Juneteenth Red Velvet Delight (Printable Version)

A vibrant red velvet cake with creamy frosting for festive occasions.

# What You'll Need:

→ Red Velvet Cake

01 - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
03 - 1 tsp baking soda
04 - 1 tsp salt
05 - 1 tsp cocoa powder
06 - 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
07 - 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
08 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
09 - 2 tbsp red food coloring
10 - 1 tsp distilled white vinegar
11 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ Cream Cheese Frosting

12 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
13 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
14 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
15 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
16 - Pinch of salt

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
02 - In a bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
03 - In a separate large bowl, whisk oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla until well combined.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
05 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 28-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
06 - Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes; then turn onto a wire rack to cool completely.
07 - Beat cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, continuing to beat until smooth.
08 - Once cakes are fully cooled, spread a layer of cream cheese frosting between the cake layers. Frost the top and sides with remaining frosting.
09 - Optionally, decorate with red or gold sprinkles or cake crumbs.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • A perfect balance of rich cocoa and vibrant red color that celebrates Juneteenth traditions.
  • The tangy cream cheese frosting adds a delightful contrast to the moist cake layers.
  • Medium difficulty makes it an achievable yet impressive dessert for home bakers.
  • Vegetarian-friendly, appealing to a wide range of dietary preferences.
  • Yields 12 servings, ideal for gatherings and celebrations.
02 -
  • Ensure all wet ingredients are at room temperature for the best emulsion and texture.
  • Use sifted powdered sugar in the frosting to avoid lumps and ensure smoothness.
  • Do not overmix the batter to prevent a dense cake.
  • Test cake doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center before removing from the oven.
  • Store any leftover cake covered in the refrigerator to maintain freshness for up to one day.
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