You won't believe how simple it is to create this traditional Red Velvet Cake recipe from scratch! This cake is extraordinarily delicate, tender, and moist, and it pairs perfectly with my tangy, sweet cream cheese frosting. This delectable cake, with its lovely velvety texture and fluffy frosting, will keep you coming back for more.

Whether you want a magnificent red velvet cake for Valentine's Day or a show-stopping cake for birthdays, holidays, or any other event, this red velvet cake recipe will do the trick. This cake is more than simply a red vanilla cake; it's acidic and buttery, with a hint of chocolate and a sweet vanilla flavor.

What is red velvet cake?

Red velvet cake is a famous treat known not only for its brilliant color but also for its distinct flavor and texture. While it appears to be a chocolate cake, it is actually a vanilla cake with a mild cocoa influence. Buttermilk and vinegar provide a subtle tang to offset the sweetness, while food coloring creates the trademark red shade of colour.

It's known for its incredibly soft, almost velvety crumb, which pairs perfectly with its most common companion: creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting. While Southern in origin, red velvet's popularity has skyrocketed, making it a beloved treat worldwide.

Ingredients for red velvet recipe

Baking soda — always double-check that the baking soda you have is not expired.

Butter — Make sure the butter is at room temperature so it’ll be easier to cream and butter should be unsalted so that there will be less taste of salt in the cake.

Cocoa powder — This recipe doesn't use a lot of cocoa powder, so it won't overshadow the other tastes in the cake. Make sure you use raw cocoa powder rather than Dutch-processed cocoa powder.

Buttermilk — this adds a tangy flavor and moisture to the cake. Also, the buttermilk activates the baking soda to help the cake rise and give it its light and fluffy crumb. Furthermore, as buttermilk is acidic, it reacts with the cocoa powder and turns it red!

Vinegar — just like the buttermilk, the vinegar helps activate the baking soda and brings out the red tones in the cocoa powder.

Red food coloring — this will help enhance the red color in the red velvet cake.

Cream cheese —Make sure to use full-fat cream cheese for this icing. You do not want to use cream cheese from a tub. Try to use the highest quality cream cheese available. Some generic cream cheeses may not be as thick, resulting in watery frosting.

Powdered sugar — you must use powdered sugar as it’ll quickly dissolve into the cream cheese frosting, making it creamy and sweet. If you only have regular sugar, see my post on how to make powdered sugar with it!

Step for making red velvet cake

Here are some steps to make a delightful red velvet cake for your cravings:

Step 1. In a medium bowl, sift the flour, salt, and baking soda together.

Step 2. Cream the butter on medium speed in the bowl of a standing blender fitted with a paddle attachment. Add in sugar and mix on medium until light and fluffy. Add the eggs in one at a time, beating each until well combined.

Step 3. Beat in the vanilla, then sift the cocoa powder into the butter mixture. Beat just until combined. Scrape down the bowl.

Step 4. In a liquid measuring cup, combine the buttermilk, vinegar, and red food coloring. (The more you use, the brighter the color when baked.

Step 5. With the mixer on low speed, add half of the flour mixture and half of the buttermilk mixture to the mixing bowl, beating until barely incorporated. Repeat with the remaining flour and buttermilk. Stop and scrape down the bowl on occasion.

Step 6. Divide the batter among three buttered 6-inch pans and bake for about 30 to 35 minutes or until the centers are springy to the touch.

Step 7. To create the cream cheese frosting, combine the butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and salt until creamy and fluffy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar to the mixer and mix until thoroughly combined. Set aside one cup.

Spread ½ cup frosting equally over a cake layer on the cake stand. Continue with the remaining layers, then use the remaining frosting to cover the outside of the cake.

Step 8. Place the cup of frosting into a piping bag with a decorative tip. Pipe a decorative border on top of the cake or as desired. Place the red velvet cake in the fridge and chill for about 1 hour or until the frosting is set.

