Best 4 The Infamous Red Velvet Cake Recipes

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Indulge in the delightful world of red velvet cake, a timeless classic that has captured the hearts of dessert enthusiasts for generations. This iconic cake is renowned for its velvety texture, vibrant red color, and delectable cream cheese frosting. Originating in the United States during the 19th century, red velvet cake has evolved into a symbol of celebration, often gracing special occasions and holidays. Its striking appearance and irresistible taste have made it a favorite among bakers and dessert lovers alike.

Within this comprehensive guide, you'll find a collection of carefully curated red velvet cake recipes, each offering a unique twist on this beloved dessert. From the traditional Southern-style red velvet cake with its buttermilk base and tangy cream cheese frosting to the modern interpretations infused with unique flavors like chocolate, espresso, and even beetroot, these recipes cater to every palate and preference. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, this article has everything you need to create a stunning and delicious red velvet cake that will impress your family and friends.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

THE BEST RED VELVET CAKE RECIPE



The BEST Red Velvet Cake Recipe image

I might be biased, but I think I've found the BEST red velvet cake recipe! This cake comes out so fluffy and moist, and the homemade cream cheese frosting is perfectly sweet. Try it out for yourself!

Provided by I Heart Recipes

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk (at room temperature)
2 large eggs (at room temperature)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp white distilled vinegar
2 tsp unsweetened baking cocoa
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 oz red food coloring
16 oz cream cheese (softened)
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
8 cups powdered sugar
1 tbsp milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions

Steps:

  • Combine the flour, salt, baking soda, and unsweetened cocoa into a large mixing bowl and sift/whisk together.
  • In a separate bowl, crack open the eggs, and beat them.
  • Pour the sugar, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract into the bowl with the eggs, and mix until everything is nice and creamy.
  • Slowly combine the wet, ingredients with dry ingredient. Be sure to mix on a low speed!
  • Once everything is manageable, switch from mixing the cake batter to folding it.
  • Next, add it the vinegar, and red food coloring.
  • Fold in until all of the cake batter is red, and there are no streaks.
  • Spray two 9 inch cake pans with baking spray, OR grease and flour them.
  • Pour an equal amount of cake batter into each cake pan.
  • Shake and tap the pans to release any air bubbles, then let sit for 5 minutes.
  • Bake each cake on 325 F, for 25-30 minutes.
  • Remove the cakes from the cake pans, and place them on cooling racks.
  • While the cakes are cooling, make the frosting.
  • In a large bowl combine the butter, and cream cheese.
  • Cream the two ingredients together, then slowly adding in the powdered sugar, but only 1 cup at a time.
  • Add in the vanilla extract, and milk.
  • Mix until the frosting is nice and creamy
  • Once the cakes are completely cool, frost them.

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

THE BEST RED VELVET CAKE



The Best Red Velvet Cake image

Our classic red velvet cake is a true showstopper. It includes brown sugar for added flavor and moisture, as well as buttermilk for tang and tenderness. The homemade cream cheese frosting is rich and smooth thanks to the addition of butter.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 4h

Yield 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

Nonstick cooking spray
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (see Cook's Note)
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 cups buttermilk, well shaken, at room temperature
1 tablespoon red gel food coloring
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 large eggs, at room temperature
Four 8-ounce blocks cream cheese, at room temperature
3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
4 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • For the cake: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line the bottoms with parchment paper rounds and lightly coat the paper with nonstick spray.
  • Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a medium bowl. Whisk together the buttermilk, food coloring and vanilla in a second medium bowl.
  • Beat the granulated sugar, brown sugar and butter in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or a large bowl if using an electric hand mixer) on medium-high speed until very light in color and fluffy, about 5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. With the mixer still running, slowly add the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Reduce the speed to low. Add the dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating with the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients; mix until smooth. Scrape the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
  • Bake until the cakes are slightly puffed, and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the centers, 20 to 25 minutes. Let the cakes cool in their pans on a wire rack for 30 minutes, then turn them out onto the rack to cool completely.
  • For the frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on high speed (or a large bowl if using a hand mixer) until smooth, about 1 minute. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the speed to low and gradually mix in the confectioners' sugar. Once all the sugar has been added, increase the speed to high and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  • To assemble the cake: Place one cake, domed-side down, on a platter. Spread 1 1/2 cups of the frosting evenly over the top. Place the remaining cake, domed-side up, on top. Spread the top with 1 1/2 cups of the frosting. Frost the sides of the cake with another 1 1/2 cups frosting and smooth out completely to make an even crumb coat. (It's ok if some of the cake shows through. This is just a base layer.) Refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the frosting set.
  • Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake, swirling decoratively. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

THE INFAMOUS RED VELVET CAKE



The Infamous Red Velvet Cake image

I know there's a lot of hype about Red Velvet Cakes, But I make this cake for a living. I make about 12-15 cakes a week for local restaurants, and an additional 100 to 150 between Thanksgiving and Christmas (sometimes, with a sad face, I have to turn away orders). So get in the kitchen with a smile on your face, and let's get...

Provided by Tammy Hall

Categories     Cakes

Time 1h5m

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 1/2 c vegetable oil
2 1/2 c all purpose flour
3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa (powder)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 c sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
1 oz red food coloring
3 Tbsp luke warm water
1 c buttermilk
1 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp white vinegar
**cream cheese frosting**
1 pkg cream cheese
1 stick unsalted butter
1 box confectioners' sugar
1 Tbsp vanilla extract

Steps:

  • 1. 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. I use Non stick spray to coat two 8-by-2-inch pans or (use additional butter not included in recipe to coat pans). In a medium bowl sift together flour and baking powder; and set aside.
  • 2. In a different bowl combine oil and sugar and beat for (approx. 15 mins). Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla, salt, food coloring and water; beat scraping down the sides of the bowl, until well combined. Add reserved dry ingredients in additions, alternating with the buttermilk; beat on low speed until well combined.
  • 3. In a small bowl stir together baking soda and vinegar; add to batter. Beat on medium speed for 10 seconds. Be sure not to over beat. Divide batter between prepared pans, and bake until a butter knife inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, (approx 25-30 mins) depending on your oven the aluminum pans takes approx. 30 mins and non stick pans 22-25 minutes.
  • 4. **Mixing of Cream cheese frosting**
  • 5. Add all ingredients together in one bowl and mix until all ingredients are well blended, and the icing is thick and smooth. (do not over mix as the icing will be runny and the cake won't look smooth)
  • 6. After the cake cools, use a knife to cut off the top of one cake (this will be the bottom half of the cake) and ice the cake with the frosting. Place the second cake on top and ice top and sides of cake to a smooth. Enjoy!!!

Tips:

  • Use high-quality cocoa powder: This is the key to a rich, flavorful red velvet cake. Look for a cocoa powder that is labeled "natural" or "unsweetened."
  • Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing can result in a tough, dense cake. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Let the batter rest: Allowing the batter to rest for a few minutes before baking will help it develop a better flavor and texture.
  • Bake the cake at a moderate temperature: A moderate oven temperature will help to prevent the cake from drying out.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting: This will help to prevent the frosting from melting.

Conclusion:

Red velvet cake is a classic dessert that is perfect for any occasion. With its moist, tender crumb and rich, flavorful frosting, it's sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a special treat, give this recipe a try.

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