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Classic Southern Red Velvet Cake Recipe Easy Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting

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A rich and colorful classic Southern red velvet cake with a tender crumb and tangy cream cheese frosting, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ cups (360ml) buttermilk, shaken well (or 1 ½ cups milk + 1 ½ tbsp white vinegar, let sit 5 minutes)
  • 1 ½ cups (360ml) vegetable oil (canola or sunflower oil)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) red food coloring (liquid or gel)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 16 ounces (450g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper circles.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Whisk to combine and aerate.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar until smooth.
  4. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Rotate pans halfway through baking.
  7. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto wire racks and remove parchment paper. Cool completely before frosting.
  8. To make the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy, about 3-5 minutes.
  9. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed to avoid a sugar cloud, then increase speed until fluffy.
  10. Beat in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Adjust sweetness if needed.
  11. Assemble the cake by placing one layer on a serving plate and spreading a generous layer of frosting on top.
  12. Add the second cake layer and apply a thin crumb coat all over the cake. Chill for 15 minutes.
  13. Finish frosting the top and sides smoothly. Chill again if firmer frosting is desired before slicing.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Do not overmix batter to keep cake tender. Chill crumb coat before final frosting to avoid crumbs. If frosting is too soft, chill and re-whip before spreading.

Nutrition

Keywords: red velvet cake, classic southern cake, cream cheese frosting, easy red velvet, homemade cake, southern dessert

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/classic-southern-red-velvet-cake-recipe-easy-homemade-cream-cheese-frosting/