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Slice of red velvet cake on a white plate with a bite on a red handled fork with another slice on a plate.

Southern Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This red velvet cake birthday cake, Christmas cake, any-night-of-the-week cake is the kind of timeless Southern dessert that never goes out of style. My from-scratch recipe is surprisingly approachable and bonus: with my double-batch cream cheese frosting hack, you’ll never have to worry about running out midway through.
5 from 10 votes
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 12

Equipment

  • dry measuring cups
  • liquid measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 3 (9-inch) round cake pans
  • heavy-duty stand mixer
  • rubber spatula
  • wire cooling racks
  • offset spatula

Ingredients

  • cups all-purpose flour
  • cups granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup whole buttermilk
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoon red food coloring
  • Double-Batch Cream Cheese Frosting

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease 3 (9-inch) round pans with vegetable shortening and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
  • Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of a heavy duty stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
  • Slowly add the vegetable oil and butter to the flour mixture until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating just until the yellow disappears after each addition.
  • Beat in the vanilla, vinegar, and food coloring. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean.
  • Let cool in the pans for 5 minutes. Run a knife around the edges and turn out onto cooling racks to cool completely.
  • Make the frosting.
  • Spread the cream cheese frosting between the layers and on the tops and side of the cooled cakes. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

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