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I’m very excited to share this recipe for Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting with you today, but first, I have something to say that may shock you…
I’m not a huge fan of red velvet.
I know it’s tremendously popular. But most red velvet type desserts that I’ve tasted have always been bland, dry, or sickeningly sweet. Plus, there can never be enough chocolate in my book so the tease of cocoa in red velvet cake kind of angers me if I’m being honest!
I’m happy to say I created a fabulous recipe that even I enjoy eating. This doesn’t mean I plan on giving up my chocolate cake anytime soon, but now I have a go-to red velvet cake recipe.
This cake is absolutely perfect for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, 4th of July, Christmas, or any time the red velvet flavor craving strikes. I wanted to make this recipe super easy, so you don’t need any cake flour!
How to Make Red Velvet Cake
What is Red Velvet Cake? Is Red Velvet Cake Just a Chocolate Cake with Red Food Coloring?
Red Velvet Cake is a popular dish in the Southern United States. Although traditional recipes vary from modern ones, it’s now typically made with a small amount of cocoa powder, buttermilk, vinegar, and red food coloring as staple ingredients. Its name references both its color as well as its soft, velvety smooth texture. It’s not really a chocolate cake, but simply has a hint of chocolate flavor.
Best Red Velvet Cake Baking Tip: Use ROOM TEMPERATURE Ingredients!
With the exception of the hot coffee / hot water, you really want to make sure your eggs and buttermilk are brought completely to room temperature. This will help to form a uniform and cohesive batter and cake.
Why Use Hot Coffee or Hot Water in a Cake Recipe?
Just like in my Best Chocolate Cake recipe, this Red Velvet Cake uses hot coffee as a staple ingredient. If you don’t have coffee, you can just use hot water. The coffee does help to enhance that hint of chocolate flavor, and the heat of the liquid helps to ‘bloom’ the cocoa, bringing out its full flavor.
What if I Don’t Have Buttermilk?
Buttermilk works best in this recipe to provide a rich and tender cake. It is traditional (along with the vinegar too!). You can learn more about the science of buttermilk in my Buttermilk 101 article here. I would not recommend using a buttermilk substitute. If you must, use whole milk instead but note the cake’s final taste and texture will be different.
What Kind of Food Coloring is Best for Red Velvet Cake?
I would highly recommend using gel food coloring for red velvet cake and not liquid or ‘natural’ food coloring. You’ll need at least 3 teaspoons, possibly more depending on the brand, so don’t buy just one small bottle (0.75 oz). Opt for a larger bottle or buy two smaller ones. I like Americolor or Chefmaster gel food coloring.
Overview Instructions of How to Make Red Velvet Cake:
Make the Red Velvet Cake Batter:
- Prepare three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment rounds, spraying parchment and sides of pans generously with nonstick cooking spray.
- Whisk together the hot coffee and cocoa powder, setting aside for 5 minutes. Whisk in a separate medium bowl the dry ingredients of the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil, and melted butter. Add in eggs and egg yolk, whisking until well combined. Add buttermilk, vanilla, and food coloring, and whisk to combine.
- Whisk in the vinegar and coffee mixture. Sift the flour mixture in thirds into the wet ingredients, folding until incorporated.
- Pour the batter evenly between your prepared pans. Tap the bottoms against the counter several times.
- Bake at 325°F for 25-30 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean.
- Place the cake pans on a cooling rack. Once cool to the touch, run a thin knife around the edges to loosen the cake, and invert onto the cooling racks. Cool completely.
Make the Cream Cheese Icing:
- Using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), beat the cream cheese and butter on medium-high speed until light, creamy, and smooth.
- Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure no clumps remain.
- Add vanilla and beat until combined.
- Gradually add in the confectioners’ sugar on low speed and beat until the buttercream frosting is fluffy.
Assemble:
- Lay one of the cake layers flat-side up on a cake plate or pedestal.
- Use about a third of the frosting to fill the bottom cake layer, then top with the second cake layer and repeat. Place the final cake layer flat-side up. Use the rest of the frosting to ice the sides and top of the cake, using an offset spatula to smooth the icing.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve!
What Kind of Baking Pans to Use for Red Velvet Cake?
