Ingredients
Red Velvet Cake
- 2½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tbsp unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- 1½ cups (360 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 cup (240 ml) full-fat buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tbsp red gel food coloring
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp distilled white vinegar
Cream Cheese Ribbon Filling
- 8 oz (225 g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (55 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 16 oz (450 g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 5–6 cups (600–720 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch fine salt
Instructions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease three 8-inch cake pans with butter or baking spray.
Line each pan with parchment paper.
Lightly flour the sides.
Step 2
Whisk together
- flour
- sugar
- cocoa
- baking soda
- salt
Set aside.
Step 3
In another bowl whisk
- oil
- buttermilk
- eggs
- vanilla
- vinegar
- food coloring
Mix until completely smooth.
Step 4
Gradually combine wet and dry ingredients.
Mix only until incorporated.
Do not overmix.
Step 5
Divide batter evenly.
Bake
25–30 minutes
until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Cool inside pans for
10 minutes.
Transfer to cooling racks.
Cool completely.
Step 6
Prepare ribbon filling.
Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth.
Add powdered sugar.
Mix in vanilla.
Beat until creamy.
Refrigerate
15–20 minutes
if too soft.
Step 7
Prepare frosting.
Beat butter first.
Add cream cheese.
Gradually add powdered sugar.
Finish with vanilla and salt.
Beat
3–5 minutes
until fluffy.
Step 8
Level cake layers.
Place first cake layer.
Pipe a frosting border around the edge.
Spread ribbon filling inside the border.
Repeat.
Finish with third cake layer.
Step 9
Apply crumb coat.
Refrigerate
20 minutes.
Apply final frosting.
Decorate as desired.
Step 10
Refrigerate
1 hour
before slicing.
Serve slightly chilled.
Notes
✔ Always use room-temperature ingredients.
✔ Gel food coloring gives the richest color.
✔ Full-fat cream cheese creates the most stable ribbon.
✔ Spoon and level flour instead of scooping.
✔ Do not overmix.
✔ Chill frosting if your kitchen is warm.
✔ Use a kitchen scale for even cake layers.
✔ Refrigerating before slicing produces the cleanest ribbon.
✔ Clean the knife between slices.
✔ Cake tastes even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 40 Minutes
- Cook Time: 30 Minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian