Description

This soft, moist red velvet cake features a tender crumb, subtle cocoa flavor, and striking red color. Finished with a tangy cream cheese frosting, it’s a stunning, crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for celebrations.

Ingredients

Cake:

2 cups granulated sugar (400 g)

¾ cup vegetable oil (170 g)

½ cup unsalted butter, melted (113 g)

3 large eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1⅓ cup buttermilk (or 1⅓ cup whole milk + 4 tsp vinegar/lemon juice)

2 teaspoons vinegar

1 tablespoon red gel food coloring

¼ cup boiling water (60 g)

2½ tablespoons Dutch processed cocoa powder (15 g)

3 cups all-purpose flour (390 g)

¼ cup cornstarch (30 g)

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1¼ cups unsalted butter, softened (283 g)

20 oz cream cheese, room temperature (570 g)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

3–4 cups sifted icing sugar (360–480 g)

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (no fan). Line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
Whisk sugar, oil, and melted butter for 1–2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla, whisk another minute.
Add buttermilk, vinegar, and red food coloring. Mix until well combined.
Whisk cocoa powder with boiling water and stir into batter.
Sift in flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gently whisk until no lumps remain.
Divide batter between pans and bake 23–25 minutes. Cool in pans 15 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
For frosting: Beat butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and salt on medium for 2–3 minutes until smooth. Gradually add icing sugar to desired consistency and sweetness.
Trim cake domes. Layer cakes with frosting in between. Apply crumb coat, chill 15 minutes, then frost and decorate.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for vibrant red without thinning the batter.
Mix flour until just combined to keep layers light and tender.
Frosting can be made ahead—store refrigerated and rewhip before using.
Wrap cake layers in plastic to freeze or refrigerate before assembling.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 520
Sugar: 42g
Sodium: 390mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 55g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 90mg