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A red velvet birthday cake with cream cheese frosting, decorated with white swirls and fresh berries on a white stand.

Elegant Red Velvet Cake

Adam
This Elegant Red Velvet Cake is a rich, moist dessert with a perfect balance of cocoa and vanilla flavors. Topped with silky cream cheese frosting, it’s an irresistible treat for birthdays and special celebrations!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 380 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Cake

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cocoa powder
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp red food coloring

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz 225g cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

Preheat the Oven:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.

Mix the Dry Ingredients:

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder until well combined.

Combine the Wet Ingredients:

  • In another bowl, beat the eggs, then add buttermilk, vegetable oil, vinegar, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Mix until smooth.

Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:

  • Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until the batter is smooth and well combined. Do not overmix.

Bake the Cake:

  • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 28-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool the Cakes:

  • Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until fluffy.

Frost and Decorate:

  • Spread a layer of frosting on top of one cake layer, place the second layer on top, and frost the entire cake. Smooth it out and decorate as desired.
  • Your Elegant Red Velvet Cake is ready to serve! Enjoy!

Notes

  • Calories: 380
  • Fat: 18g
    • Saturated Fat: 10g
    • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 65mg
  • Sodium: 300mg
  • Carbohydrates: 50g
    • Fiber: 1g
    • Sugars: 35g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Vitamin A: 8%
  • Calcium: 6%
  • Iron: 8%
Note: Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on portion size and ingredient brands.
Keyword Birthday cake, Elegant Red Velvet Cake, Moist cake, Red velvet cake