Description
A sophisticated take on a Southern classic, this Red Cake features a remarkably moist, velvet-textured crumb achieved through precise chemical balance. Paired with a cloud-like cream cheese frosting, it offers a perfect harmony of subtle cocoa notes and tangy richness.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking soda
- Fine salt
- Natural cocoa powder
- Vegetable oil
- Buttermilk, room temperature
- Large eggs, room temperature
- Red food coloring (gel or liquid)
- Distilled vinegar
- Vanilla extract
- Cream cheese, softened
- Butter, softened
- Confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- Crushed pecans, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
- Sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, fine salt, and cocoa powder in a large bowl to ensure even distribution.
- Whisk together the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla in a separate bowl until fully emulsified.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined and smooth.
- Divide the batter equally among the prepared pans and bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to rest in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely right-side up.
- Whip the softened cream cheese, butter, and sifted confectioners’ sugar for five minutes until light and airy, then add vanilla.
- Assemble the cake by frosting between layers, applying a crumb coat, chilling for 20 minutes, and finishing with a final layer of frosting and pecans.
Notes
To ensure a perfectly stable emulsion, make sure your eggs and buttermilk are not cold, as this can cause the oil to seize and ruin the delicate velvet texture. For the most professional appearance, use a kitchen scale to divide your batter evenly and level the cold cake layers with a serrated knife before assembly.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American