Wife made a Southern Homemade Red Velvet Cake

1. Prepare the Cake:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla until well blended.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until smooth and well combined.
5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

2. Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together until smooth.
2. Add the sugar gradually, beating on low speed until combined, then on high speed until frosting is smooth and creamy.

3. Assemble the Cake:

1. Once the cakes are completely cool, place one cake layer on a serving plate.
2. Spread frosting over the first layer, then top with the second layer.
3. Spread frosting over the top and sides of the cake.
4. If desired, press chopped pecans around the sides of the cake for decoration.

Serving and Storage:

• Serving: Serve the cake at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
• Storage: Store any leftover cake in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese frosting. It will keep for up to 5 days.

Tips for Perfection:

• Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
• Smooth Frosting: To achieve a smooth frosting, make sure both the butter and cream cheese are at room temperature before mixing.
• Coloring: Adjust the amount of red food coloring based on the depth of color desired. Gel food coloring can provide a more intense color without adding too much liquid to the batter.

Enjoy your Southern Homemade Red Velvet Cake, a dessert that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious, perfect for special occasions or as a treat to brighten any day.