Go Back

Moist Red Velvet Cake

This Red Velvet Cake Recipe creates the most tender, velvety perfection you’ll ever taste, perfect for any special occasion.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1.5 cups vegetable oil
  • 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons red food coloring
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease the cake pans with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper and lightly flour the greased pans.
Mixing Dry Ingredients
  1. Sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder into a large bowl.
Combining Wet Ingredients
  1. Whisk together oil and buttermilk in a separate bowl.
  2. Add eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition. Stir in red food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla extract.
Bringing It All Together
  1. Pour wet ingredients into the dry mixture and mix on low speed just until combined.
  2. Increase speed to medium and beat for exactly 1 minute.
Baking Process
  1. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and tap pans gently on the counter. Bake for 28-30 minutes.
  2. Check with a toothpick inserted in the center; it should come out clean or with tiny crumbs.
Cooling Properly
  1. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes before inverting onto cooling racks.
  2. Cool completely before frosting, about 1 hour.
Making Cream Cheese Frosting
  1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
  2. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix well, then add vanilla extract and salt.
Assembling Your Cake
  1. Level the tops of the cakes if necessary. Place the first layer on a serving plate.
  2. Spread about 1 cup of frosting on the first layer, then add the second layer and press gently.
  3. Apply a thin frosting layer over the entire cake to trap crumbs, then refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.
  4. Apply remaining frosting to the cake, piping decorations if desired.

Notes

For optimal results, use room temperature ingredients and avoid overmixing the batter.