Red Velvet Cake

  • Level: Intermediate
  • Yield: 2 (9-inch) rounds, 10 to 12 servings
  • Total: 1 hr 53 min
  • Prep: 20 min
  • Inactive: 1 hr
  • Cook: 33 min
Advertisement

Ingredients

Nonstick spray

5 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour

4 ounces cake flour

1/2 ounce natural cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup low-fat buttermilk, room temperature

1 fluid ounce red liquid food coloring

1 tablespoon white vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

10 1/2 ounces dark brown sugar

4 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature

2 whole eggs, room temperature

Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows

Cream Cheese Frosting:

13 1/2 ounces powdered sugar

12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

3 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Pinch kosher salt

Directions

  1. Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Spray 2 (9-inch) round pans with nonstick spray, line the bottom of the pan with a parchment paper round, spray the parchment with nonstick spray, and set aside.
  2. Whisk the flours, cocoa, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl and set aside. Whisk the buttermilk, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla together in a small bowl and set aside.
  3. Combine the brown sugar and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and cream on medium speed until lightened in color, 2 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Return the mixer to medium speed and slowly add the eggs and beat until they are fully incorporated.
  4. With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture in 3 installments, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl between each installment. Mix on low speed until smooth, 30 to 45 seconds.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake until the cake springs back when pressed or reaches an internal temperature of 205 degrees F, 30 to 35 minutes.
  6. Cool in the pans on a rack for 10 minutes, and then remove the cake from the pans and cool completely, about 1 hour, before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  1. Combine the cream cheese and butter on medium speed, just until blended, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla and salt and beat until combined. With the speed on low, add the powdered sugar in 4 batches, beating until smooth between each addition. Refrigerate for 5 to 10 minutes before using.

Let's Get Cooking!

Sign up for the Recipe of the Day newsletter to receive editor-picked recipes,tips and videos delivered to your inbox daily. Privacy Policy

Thanks for subscribing to the Recipe of the Day newsletter. Check out all our other great newsletters from Easy Recipes, Healthy Eating Ideas and Chef Recipe Videos.

We're sorry, there was an error signing you up. Please try again later.

Advertisement

janriley20

I made this cake for Christmas and followed the recipe EXACTLY. The feedback I received included many rave reviews with more than one agreeing “this is the best red velvet cake I’ve ever had in my life”. <br /><br />You do need to use the scale to get exact measurements and should also note what temperature room temperature is (68-72) - in the video AB explains why the butter needs to be at this temperature for the ingredients to interact/perform correctly. Insert your thermometer and check the temperature of the butter. Also when checking/removing the cake, it should be at 205 degrees (yes you should check just like cooking anything else - insert your thermometer and check the temperature), if you over bake the cake it will be dry. <br /><br />Weighing the ingredients to be exact is not a big deal, buy a scale, put a bowl on top, use the function to zero it out (tare weight), and put your ingredients in the bowl. Or for the smaller items put down a piece of parchment paper.<br /><br />This is an absolutely wonderful recipe!!

See All Reviews