Homemade Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

1. All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups)
2. Cocoa powder (2 tablespoons)
3. Baking powder (1 teaspoon)
4. Baking soda (1 teaspoon)
5. Salt (1/2 teaspoon)
6. Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened)
7. Granulated sugar (2 cups)
8. Eggs (4, room temperature)
9. Buttermilk (1 1/2 cups, room temperature)
10. Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
11. Red food coloring (2 tablespoons)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. Cream cheese (16 ounces, softened)
2. Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened)
3. Powdered sugar (4 cups, sifted)
4. Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)

Preparation Steps:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Sift Dry Ingredients:
   • In a bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
   • In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add Eggs:
   • Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
   • Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
6. Add Vanilla and Food Coloring:
   • Stir in vanilla extract and red food coloring until evenly incorporated.
7. Divide and Bake:
   • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops.
8. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Cool:
   • Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting:
    • In a separate bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
11. Assemble the Cake:
    • Once the cakes are completely cooled, spread a layer of cream cheese frosting on top of one cake layer. Place the second layer on top and frost the entire cake.
12. Decorate (Optional):
    • Decorate with additional frosting, red velvet crumbs, or as desired.
13. Chill (Optional):
    • For a firmer frosting, refrigerate the cake for a few hours before serving.
14. Slice and Enjoy:
    • Slice the Red Velvet Cake and savor the delicious layers of moist cake and luscious cream cheese frosting.

Celebrate special moments or treat yourself to the exquisite taste of homemade Red Velvet Cake!