Red Velvet Layer Cake (Printable Version)
Moist red velvet cake layered with luscious cream cheese frosting for special occasions.
# What You Need:
→ For the Red Velvet Cake
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 cups granulated sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1 teaspoon fine salt
05 - 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
06 - 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
07 - 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
08 - 2 large eggs, at room temperature
09 - 2 tablespoons red food coloring
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11 - 1 teaspoon white vinegar
→ For the Cream Cheese Frosting
12 - 16 oz cream cheese, softened
13 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
14 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
15 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 - Pinch of salt
# Directions:
01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder until well blended.
03 - In a separate bowl, combine oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar. Mix until smooth.
04 - Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
05 - Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula.
06 - Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
07 - Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
09 - Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy and well combined.
10 - Once cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate and spread with frosting. Top with the second layer and frost the top and sides of the cake.
11 - Decorate as desired. Chill for at least 30 minutes before slicing for best results.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The texture is impossibly moist, thanks to buttermilk and oil working together in ways butter alone never could
- Cream cheese frosting strikes that perfect balance between tangy and sweet, making each bite feel like a special occasion
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients mix together seamlessly, while cold ones can curdle the frosting or leave lumps in your batter
- The vinegar is not optional, it activates the baking soda and actually makes the red color more vibrant
03 -
- Sift your powdered sugar before adding it to the frosting to avoid any gritty texture
- Wipe your knife clean between each slice when serving for the most beautiful presentation