Red Velvet Cake

16 ingredients13 steps1 (3-layer) cake
Southern Living
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Ingredients

|
  • Cake

  • Cream Cheese Frosting

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 3 (8-inch) round cake pans.

  2. 2

    Beat shortening at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy; gradually add sugar, beating well.

  3. 3

    Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition.

  4. 4

    Stir in food coloring and vanilla, blending well.

  5. 5

    Combine flour, salt, and cocoa; set aside.

  6. 6

    Combine buttermilk, vinegar, and baking soda in a 4-cup liquid measuring cup. (Mixture will bubble.)

  7. 7

    Add flour mixture to shortening mixture, alternately with buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition.

  8. 8

    Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes; pour batter into prepared pans.

  9. 9

    Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.

  10. 10

    Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.

  11. 11

    Prepare the frosting:

  12. 12

    Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top of cake.

  13. 13

    Garnish with chopped pecans, if desired.

💡 Cook's Notes

Pour batter into a greased and floured 13x9-inch pan. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Spread cream cheese frosting on top of cake. Garnish, if desired. Yield: 1 (13x9-inch) cake. Pour half of batter into a greased and floured 15x10-inch jellyroll pan; chill remaining batter. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes or until center of cake springs back when lightly touched (do not overbake). Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes; remove from pan, and cool completely on a wire rack. Repeat procedure with remaining batter. Reserve 1/2 cup Cream Cheese Frosting. Place 1 cake layer on a large cutting board or baking sheet; spread with remaining 3 cups frosting. Top with remaining cake layer; cover and chill. Using round cutter or knife, cut into 1 1/2 inch circles or squares. Pipe or dollop reserved 1/2 cup frosting on tops of cakes. Garnish with pecan halves, if desired. Yield: about 3 dozen. The frosting recipe yields 3 1/2 cups, enough for the 3-layer cake.

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