Red Velvet Cake Recipe: A Decadent Delight
Are you ready to bake the most luscious, intensely red, and unbelievably moist red velvet cake? This recipe will guide you through creating a masterpiece that's perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any occasion that calls for a show-stopping dessert. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this classic treat!
Ingredients:
This recipe yields a two-layer 9-inch cake.
For the Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups (300g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
- 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring (gel is recommended for a vibrant color)
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces (227g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Getting Started: Preparing Your Ingredients
Before you begin, ensure all your ingredients are at room temperature. This helps them blend smoothly and prevents lumps in your batter. Softened butter and cream cheese are crucial for a light and fluffy frosting.
Baking the Red Velvet Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal.
- Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Thorough mixing is important for an even distribution of ingredients.
- Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, oil, eggs, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and vinegar. The vinegar reacts with the baking soda, creating a wonderful lift in your cake.
- Combine: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake, so be gentle!
- Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Cream Cheese Frosting: The Perfect Topping
- Beat the Butter and Cream Cheese: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. A stand mixer works best, but a hand mixer will do the trick.
- Add Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating on low speed until combined. Then, increase the speed to medium and beat for another 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract.
Assembling Your Red Velvet Cake: The Final Touches
Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the top of one layer with a generous amount of cream cheese frosting. Carefully place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake. You can add sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or fresh berries for extra flair.
Tips for Red Velvet Cake Success:
- Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel food coloring provides a more intense and vibrant red color than liquid food coloring.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to a tough cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Let the Cakes Cool Completely: Frosting a warm cake will cause the frosting to melt.
- Get Creative with Decorations: Let your creativity shine! Decorate your red velvet cake with your favorite toppings.
Enjoy your delicious homemade red velvet cake! It's sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Remember to share your baking adventures using #RedVelvetCakeRecipe. Happy baking!