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The Best Southern Style Moist Red Velvet Cake from Scratch with Classic Cream Cheese Frosting

A perfect slice of moist red velvet cake showing three layers of deep red cake separated by thick white cream cheese frosting.
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We are sharing our favorite recipe for an authentic Southern Red Velvet Cake. This cake is perfectly moist, soft, and features the classic, subtle cocoa flavor. We pair it with a rich, homemade cream cheese frosting for a truly showstopping dessert perfect for birthdays or holidays.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup red food coloring (liquid or gel)
  • 1 teaspoon cream cheese frosting (for cake batter, optional)
  • 1 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Set this dry mixture aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step helps create a soft homemade cake texture.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  5. In a separate small bowl, combine the buttermilk, white vinegar, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Mix until the color is uniform and vibrant.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix only until just combined; do not overmix.
  7. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
  8. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Prepare the cream cheese frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the vanilla extract.
  11. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until incorporated. Add the heavy cream or milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
  12. Once the cake layers are completely cool, frost and stack them to create your red velvet layer cake.

Notes

  • For the most vibrant red velvet cake color, use a high-quality gel food coloring instead of liquid coloring.
  • Using buttermilk is key to the authentic Southern flavor and moist crumb. Do not skip it!
  • If you do not have buttermilk, mix 1 cup of whole milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishdiarist.com/red-velvet-cake-recipe-from-scratch/