Use three 8-inch cake pans for this recipe. My favorite brand of cake pan is Fat Daddio’s, they bake evenly and wash up easily. Don’t use darkly coated nonstick cake pans or you may end up with dry or overbaked cake edges.
Can I Use 9-inch Cake Pans Instead?
Although this recipe was specifically designed for 8-inch cake pans, you may be able to bake in two 9-inch cake pans. Fill each 3/4 full and increase the baking time by about 5 to 10 minutes because there will be more batter in each pan.
How to Prevent Red Velvet Cake from Sticking:
Be sure to line each cake pan with parchment rounds. I like these ones which have tabs to easily pull out the baked cake layers. Spray the sides of the pans and the parchment generously with nonstick cooking spray.
What Kind of Frosting is Best with Red Velvet Cake?
Cream cheese frosting is the classic choice for red velvet cake! Its tangy flavor complements the sweetness of the cake layers. If you’d prefer something more sturdy or want to make special cake decorations, opt for my Best Buttercream instead.
Favorite Tools for Layer Cakes:
Can I Make Red Velvet Cupcakes Instead?
Although this recipe was developed for cake layers, you can turn it into cupcakes in a pinch. Divide the batter among about 24 cupcake cavities, filling each 3/4 full, and bake for 17 to 20 minutes.
How to Make Cake Ahead of Time & How to Freeze Red Velvet Cake:
You can wrap unfrosted un-cut cooled cake layers completely in several layers of plastic wrap. Place inside a freezer bag or airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge (do not thaw at room temperature or you will end up with mushy cake).
How to Store Homemade Red Velvet Cake Recipe:
Cover with a cake keeper and store at room temperature for up to 6 hours, then refrigerate for up to 3 days.
More Red Velvet Recipes:
For the cake:
-
1/2
cup
of plain hot coffee or boiling water
-
1/4
cup
(21 grams) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
-
2 1/4
cups
(279 grams) all-purpose flour
-
1/2
teaspoon
baking powder
-
1
teaspoon
baking soda
-
1
teaspoon
fine sea salt
-
1/4
teaspoon
ground cinnamon,
optional
-
2
cups
(400 grams) granulated sugar
-
1/2
cup
(109 grams) fresh vegetable oil
-
1
stick (113 grams) unsalted butter,
melted
-
2
large eggs,
at room temperature
-
1
large egg yolk,
at room temperature
-
1
cup
buttermilk,
at room temperature
-
2
teaspoons
vanilla extract
-
3
teaspoons
red gel food coloring,
plus more if needed*
-
1
teaspoon
distilled white vinegar
For the cream cheese frosting:
-
16
ounces
(454 grams) cream cheese,
at room temperature
-
2
sticks (227 grams) unsalted butter,
at room temperature
-
2
teaspoons
vanilla extract
-
4
cups
(500 grams) powdered sugar,
sifted
For the cake:
-
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment rounds and spray parchment and sides of pans generously with nonstick cooking spray.
-
In a glass measuring cup, whisk the hot coffee and cocoa powder. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes.
-
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
-
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil, and melted butter. Add in the eggs and yolk and whisk for twenty seconds, or until very well combined. Add in the buttermilk, vanilla and food coloring and whisk to combine. Whisk in the vinegar and coffee mixture. Using a fine mesh sieve, sift the flour mixture into the batter in three additions, whisking until each addition is incorporated.
-
Divide the batter equally between the prepared pans. Tap the bottoms of the pans against the counter several times to release any air bubbles.
-
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick comes out clean. It’s normal for the cake to look slightly spongy on top. Place the cake pans on cooling racks. When the pans are cool enough to touch, run a thin knife around the edges of the pans to loosen the cakes. Invert onto the wire racks. Let cool completely.
For the frosting:
-
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter on medium-high speed until very light, creamy, and smooth. Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl to ensure no clumps remain. Add in the vanilla and beat until combined. On low speed, gradually add in the sugar and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. If the frosting is too thick, add a splash of milk or cream. If it’s too thin, add more sifted powdered sugar.
To assemble:
-
Lay one cake layer flat-side up on a cake plate or pedestal. Tuck in strips of baking paper under the cake edges to keep the plate clean.
