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Decadent Layered Red Velvet Cake

decadent layered red velvet cake recipe - featured image
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A rich and moist red velvet cake layered with tangy cream cheese frosting, perfect for special occasions and easy to make at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (15 g) unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon (3 g) salt
  • 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk, room temperature (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice, let sit 5 minutes)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable oil (canola or sunflower preferred)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) red food coloring (gel or liquid)
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) distilled white vinegar
  • 16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened (full-fat preferred)
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pans. Dust with flour or line with parchment paper.
  2. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and vinegar until combined.
  4. Slowly add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, mixing gently with a rubber spatula or mixer on low speed until smooth and light. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans using a scale or measuring cup.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto cooling racks to cool completely.
  8. Beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until fluffy.
  9. Place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread a generous layer of frosting on top. Add second layer and frost top and sides evenly.
  10. Chill cake for 15 minutes, then apply a thin crumb coat layer of frosting. Chill again before final frosting.
  11. Optionally decorate with fresh berries, chocolate shavings, or cocoa powder. Chill at least 1 hour before slicing.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best texture. Do not overmix batter to keep cake tender. Sift dry ingredients to avoid lumps. Use a kitchen scale to divide batter evenly for level layers. Chill frosting if too loose. Crumb coat for a neat finish. Vinegar reacts with baking soda to create lift and tender crumb.

Nutrition

Keywords: red velvet cake, layered cake, cream cheese frosting, homemade dessert, easy cake recipe, holiday cake, birthday cake

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/decadent-layered-red-velvet-cake-recipe-easy-step-by-step-guide-for-perfect-homemade-dessert/