Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a timeless dessert that combines elegance, comfort, and unforgettable flavor. With its soft, velvety crumb, subtle cocoa notes, and signature red hue, this cake feels special without being overly complicated. What truly sets it apart is the cream cheese frosting—smooth, tangy, and perfectly balanced against the cake’s gentle sweetness. I have baked this recipe for birthdays, holidays, and celebrations, and it never fails to impress. The cake stays moist for days, slices cleanly, and delivers consistent results every time. Unlike overly sweet versions, this recipe focuses on balance, allowing the texture and flavor to shine. Whether you are an experienced baker or making red velvet cake for the first time, this version is reliable, approachable, and worthy of any occasion.
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Red Velvet Cake Recipe (Cream Cheese Frosting)
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a classic, moist cake with a subtle cocoa flavor, vibrant red color, and rich, tangy cream cheese frosting, perfect for celebrations and special occasions.
Ingredients
- For the Red Velvet Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
- In another bowl, mix oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar until combined.
- Gradually add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- To make frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar gradually and beat until fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract.
- Frost cooled cake layers and assemble as desired.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for a deeper red color.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Refrigerate cake due to cream cheese frosting.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
All-Purpose Flour
Flour provides the structure for the cake while keeping the crumb tender and soft.
Cocoa Powder
A small amount of cocoa powder adds subtle chocolate depth without overpowering the classic red velvet flavor.
Baking Soda
Baking soda reacts with the acidic ingredients to give the cake its light, airy texture.
Salt
Salt enhances flavor and balances sweetness.
Granulated Sugar
Sugar sweetens the cake and helps create a moist, tender crumb.
Vegetable Oil
Oil keeps the cake exceptionally moist and soft, even after refrigeration.
Eggs
Eggs provide structure and richness while helping bind the batter.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk adds tang and tenderness, contributing to the cake’s signature texture.
Red Food Coloring
Red food coloring gives the cake its iconic appearance. Gel or liquid coloring both work well.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla enhances flavor and rounds out the cocoa and tangy notes.
White Vinegar
Vinegar reacts with baking soda to create lift and reinforces the subtle tang typical of red velvet cake.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese forms the base of the frosting, delivering tangy richness.
Unsalted Butter
Butter adds structure and smoothness to the frosting.
Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar sweetens and thickens the frosting without graininess.
Directions
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line two round cake pans with parchment paper.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a separate large bowl, mix sugar and vegetable oil until combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in buttermilk, vanilla extract, vinegar, and red food coloring until smooth.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
To prepare the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
Once the cakes are fully cooled, frost the top of one layer, place the second layer on top, and frost the top and sides evenly.
Equipment needed :
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
Full-Size Blender – is a powerful kitchen appliance for making smoothies, soups, and sauces in large batches.
3-in-1 Air Fryer – This versatile 3-in-1 air fryer offers Air Fry for healthier meals with less oil, Bake for bakery-quality desserts and treats, and Reheat to bring leftovers back to life with crispy, flavorful results
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 10 to 12 people.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Cooling and frosting time: 40 minutes
Total time: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Storage/reheating
Store the frosted cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow slices to come to room temperature before serving. Reheating is not recommended.
Variations and Customizations
You can turn this recipe into cupcakes by baking at the same temperature for 18 to 20 minutes. I tested this version, and it produces moist, evenly domed cupcakes.
For a less sweet frosting, reduce the powdered sugar slightly and add a splash of heavy cream for smoothness.
If you prefer a deeper chocolate note, increase the cocoa powder slightly without altering the cake’s texture.
This cake also works beautifully as a three-layer celebration cake by dividing the batter evenly and reducing baking time slightly.
Nutrition and Dietary Info
Approximate nutrition per serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 480 kcal |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbs | 58 g |
| Fat | 26 g |
| Saturated Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 42 g |
| Sodium | 360 mg |
Expert Tips & Customizations
Use Room Temperature Ingredients
This ensures smooth batter and frosting.
Do Not Overmix
Overmixing leads to dense cake.
Cool Completely Before Frosting
Warm cake will melt the frosting.
Use Parchment Paper
This prevents sticking and ensures clean layers.
Balance the Color
Add food coloring gradually for desired shade.
FAQs
Is red velvet cake just chocolate cake?
No, it has only a mild cocoa flavor and a distinct tangy profile.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, bake the layers a day ahead and frost before serving.
Can I freeze red velvet cake?
Unfrosted layers freeze well for up to 2 months.
Why is vinegar used in red velvet cake?
It enhances texture and reacts with baking soda for lift.
Can I use cream cheese frosting alternatives?
Yes, buttercream can be used, but cream cheese is traditional.
How do I keep the cake moist?
Store it properly and avoid overbaking.
Conclusion
This Red Velvet Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting is a classic for good reason. Moist, tender, and perfectly balanced, it delivers both visual appeal and exceptional flavor. Whether served at celebrations or enjoyed as a weekend treat, this cake remains a reliable, crowd-pleasing favorite that never goes out of style.
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