Slow-Roasted Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-28 · Updated 2026-05-28

A moist red velvet cake, slow-baked to develop deep flavor and topped with smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting for a classic holiday dessert. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 90 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tbsp red food coloring
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 8 oz, softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup, softened unsalted butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract for frosting

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. In a large bowl, sift together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt.
2. Step 2: In another bowl, whisk 1 cup buttermilk, 1 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 2 tbsp red food coloring, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tsp white vinegar until combined.
3. Step 3: Gradually add wet ingredients to dry, mixing until smooth and uniform.
4. Step 4: Pour batter evenly into two greased 9-inch round cake pans and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
5. Step 5: Let cakes cool completely on wire racks before frosting.
6. Step 6: For frosting, beat together 8 oz softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter until creamy.
7. Step 7: Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract, beating until smooth and fluffy.
8. Step 8: Spread frosting evenly between cake layers and over top and sides. Chill 30 minutes before serving for best texture.