BEST Red Velvet Cake Recipe from Scratch

30 Comments By Jesseca on May 22, 2023

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This Easy Red Velvet cake is made with buttermilk and topped with a rich and creamy cream cheese frosting. Delicious and beautiful!

This recipe was originally published 2014/01/15. It has since been updated to include clear instructions and new photos.

Top down photo of red velvet cake with cake crumbs

The Best Homemade Red Velvet Cake Recipe

I once made this recipe in a baking competition. It was a Cupcake Wars style competition where I went head to head with four other crazy talented bakers.

The pressure was intense and I questioned if red velvet was the right choice. After an hour in the display kitchen, with dozens of people watching, we were ready to pass over our creations to be judged.

I got second place.

First place went to another super talented baker who killed it with the decorations. After all was said and done, each of the judges shook my hand and mentioned that if the competition was only based on flavor, I would have knocked it out of the park.

I consider that a win.

Why you will love this Moist Red Velvet Cake Recipe

Classic Red Velvet Flavor
Smooth and Creamy Frosting
Truly the BEST Homemade Red Velvet Cake

slice of red velvet cake on a white plate

What is Red Velvet Cake?

Red Velvet cake has quickly risen in popularity thanks to its deep red color and moist tender texture. It has a subtle cocoa flavor and a slight hint of tang. Often served with a rich cream cheese frosting and popular for special occasions like birthdays and weddings.

Is red velvet just chocolate?

Yes and no. While red velvet cake does have some chocolate undertones, thanks to the small amount of cocoa powder, it has a unique taste that sets the profile apart from traditional chocolate cake.

What is Red Velvet Made Of:

The list for this easy red velvet cake recipe is long, so the full ingredients and measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

Cocoa powder- Spring for a nicer quality cocoa.
Buttermilk- Buttermilk helps to tenderize the gluten and adds a slight tang.
Red food color- You can always skip this, but you won’t have that bold red color that is known with this recipe.
Vanilla extract- Always use PURE vanilla.
Vinegar- Regular white distilled vinegar.

Want another quick and easy Valentine’s treat? Try making your own chocolate covered strawberries!

How to make Red Velvet Cake from Scratch

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom of three 8 inch cake pans with parchment and grease the sides.
In the bowl of your electric mixer whisk together your flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa, corn starch and salt. Grab a large measuring cup and combine the oil, eggs, buttermilk, food color, extract, and vinegar. Slowly mix into the dry ingredients.
Divide your batter evenly between your prepared pans. Bake 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Frost with your favorite frosting. We like cream cheese frosting.

Slice of red velvet cake on a white plate with a bite on fork

Best Red Velvet Cake tips

Always use room temperature ingredients for your cake. This helps everything to incorporate without overmixing.
I find it helpful to line the bottom of my cake pans with parchment paper to avoid the cake sticking when turning out.
Use a cake cutter, like this one from Wilton (affiliate), to evenly cut your cake layers.
Need an easy decorating idea? Try pipping on a few roses with frosting.

How to store this Moist Red Velvet Cake Recipe

Once your cake has completely cooled and been frosted, the best way to keep it fresh is in a cake tray or airtight container inside the refrigerator. The cool temperature will help keep the cake fresh for 4 to 5 days.

Homemade Red Velvet Cake FAQs

Is red velvet cake just chocolate?

Technically, this cake does include cocoa powder. However, the amount in the batter is so minimal that it does not have that classic chocolate flavor.

How is red velvet cake different from regular cake?

While red velvet cake shares some similarities with regular cake, such as basic ingredients like flour, sugar, and eggs, it stands out due to its distinctive taste and texture thanks to the inclusion of buttermilk, cocoa and cream cheese frosting.

What is the flavor of red velvet cake?

Red Velvet cake gets its distinct flavor from buttermilk, vinegar, and small amounts of cocoa powder. The amount of cocoa is so minimal that it wouldn’t be classified as chocolate, but enough that it would not fall under the label of vanilla. Red velvet lands somewhere between the two leaving you with a moist and rich cake that tastes incredible when paired with a cream cheese frosting.

How do you keep red velvet cake from drying out?

Like most cakes, there are a few key steps you can follow to help keep your cake from drying out.
Try not to overbake the cake, keep the cake stored in an airtight container, or try adding a simple syrup to the cake before decorating.
You can help maintain moisture and prevent the cake from drying out just with those simple steps, ensuring a moist texture when you’re ready to enjoy.

top down photo of red velvet cake slice on white plate with fork

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