Classic Southern Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cupsall-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cupsgranulated sugar
• 1 tspbaking soda
• 1 tspsalt
• 1 tbspunsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cupsvegetable oil
• 1 cupbuttermilk, room temperature
• 2 largeeggs, room temperature
• 2 tbspred food coloring
• 1 tspvanilla extract
• 1 tspwhite vinegar
• 16 ozcream cheese, softened, for frosting
• 1 cup (2 sticks)unsalted butter, softened, for frosting
• 4 cupspowdered sugar, for frosting
• 1 tspvanilla extract, for frosting

Nutrition / serving

No nutrition data for this recipe — tap Nutrition in Ask Chef AI above for an estimate.

Method

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

2. 2

   Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder together in a large bowl.

3. 3

   In a separate bowl, whisk oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar together.

4. 4

   Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and whisk just until smooth and combined — do not overmix.

5. 5

   Divide batter evenly between the pans; bake 28-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

   ⏱Start 28:00
6. 6

   Cool in the pans 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

   ⏱Start 10:00
7. 7

   For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth; gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until light and fluffy.

8. 8

   Level the cake layers if needed, then frost between the layers, on top, and around the sides.