-
Use about a third of the frosting to fill the bottom cake layer, then top with the second cake layer and repeat. Place the final cake layer flat-side up. Use the rest of the frosting to ice the whole cake. Serve.
-
The cake can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
*Don’t skimp on the food coloring. You will likely need more than one bottle if using a small container. I prefer Americolor or Chefmaster.
This post was originally published in 2013 and updated in 2022 with recipe improvements and new photos. Photos by Ashley McLaughlin.
February Baking Challenge
This recipe was the February 2022 selection for our monthly baking challenge! Every month you can join the challenge by baking the recipe and snapping a photo for a chance to win prizes! Learn more about my monthly baking challenges here. Check out some of the cakes (and cupcakes!) baked by you guys:
My go to red velvet cake recipe
Amazing! So happy to hear that 🙂
This was a really great recipe. Will surely make again!
Tried it and it’s so moist and delicious!
So happy you enjoyed this recipe, Selina!
Why the recipe is different in printed version?
Hi Mazlina! Can you please let me know what you’re seeing differently? I don’t see any differences on my end. Thanks!
AMAZINGGG
A MUST TRY
The cake turned out soo softt and moist and it was lived by everyone at the party
Yay! So happy to hear your cake was such a hit!
Loved this recipe. Will definitely make again
So happy you loved it, Jill!
I have 8 inch cake pans. How would you suggest adjusting the bake time? Thanks!!
Hi Ericka! This recipe uses 8-inch cake pans, so no need to adjust 🙂 If you meant to write 9-inch, please check out the pink tip box above the recipe for more details. Let us know what you think when you make your cake!
I love the details, you are great my dear big love from kuwait,I will made this recipe and send it.
I am a huge fan of Red Velvet cake and this recipe is my absolute favorite. The addition of the cinnamon is so subtle yet so powerful in rounding out the flavor story of the cake. The process is easy and the instructions are clear.
Thanks so much for being our cake tester, David! So happy you loved this recipe! 🙂
Hi Tessa- quick question. I have seen Lorann Red Velvet emulsion. Have you tried this and any thoughts on using that in place of the red food colouring?
Hi Lauren! Tessa has never used that product before, so she can’t say for sure!
This cake is delicious, and if you add the cinnamon it just gives it something unique and extra that makes the cake.
So happy you loved it, Haley! I completely agree with you!
What kind of unsweetened cocoa powder? Can it be dutch processed or does it need to be natural?
Hi Beth, we use unsweetened natural cocoa powder for this recipe!
Hey can I half this recepie? If so which pans should I use to bake?
Hi Sai! We haven’t tried that, so I can’t say for sure! Let us know how it goes if you give it a try, we’d love to know!
this made the most unbelievably moist cake! it was not too sweet and friends and family raved!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this cake recipe!
Fantastic Red Velvet cake, not too sweet! The frosting recipe is yummy! I will make half the frosting recipe next time, as it was too much for my preference and I ended up having extra.
So glad you enjoyed this cake!
what if i wanted to add walnuts how much would i add??
The best red-velvet cake there is. Not too sweet at all like many are. my entire family ADORE this
great for cake i ever taste. thanks for sharing this recipe.
hi
can i use caster sugar instead of granulated sugar…if yes how many grams?
Hi Tessa! I’m dying to try out this recipe, but here in Spain there is no buttermilk. Using a substitute would make a lot of difference in the cake? Which one would be the best to use?
I been making this same Red Velvet Cake recipe for over 4 years from Diva can Cook. This is the same recipe!!!!!
This became my go to recipe from the first time that I made by it. Nothing but rave reviews! I even converted a few people who swore they didn’t like red velvet cake. I like using LorAnn’s red velvet baking emulsion in my recipe. Uses very little color. Gone are the two ounce bottles of food coloring! Thanks so much for sharing.
Do you use King A AP flour?
Hello ! I made this as my birthday cake. For my first velvet cake ever I was sceptical of the vanilla/chocolate/coffee mix but I’m glad i followed the recipe for once because it is scrumptious ! But since I can’t follow a complete recipe to a T to save my life, I replaced half the cream cheese by greek yogurt (it was too much cream cheese for me) and it still tasted amazing !
