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The Best Southern Style Moist Red Velvet Cake from Scratch with Classic Cream Cheese Frosting

A moist slice of vibrant red velvet cake layered and covered in thick white cream cheese frosting.
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Make a truly moist and fluffy red velvet cake from scratch. This authentic Southern recipe uses buttermilk and cocoa for the perfect tender crumb, topped with a rich, classic cream cheese frosting. It is an easy baking recipe perfect for birthdays or Valentine’s Day desserts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon red food coloring (liquid or gel)
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil and granulated sugar until combined.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and red food coloring.
  4. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the vinegar and baking soda until foamy. Add this mixture to the wet ingredients.
  5. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix only until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
  7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. To make the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.
  10. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  11. Once the cakes are completely cool, frost and stack the layers to create your showstopping dessert.

Notes

  • For the most vibrant red velvet cake color, use a good quality gel food coloring.
  • Authentic Southern red velvet cake gets its slight tang from the reaction between buttermilk and vinegar, so do not skip these ingredients.
  • You can make this an easy red velvet cake by preparing the batter in one bowl, mixing the wet ingredients first, then adding the dry ingredients.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://afripaket.com/red-velvet-cake-from-scratch-moist-recipe/