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Red velvet cake slice with cream cheese frosting on a white plate, with red roses in the background.

Moist Red Velvet Cake Recipe

A rich, moist, and beautifully red velvet cake layered with creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting. This classic cake has the perfect balance of cocoa and vanilla flavors, making it a showstopper for any occasion!
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American Southern Cuisine
Keyword: Birthday Red Velvet Cake, Red Velvet Cake, Red velvet cake ingredients, Red velvet cake recipe, Simple red velvet cake recipe
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 12 Slices
Calories: 685kcal
Cost: $25-30

Equipment

  • 1 3 (9-inch) round cake pans
  • 1 Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • 1 Large mixing bowls (2)
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • 1 Sifter or fine-mesh strainer
  • 1 Rubber spatula
  • 1 Offset spatula for frosting
  • 1 Wire cooling racks
  • 1 Parchment paper
  • 1 Cake stand or serving plate
  • 1 Whisk
  • 1 Cake leveler or serrated knife (optional)

Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 3 cups cake flour
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons natural cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon fine salt
  • 3 Large eggs, room temperature
  • 1¾ cups vegetable oil
  • 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons red food coloring
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 24 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1½ cups unsalted butter, softened
  • 6 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 9-inch cake pans.
  • Whisk dry ingredients: flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
  • Beat eggs until foamy. Add sugar gradually until pale.
  • Mix in oil, buttermilk, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar.
  • Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.
  • Divide batter between pans. Bake 25-30 minutes.
  • Cool in pans 10 minutes, then on wire racks.
  • For frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy.
  • Layer cakes with frosting between each layer. Frost sides and top.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients
  • Don't overmix the batter
  • Cool layers completely before frosting

Nutrition

Serving: 165g | Calories: 685kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 390mg | Potassium: 150mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 52g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 600mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 1mg