homemade Red Velvet Cake that is not only moist and buttery but also topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. This delightful dessert is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a birthday celebration or a cozy family gathering. With its unique taste, thanks to a hint of cocoa and the use of homemade buttermilk, this cake is sure to impress!
Ingredients
For the Red Velvet Cake
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 ½ tablespoons red food coloring (liquid)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk (homemade or store-bought)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 12 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 8 ounces unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 26 ounces powdered sugar (sifted)
Grocery List & Estimated Costs in New York
| Ingredient | Quantity | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Unsalted butter | 20 ounces | $5.00 |
| Granulated sugar | 3 cups | $1.50 |
| Eggs | 2 large | $0.20 |
| Vegetable oil | ¼ cup | $0.30 |
| Unsweetened cocoa powder | 1 tablespoon | $0.10 |
| Red food coloring | 2 ½ tablespoons | $3.00 |
| Pure vanilla extract | 2 teaspoons | $0.50 |
| White vinegar | 1 tablespoon | $0.05 |
| All-purpose flour | 2 ½ cups | $0.80 |
| Baking soda | 1 teaspoon | $0.01 |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon | $0.01 |
| Buttermilk | 1 cup | $0.80 |
| Cream cheese | 12 ounces | $3.00 |
| Powdered sugar | 26 ounces | $2.00 |
Total Estimated Cost: Approximately $18.27
Cooking Time
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 40 minutes
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then add the vegetable oil, vanilla extract, red food coloring, vinegar, and buttermilk; mix until combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large bowl, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix until well combined, then add vanilla extract and salt.
- Frost the Cake: Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate and spread a layer of cream cheese frosting on top. Place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake.
- Serve & Enjoy! Slice into pieces and serve your delicious Red Velvet Cake!
Tips & Notes
- For homemade buttermilk, combine one cup of milk with one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice; let it sit for about five minutes.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing.
- If you prefer a deeper red color, you can adjust the amount of red food coloring used.
Nutritional Information (per slice)
Assuming this recipe yields approximately 12 slices:
- Calories: ~300 kcal
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Sugars: 32g
- Protein: 3g
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