Pastry Education

Red velvet cake is a beloved dessert that has a rich history and a unique flavor profile. With its vibrant red color and hints of cocoa, it's a treat that's perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to weddings. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to create your own homemade red velvet cake that's sure to impress your family and friends.

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 2 1/2 cups (300g) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 16 ounces (450g) cream cheese, softened
• 6 cups (720g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Equipment:

• Two 9-inch (23cm) round cake pans
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
• Spatula
• Cooling rack

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Cake Pans:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

2. Make the Cake Batter:

• In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder.
• In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar until well combined.
• Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until smooth and well incorporated.

3. Divide and Bake the Cake Layers:

• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
• Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth using an electric mixer.
• Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until smooth and creamy.
• Mix in the vanilla extract until well combined.

5. Frost and Assemble the Cake:

• Once the cake layers are completely cooled, place one layer on a serving plate or cake stand.
• Spread a layer of cream cheese frosting evenly over the top of the cake layer using a spatula.
• Place the second cake layer on top and spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake, smoothing it out with the spatula.

6. Decorate and Serve:

• If desired, you can decorate the cake with additional red velvet cake crumbs or sprinkles.
• Chill the cake in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set before slicing and serving.

Tips for Success

• Make sure your ingredients, especially the eggs and buttermilk, are at room temperature to ensure a smooth and evenly baked cake.
• Use gel food coloring for a vibrant red color in your cake batter.
• Be careful not to overmix the cake batter, as this can result in a dense or tough cake.
• If you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Red velvet cake is a classic dessert that's perfect for any occasion. With its moist texture, rich cocoa flavor, and creamy cream cheese frosting, it's sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Follow this detailed guide to make your own homemade red velvet cake and enjoy its deliciousness with your loved ones!