easy red velvet cake

 This easy red velvet cake is fluffy, moist, topped with cream cheese frosting, and has the most beautiful red color. It has the perfect red velvet flavor that’s slightly tangy with a milk chocolate taste. Easy to make & oh so delicious – it’s the perfect red velvet cake recipe.

Ingredients

Red Velvet Cake

2 ⅔ cups cake flour*

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup unsalted butter softened

1 cup vegetable oil

1 ¾ cups white sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 large eggs room temperature

2 ½ tablespoons red food coloring

1 cup buttermilk room temperature

2 teaspoons white vinegar

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz cream cheese** softened

½ cup unsalted butter softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon salt

3 cups powdered sugar sifted

1-2 tablespoons cream as needed

Instructions

Red Velvet Cake

Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. 

Grease and lightly flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. 

Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Whisk gently to combine

In a separate large bowl beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy. 

Beat in the oil, followed by the eggs, vanilla extract & red food coloring. 

Beat in the flour mixture into the butter mixture about ⅓ at a time, alternating with about ⅓ of the buttermilk. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. 

Beat in the vinegar. 

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. 

Cream Cheese Frosting

In a large bowl beat the butter until soft.

Beat in the cream cheese.

Add in the vanilla extract and salt.

Mix in the powdered sugar about 1 cup at a time until the desired sweetness is reached. If the frosting seems too thick or sweet, mix in a little cream 1 tablespoon at a time. 

Frost the cooled cake, and optionally decorate with sprinkles. 

Notes

*If you don't have cake flour, measure 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour. Remove ⅓ cup all-purpose flour, then add in ½ cup cornstarch. Sift the mixture together 3 times. 

**Use full-fat, brick cream cheese

***Store frosted cake at room temperature covered for up to 8 hours, then store in the fridge. If the cake is in the fridge, take out of the fridge 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving to let the cake warm up to room temperature.