Red Velvet Cake is a moist, lightly chocolate-flavored cake with a signature red color, topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. It’s perfect for celebrations and special occasions!
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups (310g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate small bowl, mix buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla extract, and red food coloring.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
- Mix in vanilla extract.
Step 3: Assemble the Cake
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of frosting evenly over the top.
- Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake.
- Decorate as desired, using cake crumbs, sprinkles, or piped frosting.
Tips for the Perfect Red Velvet Cake
- Use buttermilk for a tender, moist cake. If you don’t have it, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Don’t overmix the batter—this ensures a soft, delicate crumb.
- Chill the cake before slicing for clean, even cuts.
Enjoy your homemade Red Velvet Cake!
The Natural Red Tint: Cocoa and Acid Reaction
One theory suggests that early versions of Red Velvet Cake got their color from a natural reaction between raw cocoa powder, buttermilk, and vinegar. Before modern Dutch-processed cocoa (which is alkaline) was widely used, natural cocoa contained compounds that, when mixed with acidic ingredients, created a reddish-brown hue.
The Waldorf-Astoria Legend
Some stories credit New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in the 1920s or 1930s with popularizing Red Velvet Cake. A legend claims that a guest at the hotel asked for the recipe and was later billed a large amount for it. In retaliation, she supposedly spread the recipe widely, making it famous. However, there’s no solid proof behind this tale.
The Role of Food Coloring & The Great Depression
During the Great Depression (1930s), food companies sought ways to boost sales. The Adams Extract Company, a Texas-based business, started marketing bottled red food coloring as a way to enhance the cake’s color. This was a turning point, as Red Velvet Cake became brighter and more visually appealing.
Hollywood, Pop Culture, and Revival
For much of the 20th century, Red Velvet Cake was a Southern favorite, especially in the U.S. South. It gained mainstream fame in the 1980s and 1990s, appearing in movies like Steel Magnolias and later becoming a staple in bakeries worldwide.
The cake had another resurgence in the 2000s, thanks to the popularity of cupcake shops and baking shows, making it one of the most recognizable cakes today.
Why It’s Still Popular Today
- The striking red color makes it visually appealing.
- The mild cocoa flavor and tangy cream cheese frosting create a perfect balance.
- It’s a symbol of love and celebration, often served on Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and birthdays.
Whether you love it for its rich history or its delicious taste, Red Velvet Cake remains a classic dessert that never goes out of style!
Red Velvet Cake has an interesting and somewhat mysterious history, with its origins shrouded in a bit of folklore and debate. While the exact origin is unclear, here’s a general take on the story:
- Early Beginnings (1920s – 1930s): The first known recipes for red velvet cake can be traced back to the early 20th century. Some sources suggest that the cake originated in the southern United States, particularly in areas like Texas and Maryland, where it gained popularity. The red color in the cake was likely a result of using beet juice or cocoa powder that reacted with acidic ingredients, such as buttermilk or vinegar. These ingredients could have led to the reddish hue, even though it wasn’t as vibrant as the red velvet cakes we know today.
- The Velvet Connection: The term “velvet” in red velvet cake refers to the cake’s smooth, fine texture. The cake itself is a soft, moist cake, which is partly due to the use of buttermilk and vinegar, making it a bit tangier and lighter than other cakes. The “velvety” texture is one of the key characteristics that set it apart.
- The Red Dye Revolution (1940s – 1950s): The most famous story involves the 1920s and ’30s Red Velvet Cake recipes, which were likely dark brown or burgundy due to natural ingredients like cocoa or beets. However, in the 1940s, when the Adams Extract Company, based in Texas, started marketing their red food coloring, a more vibrant version of the cake emerged. The company offered recipes that used their food coloring to achieve a bright, vibrant red hue, which helped popularize the cake further. They even sent out free recipes to anyone who bought the product!
- Popularization (1960s and beyond): By the 1960s and 1970s, red velvet cake had gained a foothold in popular culture, particularly in the South, where it was often served at family gatherings, holidays, and special occasions. Its striking appearance and distinct flavor made it a favorite at events like Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
- Modern-Day Popularity: Today, red velvet cake is an iconic dessert, often found in bakeries and restaurants all over the world. It is typically made with a combination of flour, cocoa powder, buttermilk, butter, and a generous amount of red food coloring. The cake is often topped with cream cheese frosting, adding a tangy contrast to the sweetness of the cake.
Despite its evolution, red velvet cake is still beloved for its rich texture and deep red color, along with its slightly tangy flavor that makes it distinct from other cakes. It has become especially popular in recent years with variations like red velvet cupcakes and even red velvet pancakes!
