Description
Red Velvet Cake is a visually stunning and flavorful dessert featuring a moist, tender crumb with a vibrant red color and subtle tangy cocoa flavor. Perfect for celebrations, this easy-to-follow baking recipe delivers a soft, moist cake balanced with a delicate chocolate undertone and pairs wonderfully with cream cheese frosting or other frostings.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk, at room temperature
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients and Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Sifting helps aerate the mixture and removes lumps for a smoother batter.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine granulated sugar and vegetable oil, whisking until fully blended. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract and red food coloring until the mixture is a vibrant red color.
- Alternate Adding Dry and Buttermilk: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with buttermilk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing gently after each addition to keep the batter tender and smooth.
- Add Vinegar and Baking Soda: Combine white vinegar and baking soda in a small bowl, then quickly fold into the batter. The fizzing reaction will lighten and lift the cake texture beautifully.
- Bake and Cool: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting.
Notes
- Use high-quality cocoa powder to enhance the subtle chocolate flavor.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid a tough cake; mix just until combined.
- Measure flour correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off to prevent a dense or dry cake.
- Use room temperature eggs and buttermilk for a smooth batter and even baking.
- Check for doneness a few minutes before the timer to prevent drying out the cake.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg