Red velvet cake is one of those flavors that you either really enjoy, or you don’t care for all that much. We love it so much at my house that I created a Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake out of it! Red velvet cake pairs most perfectly with a good cream cheese frosting. I have a recipe for red velvet bundt cake that is topped with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting, and that works too. This red velvet cake is a two layer, round cake with a generous amount of cream cheese frosting surrounding it.
The History of Red Velvet Cake:
Although many folks think that red velvet has its roots in the South, it likely originated in Maryland in the 19th century when “velvet” cakes with a soft crumb emerged. When foods were rationed during WWII, bakers used beet juice to enhance the color of cakes. The first “classic” recipe for red velvet cake comes from New York’s Waldorf-Astoria hotel. Over the years, it has become a popular cake in the South, and the red velvet theme has become popular everywhere for other desserts like cheesecake, cupcakes, cookies and muffins too.
Red Velvet Cake ingredients needed:
all purpose flour unsweetened cocoa powder baking soda and salt unsalted butter white sugar brown sugar eggs buttermilk vanilla extract distilled white vinegar vegetable or canola oil red gel food coloring
How to make Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting:
How to make buttermilk:
Combine 1 cup of milk and 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar. Let sit for a few minutes until it begins to curdle. Then you have homemade buttermilk to use for your red velvet cake!
Make the cream cheese frosting. Use a mixer to combine butter, cream cheese, salt, vanilla and powdered sugar. Place one cake layer on a cake stand. Spread some frosting on top of that layer. Place the 2nd layer on top of the frosting. Then frost the whole cake.
Isn’t it pretty? I love the flavor of red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, and I love that it’s so impressive looking when you cut into it too.
Slices are so moist and tender. This red velvet cake is just dreamy. If you have a cake stand with a cover, place the lid on top and store leftover cake in the refrigerator. Otherwise, wrap it gently with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Enjoy!