And, your yummy red velvet cake is ready to go in your tummy!

Advance tips for making an Original red velvet cake recipe

1. If the tops of your red velvet cake layers are cylindrical, use a serrated knife to remove the crowns so you can stack them properly. Alternatively, use cake strips to help your cake layers spread evenly.

2. We highly recommend using a scale to measure your flour as it’s the most accurate method. If you don’t have a scale, fluff your flour with a spoon and spoon it into your cups before leveling it off with a knife. This method prevents you from overpacking the measuring cup.

3. Cake strips function by keeping the outside edge of the pan cool, allowing the entire cake to rise at the same rate and preventing a crown from forming in the center. If you don't want to buy cake strips, check out my guide on how to make your own.

4. Refrigerate some ingredients such as eggs, butter, and milk, as it is best to bring them to room temperature before using them so they mix effortlessly without overmixing.

5. Be gentle when handling the layers during assembly, as the cake is very tender.

6. The best approach to bring your butter to room temperature is to remove it from the refrigerator 1 to 2 hours before using it and place it on your kitchen counter. Microwave-softening the butter runs the danger of melting it and making the cream cheese frosting runny.

To speed up the process of bringing the butter to room temperature, cube it rather than leaving the sticks whole.

7. Make sure to filter the dry ingredients to remove any lumps. This will help to keep the cake’s crumb soft and light.

8. For a large cake, divide the batter among two 9-inch round cake pans. The layers will be a bit thinner, so the bake time will decrease by about 5 minutes.

9. It is not necessary to put eggs in it as nowadays many people are becoming vegetarians or vegans so you can try an eggless red velvet cake recipe.

Red velvet cake in Delhi NCR

Are you looking for beautiful and delicious red velvet cakes for Valentine’s Day or just need a showstopping cake for birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, or any other occasion, this red velvet cake recipe fits the bill. More than just a red-tinted vanilla cake, this cake is tangy and buttery, with a mild cocoa and sweet vanilla flavor.

Red velvet cake is thought to have arisen during the Great Depression with a widespread application of red food coloring and is a favorite treat in the Southern United States. It's such a unique dessert that everyone will like. It's worth the effort to make from scratch because it far performs any box mix. The cake is rich and soft, yet moist, with a velvety texture. It's usually popular with the crowd!

We Cakingom provides you with a large variety of red velvet cakes for our vegetarian customers too like exotic red velvet cake, red velvet layer cake, heart-shaped red velvet, and many more, for you and your loved ones. We provide our services in Delhi NCR.

Conclusion

Finally, this simple red velvet cake recipe for beginners provides a delicious and luxurious dessert without the intimidation element that frequently comes with baking. With simple ingredients and clear instructions, even beginners can easily make a moist, savory cake with a rich red hue and creamy frosting.

This recipe is not only visually appealing, but it also gives a fantastic flavor experience that will impress friends and family. The step-by-step instructions ensure success, encouraging new bakers to test their culinary abilities and gain confidence in the kitchen.

Whether for a special occasion or simply a sweet treat, this red velvet cake recipe exemplifies the joy of baking and the satisfaction of making something wonderful from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 How long does homemade red velvet cake last?

Ans Homemade red velvet cake stays good for about 5 days if kept in a refrigerator.

Q2 How do you know when the red velvet cake is done?

Ans The best way to do this is to gently press on the center of the cake with a knife to see if it springs back. If your knife leaves little particles of cake batter, your cake isn't done baking. Return it to the oven for at least 5 minutes before checking it again.

Q3 What does red velvet cake taste like?

Ans Red velvet cake tastes like a light chocolate cake with vanilla buttermilk hint.

Q4 What is red velvet made of?

Ans Red velvet cake is made by combining cocoa powder, butter, sugar, eggs, and flour as well as buttermilk, vinegar, and red food coloring that gives the cake its iconic red tint. In a classic red velvet cake, cream cheese frosting is paired.