Name: Southern Red Velvet Cake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients: 2½ cups all-purpose flour; 1½ cups granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon cocoa powder; 1½ cups vegetable oil; 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature); 2 large eggs; 2 tablespoons red food coloring; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon white vinegar; 8 oz cream cheese (softened); ½ cup unsalted butter (softened); 4 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; pinch of salt

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If there’s ever a cake that brings a smile to everyone’s face and instantly transports you to the warmth of a Southern kitchen, it’s the Southern Red Velvet Cake. With its soft, velvety crumb and that signature cream cheese frosting, this classic dessert is everything you want in a celebration or just because you’re craving something extra special. Let’s dive into why this cake is such a beloved treasure and how you can make it perfectly at home.

Southern Red Velvet Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Southern Red Velvet Cake lies in having a handful of good-quality, simple ingredients that work together to give you unbeatable flavor, color, and that heavenly texture. Each component here is important—don’t be tempted to cut corners!

All-purpose flour: Provides structure and that signature soft crumb; always sift for the prettiest layers.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens every bite without overpowering the cocoa notes.
Baking soda: Helps the cake to rise beautifully and stay fluffy.
Salt: Balances flavors and brightens the sweetness.
Cocoa powder: Just a hint gives classic red velvet its subtle chocolate undertone.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake extra moist and rich.
Buttermilk (room temperature): Essential for that tangy finish and tender crumb.
Large eggs: Bind the batter and add richness; always use at room temperature for best results.
Red food coloring: The showstopper ingredient, giving the cake its iconic, unforgettable hue.
Vanilla extract: A touch of warmth and depth in both the cake and frosting.
White vinegar: Reacts with the baking soda for extra lift and signature texture.
Cream cheese (softened): For silky, tangy frosting that pairs perfectly with the cake.
Unsalted butter (softened): Blends smoothly into the frosting for a creamy finish.
Powdered sugar: Adds sweetness without any grittiness in that luscious frosting.
Pinch of salt: Rounds out the cream cheese frosting, bringing all the flavors together.

How to Make Southern Red Velvet Cake

Step 1: Prep the Pans and Preheat

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so the temperature is just right when your batter is ready. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, and don’t forget to line the bottoms with parchment paper—this makes unmolding the cakes a breeze and guarantees a lovely, smooth finish.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Sifting is absolutely worth the quick effort here—it ensures you’ll get a smooth batter and that signature tender cake texture we dream about with every bite.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a separate large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar. These wet ingredients are the backbone of Southern Red Velvet Cake, with the oil and buttermilk making the batter luxuriously rich and moist, and the vinegar secretly helping everything rise to perfection.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring just until everything is combined and smooth—no overmixing! The goal is a vivid, creamy red batter that promises a soft and airy crumb after baking.

Step 5: Divide and Bake

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pans; a kitchen scale can help if you want perfectly equal layers. Bake in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let your cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack and let them cool completely.

Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

For the frosting, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until the mixture is dreamy and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, continuing to beat until your frosting is fluffy and silky. This frosting is classic for a reason—it’s tangy, sweet, and utterly irresistible.

Step 7: Assemble and Frost

Once your cakes are fully cooled, spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting between the layers. Continue with the top and sides, using a spatula to create dramatic swoops or a smooth finish—whatever your heart desires! Decorate as you like and get ready for rave reviews.

How to Serve Southern Red Velvet Cake

Garnishes

Sometimes a classic like Southern Red Velvet Cake really shines with simple finishing touches. A few cake crumbs sprinkled on top, a scatter of fresh berries, or even delicate chocolate curls can make your cake look as good as it tastes.

Side Dishes

Pairing a slice of red velvet with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a handful of plump, fresh strawberries elevates every bite. If you’re serving at a party, a cup of strong coffee or even a glass of cold milk complements the tangy-sweet cake in unbeatable ways.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, try stacking Southern Red Velvet Cake as a showstopping centerpiece, or cutting it into petite layers for a high-tea vibe. You can even bake the batter as cupcakes or mini cakes for individual servings—adorable, portable, and every bit as delicious!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your cake moist and fresh, cover any leftover Southern Red Velvet Cake tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. It will keep wonderfully in the fridge for up to 5 days—if it lasts that long!

Freezing

If you want to get ahead or save cake for later, you can freeze unfrosted cake layers. Wrap each layer in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before frosting and serving. Even slices of fully assembled cake freeze beautifully (just make sure to wrap well before freezing).

Reheating

For the best texture, enjoy the cake at room temperature. Simply remove desired slices from the fridge about 30 minutes before serving. If you’re pulling cake from the freezer, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before indulging.

FAQs

Can I use gel food coloring instead of liquid?

Absolutely! Gel food coloring tends to create an even more vibrant, impressive red. Just remember that a little goes a long way, so start with less and add more if needed.

What makes Southern Red Velvet Cake different from other cakes?

This cake is distinct for its velvety texture, subtle cocoa flavor, and balanced tanginess, thanks to the buttermilk and vinegar. Paired with its iconic cream cheese frosting, it stands apart from both vanilla and chocolate cakes in the most delicious way.

Can I make Southern Red Velvet Cake gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute a good-quality, cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Keep in mind that texture may vary a little, but the cake should remain moist and flavorful.

Why do I need to use vinegar in the batter?

The vinegar reacts with baking soda and cocoa, boosting the cake’s rise and helping achieve that signature tender crumb. It also enhances the cake’s tang, which balances out the sweetness perfectly.

Can I bake this recipe as cupcakes?

You sure can! Simply divide the batter among lined cupcake tins, filling each about two-thirds full, and bake at 350°F for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’re feeling inspired and maybe a little bit hungry! Share this Southern Red Velvet Cake with your friends and family, or even enjoy it all to yourself. One bite, and you’ll see why it’s a true Southern classic—happy baking!

Southern Red Velvet Cake Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 15 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the rich and velvety goodness of a classic Southern Red Velvet Cake. This moist and decadent dessert features layers of vibrant red cake paired with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for special occasions or simply satisfying your sweet tooth cravings!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

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

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 oz cream cheese (softened)
½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
In a large bowl, whisk together oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar until well blended.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until smooth.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. 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 remove from pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
To make the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until creamy.
Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, beating until smooth and fluffy.
Frost the completely cooled cake layers and decorate as desired.