If you’re looking for a showstopper dessert with classic Southern charm, you just can’t beat Southern Red Velvet Cake. Known for its signature scarlet hue, tender crumb, and iconic tangy cream cheese frosting, this cake always steals the spotlight at any celebration. The combination of rich buttermilk, a hint of cocoa, and velvety texture makes it irresistible whether enjoyed at holidays, birthdays, or as a nostalgic weekend treat. Let me give you all the secrets to pull off the perfect Southern Red Velvet Cake right in your own kitchen!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Remarkably, Southern Red Velvet Cake comes together with a handful of simple pantry staples, each playing a vital role in building flavor, texture, and that gorgeous red color. Here’s why every ingredient matters—and a few tips to make them shine.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy structure that helps the cake rise and hold its beautiful layers.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the tangy flavors.
- Baking soda: Works with the vinegar to create a fluffy, light crumb.
- Salt: A pinch sharpens all the other flavors and keeps the cake from tasting flat.
- Cocoa powder: Just a touch for depth and that subtle chocolate background signature to red velvet.
- Vegetable oil: Gives the cake a distinctive moist, almost silky texture (much more so than butter alone).
- Buttermilk (room temperature): Adds tang and tenderness, so don’t be tempted to substitute regular milk!
- Eggs (room temperature): Help bind everything together and meet that perfect, soft crumb.
- Red food coloring: This is what gives Southern Red Velvet Cake its iconic hue—gel coloring works best for vivid color without thinning the batter.
- White vinegar: Reacts with baking soda for airy layers and also enhances that signature tang.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and brings everything together.
- Cream cheese (softened): The backbone of the luscious, slightly tangy frosting.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Blends with cream cheese for a smooth, rich finish.
- Powdered sugar: Gives the frosting its fluffy, sweet volume—always sift for a lump-free result!
- Vanilla extract (for frosting): Enhances every bite of that dreamy topping.
- Pinch of salt (for frosting): Brings the frosting flavors into perfect balance.
How to Make Southern Red Velvet Cake
Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans generously—this extra step ensures your layers release effortlessly and look bakery-perfect. Trust me, you don’t want any drama when it’s time to flip the cakes out!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Thoroughly blending the dry ingredients guarantees even flavor and texture in every bite of your Southern Red Velvet Cake.
Step 3: Make the Wet Batter
In another bowl, combine the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, white vinegar, and vanilla extract. Be sure your buttermilk and eggs are at room temperature—this simple trick helps everything blend smoothly and keeps your cake tender.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with your dry mixture. Stir gently until just combined; over-mixing can make the cake tough instead of light and velvety. Don’t worry if the batter seems unusually vibrant—Southern Red Velvet Cake is all about that bold statement!
Step 5: Divide and Bake
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in their pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to finish cooling completely. This helps lock in moisture and ensures easy assembly later on.
Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
While your cakes are cooling, beat softened cream cheese and butter together in a large bowl until fluffy and well combined. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, beating between additions, then finish with vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. You’ll end up with the creamiest, dreamiest frosting—absolutely essential for Southern Red Velvet Cake.
Step 7: Frost and Assemble
Once your cake layers are cool, place one layer on a serving plate and spread a thick, generous layer of the cream cheese frosting on top. Gently place the second cake layer over the frosting, then coat the entire cake with the remaining frosting, swirling it artfully or smoothing it out for a sleek finish. For the cleanest slices, chill the finished cake for 20 to 30 minutes before cutting in—worth the wait!
How to Serve Southern Red Velvet Cake
Garnishes
For classic Southern Red Velvet Cake flair, try sprinkling a handful of cake crumbs around the top edge, adding curls of white chocolate, or scattering a few edible flowers. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a handful of fresh berries adds beautiful color contrast and a special touch for guests.
Side Dishes
This cake truly shines on its own, but if you’d like to serve something alongside it, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream balances out the richness. Fresh strawberries or raspberries can also add a bright, tart counterpoint to the cake’s creamy sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to take your Southern Red Velvet Cake over the top for a special event? Consider layering the cake in glass jars for individual trifle desserts, cutting it into squares for a casual bite-size treat, or stacking mini cakes for an elegant tea party display. However you serve it, this cake is always the star!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Southern Red Velvet Cake moist and fresh, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Thanks to the rich cream cheese frosting, it will stay delicious for up to four days—just let slices sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving for the best texture.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze Southern Red Velvet Cake, either as whole layers or as individual frosted slices. Wrap the unfrosted cake layers securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to two months. For frosted cake, slice it and freeze the pieces on a baking sheet before transferring them to freezer bags. Thaw overnight in the fridge and enjoy!
Reheating
While you don’t want to actually warm the cake, letting it come to room temperature after chilling or thawing restores that soft, plush cake crumb and creamy frosting texture. Just set your slices out about 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve for perfect results.
FAQs
Why does Southern Red Velvet Cake include vinegar?
The vinegar reacts with baking soda to help the cake rise and develop a moist, fluffy crumb. It also adds a subtle tang, which balances the sweetness and enhances the iconic flavor profile.
Can I use natural food coloring instead of artificial?
Yes, you can use natural food colorings like beet powder or natural red dye, though the color may be less vibrant. Be sure to use enough to achieve that signature red shade without affecting the flavor too much.
What’s the best way to get smooth, lump-free frosting?
Sift your powdered sugar before mixing, and always start with softened cream cheese and butter. Beat them together thoroughly until fluffy before adding any sugar—this guarantees silky-smooth frosting every time.
Can I make this cake gluten free?
Absolutely! Substitute a 1-to-1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and check the labels on your other ingredients. The texture will change slightly, but your Southern Red Velvet Cake will still be delicious.
How do I prevent my cake from sticking to the pans?
Be thorough: grease the pans generously, then line the bottoms with parchment paper and dust the sides with flour. This dual method helps guarantee the cake layers release beautifully once baked.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a dessert that’s as eye-catching as it is delicious, it’s hard to top a homemade Southern Red Velvet Cake. Give it a try—your friends and family will be swooning over every bite, and you might just start a new tradition. I can’t wait for you to taste the magic yourself!
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Southern Red Velvet Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich, velvety goodness of Southern Red Velvet Cake topped with decadent cream cheese frosting. This classic dessert is a staple at any gathering, perfect for holidays or special occasions.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
- Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, mix oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla.
- Blend batter: Incorporate wet ingredients into dry until smooth. Divide batter into pans.
- Bake: Bake for 30–35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool cakes on racks.
- Prepare frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter, add sugar gradually. Mix in vanilla and salt.
- Frost cake: Frost cooled cakes and assemble. Decorate as desired.
Notes
- Chilling the cake before slicing helps with clean cuts.
- You can freeze the cake layers before frosting for convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 340mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
