Southern Red Velvet Cake Recipe

Recipe provided by Cakeman Raven

• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Servings: Approximately 6 to 8
• Nutrition per Serving (based on 8 servings):
• Calories: 1325
• Total Fat: 91 g
• Saturated Fat: 29 g
• Carbohydrates: 122 g
• Dietary Fiber: 1 g
• Sugars: 90 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 166 mg
• Sodium: 695 mg
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Preparation Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil for greasing pans
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring (1 ounce)
• 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe below)
• Chopped pecans for decoration

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1 pound cream cheese, softened
• 4 cups sifted powdered sugar
• 2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup), softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350F and get ready to create a Southern masterpiece! Lightly grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans (1 1/2 inches deep) for that perfect rise.
2. In a large bowl, sift the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In another bowl, whisk the oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla until smooth and vibrantwatch the magic of that classic red hue come alive!
3. With a stand mixer, gently blend dry into wet until your batter is silky smooth. Pour evenly into pans and bake for 30 minutes, rotating halfway. Toothpick test: clean with a few moist crumbs means perfection!
4. Cool the cakes like pros: run a knife around edges, invert onto plates, then racks. Let them chill completely for ultimate moistness.
5. Assemble on a rotating stand: layer with generous cream cheese frosting (1/4 to 1/2-inch thick), top with the final layer, and ice the whole beauty. Sprinkle chopped pecans for that irresistible crunchyour showstopper is ready to wow!

Cream Cheese Frosting Preparation

Makes enough to generously frost a three-layer, 9-inch cakedreamy, tangy perfection awaits!

1. In a stand or hand mixer, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and butter on low until combined, then high for 5 minutes until fluffy. Scrape sides for even bliss.
2. Add vanilla on low, then whip high briefly for airy smoothness. Chill slightly before frostingstores up to 3 days refrigerated. Dive in and bake this iconic treat today!