Thanks for this recipe (and all the others) !
Hi Tessa, Thank You for all of your wonderful recipes. I live in Sweden, I was wondering what kind of measuring cup you use in your recipes, is it a metric cup or a US cup or is a UK cup?
Ive been baking alot of times and i tried different variations or chocolate cake..your recipe is really good in chocolate cake i have good compliments..Now im going to try ur recipe in red velvet cake!!!
Hi Tessa, This cake looks amazing, and although I am not a fan of red velvet, my best friend is and I wanted to surprise her with a cake on her birthday! I was wondering how the frosting holds up, and if you could keep it out of the fridge? I’m just concerned about the cream in it. Thanks 🙂
Tessa, how do I get the cream cheese to look at smooth? Don’t we require butter for it?
I don’t like coffee so I don’t own any. Is there a substitute for coffee and still taste good?
If I substitute the oil with butter should I use the same amount? I don’t reckon the butter would do anything but improve the taste?
Dear Tessa,
I saw your recipe and immediately recognized it as my all time favorite red velvet cake by “Divas Can Cook”. I notice you said “adopted from Adora’s box”. She mentioned in her post that she got it from ” Divas can cook”. I thought you might not have known this. Just thought I should let you know, so you can give the right person credit for creating such a wonderful cake 🙂
Not a real red velvet cake… icing is cream cheese… true red velvet has a european butter cream icing.
Hi tessa
I tried to make this cake but it’s color was brown more than red i didn’t know why 🙁
Exactly what kind of food coloring did you use?
i have made this cake a couple of times and it is THE BEST VELVET CAKE i have tasted…i don’t even like red velvet cake but this just melts in mouth…i got so many compliments when i made this…..i have one question about the colour though..i wanted to make a reddish red velvet instead of dark red so should i omit coffee and just use hot water or should i reduce the amount of colour…i get exact colour you have..i use sugar flair extra red…im making it in a day so please reply if u can thank you very much
If I were to add more cocoa powder, and ditch the food coloring, baking powder, and vinegar, would that for sure make a chocolate cake?
Dear Tessa,
I only began to learn to bake one month ago. This cake was my first try. I have since made 10 cakes using this recipe. I have a long waiting list of people who want one. I quote “this is the best red velvet cake we have ever tried”
I also have a friend who doesn’t like red velvet but she loved this cake. Thank you so much for putting this recipe together. I know you will appreciate this comment as much as I have appreciated all the comments from friends and family.
My wife also loves this cake (and that the fact that her Husband is baking it)
Thank you so much.
Is you red Velvet cupcake cupcake recipe better or is this one better?
They’re both great in their own ways!
I have a question for you – if I were to make these into cupcakes, do you know what the adjusted cooking time should be?
About 15 to 20 minutes.
Sorry Tessa, I hate oil in cakes 🙁 . It is absolutely nothing compared to the rich melt-in-your-mouth feel of butter. Can I use melted butter instead of oil in this recipe? Or just creamed butter and sugar?
I’ve never tried this recipe with butter instead of oil so I can’t say for sure. I’d definitely try creaming the butter and sugar together if you give it a go.
I made this cake and it turned out terrible! I’m not a novice baker either. It just had a very very oily, greasy taste to it. Not sure what the problem was, but it was definitely not a success over here 🙁
Can’t say I’ve ever seen anything call for 2 Tbsp of vanilla ~ before I add that much, is this correct or should it read 2 tsp.?
Thanks!
Hi Shannon, thanks for pointing that out! It is 2 teaspoons NOT 2 tablespoons – I fixed the error 🙂
I made this cake and it turned out really oily and tasted odd to me. Also, an two tablespoons of vanilla seems like entirely too much, are you sure that’s right?
Hi Megan, I’ve fixed the vanilla amount to 2 teaspoons. I once made red velvet cupcakes that had a weird oily taste and when I did some investigation to figure out why it was because my vegetable oil had expired. Maybe the same thing happened to you!
Could I omit the coffee?
Hello! This cake looks delicious and I plan on making it very soon. I live in Colorado, so I was wondering if you had high altitude adjustments.
