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Red Velvet Cake

This red velvet cake features a rich, velvety crumb with a striking deep red hue, achieved through a blend of cocoa powder and vibrant food coloring. The batter is mixed until smooth and baked to golden perfection, resulting in a moist, tender texture. Finished with a tangy cream cheese frosting, it’s a visually stunning and indulgently flavorful dessert.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon red food coloring gel preferred for vibrancy
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 8 oz cream cheese cream cheese frosting

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer
  • Cake pan (23cm round)
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a 23cm round cake pan with parchment paper.
  2. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl until well combined.
  3. In another bowl, whisk the sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs until the mixture is smooth and slightly fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  4. Add the buttermilk, red food coloring, and vanilla extract to the wet mixture, and stir until the color is evenly distributed and the mixture is vibrant red.
  5. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing gently but thoroughly until you have a smooth, thick batter with a bright red color.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula, ensuring even thickness.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden with slight cracking.
  8. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Once fully cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top and sides of the cake using a spatula or palette knife.
  10. Slice the cake to reveal its deep red interior and velvety crumb, then serve and enjoy your striking homemade red velvet cake.

Notes

For best color vibrancy, use gel food coloring. Ensure the cake is completely cool before frosting to prevent melting. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.