This Classic Red Velvet cake is made with buttermilk and topped with a rich and creamy cream cheese frosting. Delicious and beautiful!
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.
Easy Red Velvet Cake Recipe
Red Velvet Cake Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Cornstarch
- Granulated sugar
- Baking soda
- Cocoa powder
- Salt
- Eggs
- Oil
- Buttermilk
- Red food color
- Vanilla extract
- Vinegar
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.
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.
Like this recipe? You will love my:
- Homemade Red Velvet Pancakes
- Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
- Cake Mix Red Velvet Cookies
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.
Red Velvet Cake
This Classic Red Velvet cake is made with buttermilk and topped with a rich and creamy cream cheese frosting. Delicious and beautiful!
Ingredients
- 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 5 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups canola oil
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
We like to serve this cake with my cream cheese frosting.
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Beverly Miller
Thursday 14th of February 2019
Corn startch.... I see it in the ingredients, but not listed in the dry ingredients to add to the cake.... Help! I wanted to make this recipe, but not sure if it even goes in!
Jesseca
Thursday 14th of February 2019
Thanks for catching that, Beverly. You whisk it in with the other dry ingredients. I have fixed the recipe.
Jeri
Monday 20th of January 2014
I also don't get what's so wonderful about red velvet but it's my daughter's FAVORITE and she wants me to make one for her 18th birthday Saturday. What icing recipe did you use? That's my favorite part of a cake and this looks delicious!
Sumo
Friday 17th of January 2014
I'm also not in on the red velvet craze, but after seeing these pictures, I just want to be. It's so pretty! I'd eat it. :)
Holly C.
Thursday 16th of January 2014
This would be perfect for my Valentine's Day dessert. I'll see if my husband will make it. :)
dina
Thursday 16th of January 2014
this is one of my favorite cakes!