Merry Christmas!
Nadiyah
I’d like to try this recipe, but 2 cups of liquid (1 c. oil, 1 c. buttermilk) sounds like too much in comparison to 2 c. flour. Just wan to make sure it’s not a misprint. Thanks.
Nope, no misprint. Feel free to read some of the comments above yours, this is a crowd pleasing recipe!
I made this Red Velvet Cake this pass weekend and I must say this truly is the very best I have ever made. Every one said it was great! I too have been looking for a moist Red Velvet Cake for a long time and I have found it.
I did not try the Cream Chees Frosting becasue I alread have one I love.
Love this cake. I am trying the Chocolate Cake next week and will let you know on that one as well.
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with all of us!
Merry Christmas!
Kathy
So glad to hear that!! Hope you enjoy the chocolate cake. Merry Christmas!
Found your recipe through Pinterest – and so glad I did! It was wonderful and has actually gotten better after being in the fridge a day.
I just wanted to say thanks for the great recipe!
Oh – the one tinnny problem I had was my cream cheese frosting was a little lumpy, but I’m guessing that was because it wasn’t very softened when I mixed it up! Rookie mistake. Still tasted deelish though and let’s face it, that’s all that matters! Thanks again 🙂 happy holidays!
Yes, sometimes too cold cream cheese can create lumps. You should be able to beat the heck out of this cream cheese frosting with an electric mixer until the lumps are gone, though. Glad you enjoyed the recipe otherwise!
This cake has turned out perfect for me every time 🙂
Thank you so much for this recipe I have been looking forever for one to come out completely red and this one is perfect!
As for people who are Canadian 1 1/4 cup is equal to 300 ml or 300 grams
And 12oz is roughly one package of cream cheese
I am Canadian but I studied to be a baker and know metric and imperial measuring systems
you make your coffee with milk or water?
Hi, How much tsp of coffee will I use for half a cup of water if I’ll be using(powdered or instant coffee). Thank you.
Hi Tessa
What brand of red food gel did you use in this recipe.
My mum used this recipe for my birthday cake and it turned out terrible. There was too much sugar and the no lining in the tin made it stick even more. And it wasn’t my mums baking as she has been baking for over 40 years and ran a cake business. Shame.
Hi Elizabeth,
If you look at other red velvet cake recipes you’ll find that 2 cups of sugar (what’s called for in this recipe) is about the average for the cake as it is meant to be sweet. Same with the icing, you need sugar to balance the tang of the cream cheese. You could try reducing the sugar by a 1/4 cup or a 1/2 cup to suit your flavor profile. As for the cake sticking… using butter and flour to coat the pan always works perfectly for me.
Hey Tessa! i tried this cake and it was absolutely amazing! the only thing is my icing was runny and i had a hard time icing the cake as i didnt have the stiffness. i left it in the fridge as well for about an hour and it was still runny. What did I do wrong? 🙁
Hmm… maybe the cream wasn’t whipped enough?
Sponge cakes are thought to be the first of the non-yeast-based cakes and rely primarily on trapped air in a protein matrix (generally of beaten eggs) to provide leavening, sometimes with a bit of baking powder or other chemical leaven added as insurance. Such cakes include the Italian/Jewish pan di Spagna and the French Génoise. Highly decorated sponge cakes with lavish toppings are sometimes called gateau; the French word for cake..
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I want to make this for my boyfriends birthday.I dont understand the fraction 11/4 cup of confectioners sugar?Also 12 ounces of greek yogurt? I dont have a scale in my house. Maybe its the diffrent metric systems because im canadian.
I have never made red velvet anything! can you believe it! So i NEED to make this!
I’m not the biggest red velvet fan either (it’s always crumbly!) but this does look super moist, and I love how red it is! So pretty. Next time I need a red velvet cake, I’ll try this! Pinned 🙂
My friends have always asked me to make them a red velvet… something. I will give it a try with this recipe 🙂 It looks great!
I too am not a fan of red velvet–and i HATE how much red food coloring it always uses!
This looks perfect! I make red velvet cupcakes all the time, but I haven’t made them with coffee. I like that idea. I think coffee belongs anywhere that chocolate does!
I love that Cons= none!