Grandma’s Red Velvet Cake
In our family no one thinks it’s Christmas without this Red Velvet Cake recipe. I baked the first one for Christmas in 1963 when I found the recipe in the newspaper and my Mother kept the tradition going into the ’80s. It’s different than other Red Velvet Cakes I’ve tasted over the years, since this one tastes only mildly chocolate and the icing is as light as snow. —Kathryn H. Davison, Charlotte, North Carolina
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1-1/2 cups sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 bottles (1 ounce each) red food coloring
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-1/4 cups cake flour
- 2 tablespoons baking cocoa
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- FROSTING:
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 2 cups butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
Reviews
I wish there was a picture anywhere of how this case is supposed to turn out. This recipe calls for baking soda, but now I’m thinking maybe baking powder may have caused a little bit of a better rise? Am I wrong?
Love this recipe! It is just like my grandma use to make! I will definitely use this again!
I'm nearly 54 yrs. old
Really yummy! I used Hershey's special dark cocoa and did throw a little extra in because I love chocolate. I will use the frosting recipe as my go to frosting from now on.
After made, is it safe to leave on the counter for 3-4 days or does it need to be refrigerated? Im hopeful it can since there’s no cream cheese and no “sweet” milk. I’m looking forward to making this today!
If I wanted to make a sheet cake instead of a layered cake, how long would I cook it for?
I prepared this delicious cake last night to take to a church event. I followed the recipe with no changes. I do recommend turning the mixer off when adding the food coloring to avoid splattering. I used parchment in the cake pans and the layers came out beautifully. This is a beautiful and delicious cake.Volunteer Field Editor
if a chemical reaction in the cake mix is supposed to turn the cake red then why the need for red food coloring?
I'm reading all of the reviews before I try the recipe. The comments saying they added more chocolate are making my eyes twitch. Traditional red velvet cake is very mild chocolate flavor. It's not supposed to taste like a chocolate cake.The 2 tablespoons of cocoa, buttermilk and vinegar in this recipe has me thinking this one is right on track. I'll try it soon.
AWESOME!! I've been looking for this recipe forever. This was the original red velvet cake my sister made years and years ago. Somewhere along the like we both misplaced the recipe. There are lots and lots of red velvet cakes out there but no frosting like this one. Other recipes we've seen don't have the cooked thickened frosting!! Makes for such a PRETTY and DELICIOUS cake with a really great texture!!! Thank you for posting this recipe!!