Lila's Decadent Red Velvet Cake ❤️🍰

This vibrant and luscious red velvet cake is a classic, perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth! Its rich cocoa flavor paired with a silky cream cheese frosting creates a delightful contrast that's hard to resist. This recipe is not only easy to follow but also allows for personalization to suit your taste preferences.

Pair it with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot coffee for that perfect indulgence! 🥛☕

Ingredients

For the cake

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup 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 cup cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.

2. Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.

3. Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar until well combined.

4. Combine mixtures: Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!

🥄 Overmixing can lead to a dense cake. It’s best to stop mixing once you don't see any dry flour.

5. Divide batter: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.

6. Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

7. Make the frosting: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until fluffy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.

8. Frost the cake: Once the cakes have cooled completely, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting on top. Add the second layer and repeat. Top with the third layer and frost the entire cake.

🎂 Optional: For an elegant touch, decorate with red velvet cake crumbs or fresh berries on top!

Variations

• Chocolate Lovers: Add an extra tablespoon of cocoa powder to the batter for a deeper chocolate flavor! 🍫
• Nutty Delight: Fold in ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for added texture and flavor.
• Gluten-free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure it has a good binding agent!
• Vegan: Replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water per egg) and use a plant-based cream cheese for the frosting.

Enjoy the delight of this stunning red velvet cake, and watch as it steals the spotlight at your next gathering! ✨❤️