Blue-Ribbon Red Velvet Cake

Total Time

Prep: 35 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling

Makes

16 servings

Updated: Dec. 15, 2023
This two-layer beauty features a striking red interior. It calls for more cocoa than most red velvet cakes, making it extra chocolaty. Feel free to change the color of the food coloring to suit the occasion. This recipe won a blue ribbon in the holiday cake division at the 2006 Alaska State Fair. I think this cake will be a winner in your house, too! —Cindi DeClue, Anchorage, Alaska
Blue-Ribbon Red Velvet Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups canola oil
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons red food coloring
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 3 tablespoons baking cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • FROSTING:
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 2 greased 9-in. round pans with parchment; grease parchment. Beat the first 5 ingredients until well blended. In another bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking cocoa and baking soda; gradually beat into oil mixture.
  2. Transfer batter to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove parchment. Cool completely.
  3. For frosting, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Using a long serrated knife, trim tops of cakes; set tops aside. Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer, bottom side up. Frost top and side with remaining frosting.
  4. Break cake tops into pieces. Pulse in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Decorate cake with crumbs as desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 559 calories, 33g fat (8g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 208mg sodium, 64g carbohydrate (48g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.