12 Best Red Velvet Cake Recipes

Classic Red Velvet Cake

This timeless red velvet cake features a perfect balance of rich cocoa and creamy buttermilk flavors.

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
3. In another bowl, whisk together oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar.
4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until smooth.
5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes.
6. Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.

Red Velvet Cheesecake

Combine the lusciousness of cheesecake with classic red velvet for a dessert that's as beautiful as it is delicious.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 24 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• 1 cup sour cream

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
2. Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and press into the pan to form the crust.
3. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and cocoa powder until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
4. Stir in vanilla, food coloring, and sour cream.
5. Pour over the crust and bake for 55-60 minutes.
6. Cool completely and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

These decadent red velvet cupcakes topped with creamy frosting are perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with liners.
2. Whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, combine oil, buttermilk, egg, food coloring, and vanilla.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until smooth; fill liners 2/3 full with batter.
5. Bake for 20-22 minutes and cool on a wire rack before frosting.
6. For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy; add powdered sugar and mix until smooth.

Gluten-Free Red Velvet Cake

A delightful gluten-free version of the classic red velvet cake for those with dietary restrictions.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa in a large bowl.
3. Mix oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar in another bowl.
4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, stirring until smooth.
5. Divide batter between pans and bake for 25-30 minutes.
6. Cool completely on wire racks before icing with your favorite gluten-free frosting.

Red Velvet Cake Pops

These bite-sized red velvet cake pops are a fun and festive treat for parties or gifts.

Ingredients:

• 1 baked red velvet cake, crumbled
• 1 cup cream cheese frosting
• 1 bag candy melts
• Lollipop sticks

Cooking method:

1. Crumble the baked cake into a large bowl. Mix in the frosting until well combined.
2. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place on a wax paper-lined tray.
3. Chill the cake balls in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
4. Melt candy melts according to package instructions.
5. Dip a lollipop stick into the melted candy and insert into each cake ball.
6. Dip the cake balls into the melted candy, letting excess drip off. Cool until set.

Vegan Red Velvet Cake

Rich and moist, this vegan version of red velvet cake is sure to satisfy all taste buds.

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups organic sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 ½ cups almond milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 9-inch cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
3. Mix almond milk, oil, vinegar, food coloring, and vanilla in a separate bowl.
4. Combine wet ingredients with dry, stirring until smooth.
5. Divide batter between pans and bake for 25-30 minutes.
6. Cool on wire racks before frosting with a vegan cream cheese icing.

Red Velvet Trifle

Layered with cream and cake, this red velvet trifle is an impressive dessert that's easy to assemble.

Ingredients:

• 1 red velvet cake, baked and cubed
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

Cooking method:

1. Whip the cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
2. Beat cream cheese until smooth and fold into the whipped cream.
3. In a large trifle dish, layer cubed cake and cream mixture, finishing with cream.
4. Repeat layers until ingredients are used up, ending with a cream layer.
5. Chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

Red Velvet Brownies

These red velvet brownies are the perfect blend of gooey and chewy, with a vibrant red hue.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, and salt in a medium bowl.
3. Mix melted butter, eggs, food coloring, and vanilla in another bowl.
4. Stir wet and dry ingredients together until just combined.
5. Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.
6. Cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

Red Velvet Ice Cream

Indulge in the creamy, dreamy taste of red velvet in this homemade ice cream without an ice cream maker.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• 1 ½ cups whole milk
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring
• 1 cup crumbled red velvet cake

Cooking method:

1. In a saucepan, combine cream, milk, sugar, and cocoa powder. Heat until sugar dissolves.
2. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and food coloring.
3. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
4. Pour into an ice cream maker and churn according to instructions.
5. During the last 5 minutes, add crumbled cake pieces.
6. Freeze until firm before serving.

Red Velvet Pancakes

A delightful breakfast twist, these red velvet pancakes are fluffy and full of flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 ½ cups buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Butter for cooking

Cooking method:

1. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.
2. In another bowl, mix buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, and vanilla.
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring until smooth.
4. Heat a skillet and add butter. Pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake.
5. Cook until bubbles form on top, then flip and cook until golden.
6. Serve with cream cheese glaze or syrup.

Red Velvet Waffles

Start your day with these deliciously decadent red velvet waffles that are crispy outside and fluffy inside.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking method:

1. Preheat your waffle iron.
2. In a bowl, mix flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, oil, eggs, food coloring, and vanilla.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring until smooth.
5. Pour batter into the preheated waffle iron and cook until crispy.
6. Serve with your favorite toppings or cream cheese glaze.