Sweet red velvet cake recipe

⏱️ Prep Time

• 25 minutes

🔥 Cook Time

• 30–35 minutes

⏲️ Total Time

• About 1 hour

🛒 Ingredients

🎂 Cake Batter:

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

🧁 Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter (softened)
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

👩🏽‍🍳 Directions

1. Preheat & Prep
   
   • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients
   
   • In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt.
5. Mix Wet Ingredients
   
   • In another bowl, combine oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar.
   • Mix until smooth.
7. Combine Batter
   
   • Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients.
   • Stir until smooth and no lumps remain.
9. Bake
   
   • Divide batter evenly between pans.
   • Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
11. Cool
    
    • Let cakes cool completely before frosting.

🧁 Make the Frosting

1. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2. Add powdered sugar gradually and mix well.
3. Stir in vanilla until creamy and fluffy.

🎂 Assemble the Cake

1. Place one cake layer down and spread frosting on top.
2. Add second layer and frost the top and sides.
3. Smooth or swirl frosting for that classic Southern look.

💡 Southern Tips

• Use buttermilk — it gives that signature tangy flavor
• Don’t skip the vinegar — it enhances the color and texture
• Chill slightly before slicing for clean, bakery-style cuts