Red velvet cake is a classic and decadent dessert known for its moist texture, subtle chocolate flavor, and signature red color. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
  • 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons red food coloring
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar or apple cider vinegar

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 16 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat together eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar until well combined.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until smooth and well incorporated.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
  7. Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. While the cakes are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a large mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
  9. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla extract and continue beating until frosting is smooth and spreadable.
  10. Once the cakes are completely cooled, frost the top of one cake layer with a generous amount of cream cheese frosting. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
  11. Decorate the cake as desired and refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy your delicious homemade red velvet cake!