Red Velvet Cake
- SERVES
- 12
- COOK TIME
- 35 Min
Did you know that ruby-colored red velvet cake, with its sinfully good cream cheese frosting, originated in the South? Our Red Velvet Cake recipe is made with a cake mix, so you can get to enjoying every last velvety forkful a little quicker!
What You'll Need
- 1 (16.25-ounce) package butter-flavored yellow cake mix
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
- 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter, softened, divided
- 1 cup water
- 3 eggs
- 1 (1-ounce) bottle red food color
- 1 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon milk
What to Do
- Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Coat two 8-inch round cake pans with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, with an electric beater on medium speed, beat cake mix, cocoa, 1/2 cup butter, the water, and eggs until well combined. Add food color and beat until well combined. Pour batter into prepared cake pans.
- Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool 15 minutes then invert onto wire rack to cool completely. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice each cake in half horizontally, making a total of 4 cake layers.
- In a medium bowl, with an electric beater on medium speed, beat confectioners' sugar, cream cheese, milk, and remaining 1/4 cup butter until well combined and smooth.
- Place 1 cake layer cut-side down on a serving platter and top with 1/4 of the frosting, spreading just to the edge. Repeat 3 more times with remaining cake layers and frosting, ending with frosting on top and leaving sides unfrosted. Serve, or cover loosely and chill until ready to serve.
Notes
To make a more traditional two-layer cake, watch the video for instructions.
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nancyskipper 16704 78
Dec 01, 2015
With this recipe you have a red chocolate cake. A true red velvet cake is a chocolate cake, true. But it has other ingredients that make the flavor a tad different and uniquely "Red Velvet" and not just a red chocolate cake....
nancyskipper 16704 78
Dec 01, 2015
Also, I never use 'mixes' to make anything. Truly from scratch only!
mahhanks64 8321707
Dec 23, 2014
I have the same question as a previous commentor. Will it work for a smaller box of mix? kdakeller46 3434101 Oct 28, 2013 I cannot ever find boxed cake mixes that are 18.25 oz. I have searched local grocery stores and Wal-Mart. Will it come out the same if it is 16.5?
Test Kitchen Team
Dec 24, 2014
Yes, you can use a 16.25-ounce box of cake mix without a problem! Enjoy!
Keetheyboy
Feb 09, 2014
This is a great cake - easy to make and DELICIOUS! Made it for Christmas and it was a huge hit. Try it, you'll LOVE it.
elmo2411
Feb 03, 2014
Ill Take red velvet cake over chocolate cake anyday. Thank You Very Much.
jr4blake 7740616
Nov 01, 2013
Hotmama45 I would love to have your recipe if you could share, my motherinlaw would make this cake and it sounds like her recipe. ( I cant find her recipe ) Thank you
kdakeller46 343410 1
Oct 28, 2013
I cannot ever find boxed cake mixes that are 18.25 oz. I have searched local grocery stores and Wal-Mart. Will it come out the same if it is 16.5?
Silverfire UK
Nov 05, 2012
Isn't Red Velvet Cake supposed to be made with Beetroot? As per Passion Cake being made with Carrots.
clilly64 8659474
Feb 14, 2012
Hotmama45 I would love the recipe in my email....clilly64@yahoo.com
tamibaker2 6153033
Oct 03, 2011
The idea of using a whole bottle of red food coloring makes me gag! Red Velvet Cake is just a chocolate cake with a bottle of food coloring dumped in. Yuck - I'd rather just bake a chocolate cake!
Hotmama 45
Feb 13, 2012
@ tamibaker2 6153033 The red velvet cake I make does not have chocolate cake. It is made from scratch and even requires vinegar and buttermilk. I can email the recipie to you if you'd like to try it. :)
lornadoone 1819306
Feb 03, 2011
This is ridiculous - not able to get any PDF of this! What a ripoff!
MrFoodcom Editors
Jun 09, 2010
Yes, it is, Donna. Thanks for catching this for us! We made the update in the recipe.
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