Southern Red Velvet Cake Recipe

If you’re craving a cake that combines a velvety texture with a rich, tangy frosting and a stunning red hue, look no further than this Southern Red Velvet Cake Recipe. It’s a timeless Southern classic that brings warmth and sweetness to any occasion, from birthdays to simple Sunday gatherings. The moist crumb soaked with buttermilk and the hint of cocoa make this cake impossible to resist, while the cream cheese frosting adds just the right touch of creamy decadence. Once you try this, it’ll undoubtedly become one of your favorite go-to recipes for sharing heartfelt moments with friends and family.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Southern Red Velvet Cake Recipe plays a key role, from creating the perfect crumb to achieving that iconic vivid color. These simple but essential ingredients work together to ensure the taste, texture, and visual appeal of your cake are nothing short of spectacular.

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The base of the cake providing structure and crumb.
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with moisture retention.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda: A leavening agent that helps the cake rise beautifully.
• 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness.
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder: Adds a subtle chocolate depth that defines red velvet.
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender.
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature: Offers acidity to react with baking soda and boosts moistness.
• 2 large eggs, room temperature: Provide structure and help bind the ingredients.
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring: Achieves the distinctive red velvet color that makes this cake a showstopper.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a luscious aromatic note.
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar: Enhances the tang and reacts with baking soda for lift.
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened: The star of the frosting for that rich, tangy flavor.
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Balanced richness for the frosting’s silky texture.
• 4 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to perfect spreadability.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting): Completes the frosting with warm, inviting notes.

How to Make Southern Red Velvet Cake Recipe

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans

Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans; this ensures your cake layers come out clean and intact. Proper oven temperature is key to even baking and a perfect rise.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. This even distribution of dry ingredients is essential for a uniform crumb and that classic red velvet flavor.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, blend the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar until smooth. The buttermilk and vinegar work magic together to give that slight tang while reacting with the baking soda for a light, airy texture.

Step 4: Make the Batter

Gradually add your dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. The key here is to avoid overmixing, which can make your cake tough. A few lumps won’t hurt and will keep that tender crumb intact.

Step 5: Bake the Cake Layers

Divide the batter evenly between your two prepared pans. Pop them in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs. This is where patience rewards you with beautifully risen layers.

Step 6: Cool the Cakes

Let the cakes cool in their pans for about 10 minutes, making them easier to handle. Then, transfer them to wire racks to cool completely. Cooling is important to prevent your frosting from melting upon contact.

Step 7: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat softened cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until silky smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until fluffy and luscious. Finish with vanilla extract to round out the flavor. This frosting is the perfect partner to your Southern Red Velvet Cake Recipe — rich, tangy, and irresistibly creamy.

Step 8: Assemble the Cake

Lay one cake layer on your serving plate and spread a generous amount of frosting on top. Add the second layer, then frost the top and sides evenly. The look of this layered cake with its striking red crumb and creamy white frosting is simply stunning and sure to wow your guests.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Slice into that luscious cake, savor the tender crumb paired with tangy frosting, and share the love. This Southern Red Velvet Cake Recipe is pure joy on a plate and perfect for heartfelt celebrations or everyday indulgences.

How to Serve Southern Red Velvet Cake Recipe

Garnishes

Try topping your cake with fresh raspberries or a sprinkle of edible gold dust for that extra sparkle. Crushed pecans or a few whole ones around the edges add a delightful crunch and nuttiness, complementing the soft texture beautifully.

Side Dishes

A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or freshly whipped cream pairs wonderfully with each slice, adding creamy contrast. Fresh fruit like strawberries or a citrus salad refreshes the palate and balances the cake’s richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party twist, serve your Southern Red Velvet Cake Recipe as mini cupcakes or in layered parfait cups, alternating cake crumbles with frosting and fresh fruit. For elegant gatherings, decorate the top with piped rosettes and edible flowers for a truly memorable centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover any leftover cake tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This keeps the frosting fresh and the cake moist. It’s best enjoyed within 3 to 4 days for peak flavor and texture.

Freezing

You can freeze the unfrosted cake layers wrapped securely in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw in the fridge overnight before frosting to maintain the best texture and taste.

Reheating

If you want to warm a slice, let it come to room temperature first, then warm gently in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. This will bring out the cake’s softness without melting the frosting.

FAQs

Can I substitute the buttermilk?

Yes! If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes before using. This mimics the acidity of buttermilk and helps with the cake’s tender crumb.

Why is cocoa powder used in red velvet cake?

While the amount is small, cocoa powder adds a slight chocolate undertone essential to the red velvet flavor profile. It also reacts with the acidic ingredients to enhance the cake’s color and texture.

Is red food coloring necessary?

The red food coloring is what gives Southern Red Velvet Cake its iconic vibrant color. While you can reduce it or omit it for a milder tint, traditional red velvet wouldn’t be quite the same without it.

Can I make this cake vegan?

With some substitutions like using plant-based milk with vinegar, egg replacers, and vegan cream cheese and butter, you could adapt the recipe. However, it will slightly change the texture and flavor.

How do I avoid my frosting melting?

Make sure your cake layers are completely cool before frosting, and keep the cake refrigerated if you’re not serving right away. Warm cakes cause the cream cheese frosting to soften too much and lose its structure.

Final Thoughts

This Southern Red Velvet Cake Recipe is a true celebration of Southern charm and dessert brilliance wrapped in one beautiful cake. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying this recipe for the first time, the combination of a tender crumb and creamy frosting will win you over. So, grab your apron, indulge yourself, and spread the joy with a cake everyone will remember and ask for again and again.

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