Red Velvet Cake

Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups cake flour
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, not Dutch processed
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk, well shaken
  • 1 teaspoon red food color, plus more if a deeper color is desired
  • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Spray 2 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line each pan with a parchment circle. spray again, flour, and dump out excess. Set aside.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well blended. Set aside.
  • In a large liquid measuring cup, whisk together buttermilk, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla until well blended.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium high speed until somewhat light.
  • Add eggs one at a time, waiting to add the last egg until the first one is fully incorporated.
  • On low speed, add approximately 1/3 of the dry ingredients into the butter and sugar mixture and blend well. Add ½ of the liquid ingredients followed by another 1/3 of the dry ingredients. Blend well, stopping the machine and scraping down the sides of bowl with a rubber spatula occasionally.
  • On low speed, add the remaining wet ingredients followed by the remaining dry ingredients. Blend just until mixed. Do not over mix.
  • Divide batter evenly among the two prepared pans.
  • Bake cakes approximately 27 minutes or until a small sharp knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Cool until just barely warm. Remove from pans and place on foil-lined cake circles or a cooling rack.
  • Fill and frost cake as desired.

Notes

Makes 2 9-inch round cake layers