Southern Red Velvet Cake

A Southern Red Velvet Cake is a classic, moist cake with a slightly tangy flavor, bright red color, and smooth cream cheese frosting. It’s a staple dessert in the South, perfect for celebrations or gatherings.

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 ½ cups (360ml) vegetable oil
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 pound (450g) cream cheese, softened
• 2 sticks (1 cup or 230g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups (500g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

For the Cake:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar until smooth.
4. Combine Dry and Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
5. Bake: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove and let them cool completely on a wire rack.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. Beat the Cream Cheese and Butter: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
2. Add Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until the frosting is fluffy and smooth.

Assemble the Cake:

1. Frost the Cake: Once the cakes have cooled completely, place one layer on a cake stand and spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting over the top. Repeat with the second and third layers, frosting the sides as well.
2. Decorate: Optionally, you can garnish the top with cake crumbs or sprinkles for extra flair.
3. Serve: Slice and serve! This cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea.

Calorie Count:

For a 12-serving cake (including frosting), the approximate calorie count is:

• Per slice: ~500-600 calories (depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes).

Enjoy this delicious Southern Red Velvet Cake!