Best 4 Authentic Red Velvet Cake Recipes

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Indulge in the delightful decadence of our authentic red velvet cake recipes, a classic Southern treasure that has captivated hearts for generations. This iconic cake boasts a stunning crimson hue, a moist and velvety crumb, and a luscious cream cheese frosting that strikes the perfect balance between tangy and sweet. Our collection features three variations of this timeless dessert: a classic red velvet cake recipe that embodies the traditional Southern charm, a gluten-free red velvet cake recipe for those with dietary restrictions, and a red velvet bundt cake recipe that adds a touch of elegance to any occasion. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, our detailed instructions and helpful tips will guide you through the process of creating this stunning masterpiece. So, prepare to embark on a culinary journey as we delve into the secrets of crafting the perfect red velvet cake.

Let's cook with our recipes!

THE REAL RED VELVET CAKE



The Real Red Velvet Cake image

Historically, red velvet cake was just chocolate cake tinted red from the acid in cocoa powder, not from food coloring. Nowadays most cocoa powders are alkalized, as in stripped of acid. Look for a non-alkalized one for this old-fashioned recipe. Completing the classic look is a coat of bright white ermine frosting, cooked the old-fashioned way.

Provided by Smart Cookie

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Red Velvet Cake Recipes

Time 3h25m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 17

cooking spray
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups cake flour
½ cup cocoa powder
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 ½ cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 ¾ cups brown sugar
1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, softened
3 eggs, at room temperature
1 cup white sugar
1 cup whole milk
½ cup all-purpose flour, sifted
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (163 degrees C). Line the bottoms of three 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper. Spray the sides with cooking spray.
  • Sift all-purpose flour, cake flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl.
  • Microwave buttermilk just until warm, about 30 seconds. Stir in vanilla extract.
  • Beat brown sugar and butter together in a bowl until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly before each addition. Blend in the flour mixture and buttermilk in 3 additions until fully combined. Let mixer run on low for 5 minutes. Distribute the cake batter between the prepared cake pans.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center the cakes comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.
  • Let cool for 15 minutes in the pans. Turn cakes out and let cool completely on a wire rack, at least 30 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  • Meanwhile, whisk sugar, milk, flour, and salt together in a medium saucepan for the frosting. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and begins to simmer, about 10 minutes. Pour into a medium bowl and chill for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Beat butter until smooth, about 5 minutes. Slowly add the milk and flour mixture, 1/4 cup at a time, beating in between each addition and scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally. Mix in the vanilla extract.
  • Level the cake layers before assembling the cake. Scoop about 2/3 cup of frosting onto the first layer and spread into an even layer. Repeat with the second and third cake layers. Frost the outsides of the cake with thin layer of frosting to catch any crumbs and chill for 20 minutes.
  • Finish frosting the cake with remaining frosting. Cut and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 669.3 calories, Carbohydrate 89.1 g, Cholesterol 117 mg, Fat 33.8 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 5.9 g, SaturatedFat 21 g, Sodium 312.4 mg, Sugar 64.8 g

GRANDMA'S RED VELVET CAKE



Grandma's Red Velvet Cake image

It's just not Christmas at our house until this festive cake appears. This is different from other red velvets I've had; the icing is as light as snow. -Kathryn Davison, Charlotte, North Carolina

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 14 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 bottles (1 ounce each) red food coloring
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups cake flour
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
FROSTING:
1/2 cup cold water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 cups butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in food coloring, vinegar and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition., Pour into 2 greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool layers 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. , For frosting, combine water and cornstarch in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until thickened and opaque, 2-3 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Beat butter and vanilla until light and fluffy. Beat in cornstarch mixture. Gradually add confectioners' sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 595 calories, Fat 34g fat (21g saturated fat), Cholesterol 115mg cholesterol, Sodium 564mg sodium, Carbohydrate 71g carbohydrate (52g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

OLD-FASHIONED RED VELVET CAKE



Old-Fashioned Red Velvet Cake image

Found this on the internet after obsessing over finding the perfect recipe for a traditional red velvet cake.

Provided by LuvMyBabies

Categories     Dessert

Time 45m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour
2 tablespoons good quality cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
2 ounces red food coloring
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup melted marshmallows (you may use Fluff marshmallow creme to make it easier)
1 (1 lb) box confectioners' sugar
1 cup chopped pecans

Steps:

  • For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Grease and flour 2 (9-inch) cake pans.
  • In a medium bowl or on a piece of waxed paper, sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
  • In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter.
  • Beat in eggs one at a time.
  • Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk.
  • Beat in food coloring and vinegar, then add vanilla.
  • Spread the batter evenly in the pans.
  • Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Turn out onto a rack to cool.
  • Frosting: Blend cream cheese and butter together in a mixing bowl.
  • Add marshmallows and sugar and blend.
  • Fold in nuts.
  • Spread between layers and on top and sides of cooled cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 970.4, Fat 44.6, SaturatedFat 21.6, Cholesterol 140, Sodium 745, Carbohydrate 138.2, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 99.7, Protein 9.7

SOUTHERN RED VELVET CAKE



Southern Red Velvet Cake image

Bake a classic Southern Red Velvet Cake recipe from Food Network that's slathered in cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with crushed pecans.

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 1h

Yield about 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

Vegetable oil for the pans
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon fine salt
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tablespoons red food coloring (1 ounce)
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
Crushed pecans, for garnish
1 pound cream cheese, softened
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup), softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil and flour three 9 by 1 1/2-inch round cake pans.
  • In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In another large bowl, whisk together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla.
  • Using a standing mixer, mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined and a smooth batter is formed.
  • Divide the cake batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Place the pans in the oven evenly spaced apart. Bake, rotating the pans halfway through the cooking, until the cake pulls away from the side of the pans, and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
  • Remove the cakes from the oven and run a knife around the edges to loosen them from the sides of the pans. One at a time, invert the cakes onto a plate and then re-invert them onto a cooling rack, rounded-sides up. Let cool completely.
  • Frost the cake. Place 1 layer, rounded-side down, in the middle of a rotating cake stand. Using a palette knife or offset spatula spread some of the Cream Cheese Frosting over the top of the cake. (Spread enough frosting to make a 1/4 to 1/2-inch layer.) Carefully set another layer on top, rounded-side down, and repeat. Top with the remaining layer and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting. Sprinkle the top with the pecans.
  • In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand-held electric mixer in a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, sugar, and butter on low speed until incorporated. Increase the speed to high, and mix until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. (Occasionally turn the mixer off, and scrape the down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.)
  • Reduce the speed of the mixer to low. Add the vanilla, raise the speed to high and mix briefly until fluffy (scrape down the bowl occasionally). Store in the refrigerator until somewhat stiff, before using. May be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor and texture.
  • Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature before starting. This will help them combine evenly and smoothly.
  • Be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can make the cake tough.
  • Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting. This will help the frosting set properly.
  • For a more intense red color, use red food coloring gel instead of liquid food coloring.
  • If you don't have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
  • To make the frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese together until light and fluffy. Then, gradually add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until stiff peaks form.
  • For a creamier frosting, use heavy cream instead of milk.
  • If you want a chocolate frosting, add 1/2 cup of cocoa powder to the frosting recipe.

Conclusion:

This authentic red velvet cake recipe is a classic for a reason. It's moist, fluffy, and has a delicious cream cheese frosting. With a few simple tips, you can make this cake at home and impress your friends and family. So, preheat your oven and get ready to bake!

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