️

    1. User avatar hedgehog says:

      5 stars
      That’s awesome! I love a good family tradition. 😍 What kind of frosting do you use?

  15. User avatar victoria.schumm37 says:

    4 stars
    I had to substitute regular milk for buttermilk and it still turned out fine. Just make sure to adjust the baking time!

  16. User avatar dominica.bernier19 says:

    4 stars
    Red velvets the best! I have a family recipe that’s even better. Sorry, not sorry!

  17. 4 stars
    This recipe is a keeper! The colors are so nice and festive. Great for birthdays!

  18. User avatar demetra.cummerata2016 says:

    5 stars
    Yum, who doesn’t love cream cheese frosting! It was super easy to make, 10/10 would bake again!

  19. User avatar karan.legros25 says:

    4 stars
    I was skeptical about the baking soda amount + cocoa powder, but it worked. I used gel food coloring and it still looked great.

  20. User avatar clayton.jerde67 says:

    5 stars
    This is the best red velvet recipe! Came out so moist and delicious. My family loved it!

  21. User avatar chana.okeefe says:

    3 stars
    Too sweet for my taste. Maybe less sugar next time?

  22. User avatar anonymous_hacker says:

    3 stars
    Only 2 eggs? I thought red velvet needed more! 🤔 Anyway, my friend said it was good., I just eat it for the frosting anyway.

  23. User avatar liberal.hero says:

    4 stars
    I was skeptical about the vinegar, but it really does make a difference. Who knew?

  24. User avatar shelton.kilback82 says:

    5 stars
    If I can make this, anybody can! Super easy and the frosting is unreal!

    1. User avatar christie.huels says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree! The frosting really makes it! I never thought I’d be able to bake something so fancy.

  25. User avatar cecil.bogisich says:

    3 stars
    My frosting melted in the heat. How do you keep it from getting runny?

  26. 2 stars
    I dunno, mine tasted kinda funny… Maybe because of the buttermilk? 😕

  27. User avatar jonna.parisian says:

    3 stars
    I followed the recipe exactly, but my cake came out kind of flat. Maybe I overmixed it?

    1. User avatar tim.lebsack1998 says:

      4 stars
      Don’t worry, it happens! Overmixing can definitely make it flat. Next time, just mix until combined. It’ll rise perfectly!

    2. User avatar manuel.waters says:

      3 stars
      Maybe it was the baking powder? Or did you check your oven temp? A flat cake is just sad…

  28. User avatar Jake Mayer DVM says:

    5 stars
    Love it!!! Best cake I ever made! My friends think I’m a pro now! 🥳

  29. User avatar Genghis Khan says:

    1 star
    Red velvet is just chocolate cake with red dye! Can’t believe people go crazy over it. 🤨

  30. User avatar graig.stoltenberg92 says:

    5 stars
    This cake is so delicious! I made it for my sister’s birthday and everyone loved it. Will definitely make again!

    1. 5 stars
      So glad to hear that! Red velvet is my favorite. Happy birthday to your sister!

  31. 1 star
    This was my first cake ever. I think I did something wrong, it didn’t rise much. 🙁

    1. 4 stars
      Don’t worry! First cakes can be tricky. The baking soda might’ve been old or maybe you didn’t mix it well enough. Keep trying!

  32. User avatar arleen.sporer98 says:

    5 stars
    so yum! bestest cake I ever bake!!!

    1. User avatar syble.durgan24 says:

      5 stars
      That sounds amazing! I love red velvet cake! How did you get it so fluffy?

    2. User avatar emely.hoppe99 says:

      2 stars
      Bestest? Really? I think there’s better cakes out there, this one seems too basic. Let’s be real!

  33. 1 star
    I used regular milk because I didn’t have buttermilk, and it turned out dry and crumbly. Learn from me—get buttermilk.

    1. User avatar Vern Conroy says:

      5 stars
      Ugh, I’m sorry that happened! But you’re 100% right—this recipe really needs the buttermilk for that tender crumb. Dry and crumbly is exactly what I’d expect from swapping it 1:1 with regular milk.

    2. User avatar colton.hackett78 says:

      3 stars
      Wait—so the buttermilk changes the texture? I always use regular milk in red velvet and it turns out fine… maybe you overbaked it? 25-30 min could be a little long depending on your oven.

  34. User avatar harris.tillman54 says:

    5 stars
    Very good. Five stars.

  35. User avatar chantay.block5 says:

    2 stars
    Tried this recipe and it was a disaster! Way too oily and I don’t think the vinegar was needed. Not impressed.

  36. User avatar Cave Bear says:

    5 stars
    This cake was a hit at my daughter’s birthday! The cream cheese frosting is the best part! 😍

  37. User avatar gregg.wiza6 says:

    3 stars
    Red velvet???? Isn’t that just chocolate cake with red dye? 🤔

  38. User avatar valentin.rodriguez40 says:

    4 stars
    Super good! I added some chocolate chips and it was a hit at the party! Will definitely make again.

    1. User avatar Pasta Fasta says:

      5 stars
      Wow, chocolate chips? That’s genius! I never thought to add those to red velvet. I’ll have to try it!

    2. User avatar rickie.kessler8 says:

      2 stars
      Not sure about that combo… red velvet is perfect as it is. Chocolate chips might mess it up.

  39. User avatar King Vegeta says:

    5 stars
    Simply divine! A slice of heaven on a plate! 🍰🤤

  40. User avatar Barry Manilow says:

    1 star
    Why you need vinegar in the cake? Isn’t that for chips? 😅

3.61 from 78 votes
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