Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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If you have a special occasion coming up or just want to treat yourself with a dessert that sings comfort and elegance at the same time, this Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is exactly what you need. Its vibrant red layers, delicate cocoa hint, and luxuriously creamy frosting create a flavor combination that never fails to impress or delight. Perfectly balanced between moist and fluffy, this classic cake is a heartwarming celebration of both tradition and sweet indulgence, and once you try it, it’s bound to become a favorite in your baking repertoire.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in delivering the cake’s signature taste, texture, and that beautiful red hue. From the rich cocoa enhancing the depth of flavor to the tangy buttermilk keeping it moist and tender, these simple staples come together to create magic.

• Plain cake flour (2 2/3 cups / 400 g): The foundation for a light and tender crumb that holds everything perfectly.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder (2 tbsp / 10 g): Adds a subtle chocolate flavor that complements the red velvet character.
• Baking soda (1 tsp / 5 g): Essential for that perfect rise without any heaviness – make sure it’s baking soda, not powder!
• Pinch of salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
• Unsalted butter (1/2 cup / 115 g, softened): Gives a rich, creamy texture in the cake and frosting alike.
• Caster/superfine white sugar (1 1/2 cups / 330 g): Dissolves smoothly for even sweetness and moisture retention.
• Eggs (2, room temperature): Bind the mixture while adding structure and moisture.
• Vegetable oil (1 cup / 250 ml): Keeps the cake incredibly moist and tender.
• White vinegar (1 tsp): Reacts with the baking soda for a superbly fluffy texture.
• Vanilla extract (2 tsp): Brings warmth and depth, enhancing other flavors beautifully.
• Buttermilk (1 cup / 250 ml, room temperature): Adds a slight tang and helps the cake stay tender.
• Red food coloring liquid (2 1/2 tbsp): Gives the cake its iconic vibrant red color that’s impossible to resist.
• Philadelphia cream cheese (14 oz / 400 g, softened): The star of your frosting, delivering a luscious tangy balance to the sweet cake.
• Unsalted butter (1/2 cup / 115 g, softened for frosting): Creates a smooth, shining texture in the cream cheese frosting.
• Vanilla extract (1 1/2 tsp for frosting): Lifts the frosting with extra flavor depth.
• Soft icing/powdered sugar (4 cups / 450 g, sifted): Sweetens and thickens your frosting for that perfect spreadable consistency.

How to Make Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pans

Begin by preheating your oven to 180C (350F), suitable for any oven type. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans thoroughly, covering both the sides and the base, then dust them lightly with cocoa powder. This extra step prevents sticking and helps each cake layer come out flawlessly every time.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Sift together your cake flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl, then whisk them gently to ensure an even distribution. This ensures your cake rises uniformly and has that beautiful, tender crumb throughout.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture becomes smooth and well combined. This process creates a light base by incorporating air, essential for a soft cake texture.

Step 4: Add Eggs One at a Time

Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully combined before adding the next. It might look curdled at first, but don’t worry — just keep beating until the batter becomes smooth again.

Step 5: Mix in the Wet Ingredients and Color

Pour in the vegetable oil, white vinegar, vanilla extract, room temperature buttermilk, and generous red food coloring. Beat everything together until you have a luscious, fully blended batter. This stage brings all the flavors and moisture together beautifully.

Step 6: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredient mix to your wet batter. Beat just until combined, allowing for some small lumps — this is better than over-mixing, which can toughen your cake.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans, smoothing the tops gently. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This timing keeps your layers moist yet fully cooked through.

Step 8: Cool the Cakes

Allow the cakes to rest in their pans for about 10 minutes after baking. Then, carefully turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling prevents the frosting from melting and your cake from becoming soggy.

Step 9: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cakes cool, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until silky smooth. Add vanilla extract, then gradually mix in sifted icing sugar until you achieve a thick, creamy frosting with the perfect balance of sweetness and tang.

Step 10: Frost and Assemble

Once the cake layers are fully cooled, spread an even layer of frosting on top of the first cake. Place the second layer on top, and cover the entire cake in more frosting using smooth strokes or your preferred pattern. Your Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is now ready to be enjoyed!

How to Serve Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

Enhance your cake with garnishes like fresh raspberries, mint leaves, or even a light dusting of cocoa powder on top to add visual appeal and subtle complementary flavors. Crumbled cake scraps or white chocolate curls also make charming and tasty decorations.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with simple accompaniments such as a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For a more indulgent pairing, a glass of cold milk or a cup of spiced chai tea makes the experience even cozier.

Creative Ways to Present

Try slicing the cake into petite squares to serve as bite-sized treats at parties or arrange the layers as cupcakes topped with the cream cheese frosting swirl. For an elegant twist, add a drizzle of melted white chocolate or a sprinkle of edible gold dust before serving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover cake refrigerated in an airtight container to preserve freshness and prevent it from drying out. Wrapped tightly, it will stay moist and delicious for up to 4 days, making for wonderful next-day treats.

Freezing

You can freeze both the cake layers and the frosting separately. Wrap each layer tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to avoid freezer burn. Frozen this way, the cake will maintain quality for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting and assembling.

Reheating

Because this is a cream cheese–frosted cake, reheating is generally not recommended as it can cause the frosting to melt or become runny. If needed, allow chilled slices to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften before eating.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

While regular milk can be substituted, it won’t provide the same tang and tenderness. You can mimic buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Is red food coloring necessary?

The iconic red color comes from the red food coloring, which is a hallmark of red velvet cake. Without it, your cake will be more of a subtle cocoa color, and not quite that classic red velvet.

Why is vinegar added to the recipe?

Vinegar reacts with the baking soda to produce carbon dioxide, helping the cake rise and become light and fluffy. It also enhances the crimson color of the cake and adds a slight complexity to the flavor.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

To make a gluten-free version, swap the plain cake flour for a gluten-free cake flour blend, making sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder. The texture might be a bit different, but it’ll still be delicious!

How thick should I apply the cream cheese frosting?

For the perfect balance, aim for a layer roughly 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick between layers and a smooth, even coating around the whole cake. Thick enough to be creamy and tangy without overpowering the delicate cake layers.

Final Thoughts

Nothing compares to the joy of baking and sharing a homemade Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. This cake’s luscious texture and rich flavors bring comfort and excitement to any gathering or quiet night in. Give it a try—you’ll find it rewards you with smiles, compliments, and maybe even a few new traditions around your table!

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