Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients

For the cake:

2 + 1/2 cups flour

1 + 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

 2 tablespoons cocoa powder

 1 cup buttermilk (if unavailable, add 1 tablespoon lemon juice to 1 cup milk)

    1/2 cup vegetable oil

    2 large eggs

    1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    1 teaspoon vinegar

    Red gel food coloring (1 teaspoon or desired shade)

Frosting (Cream Cheese Frosting):

    300 g cream cheese (not cold)

    100 g butter (at room temperature)

    1.5 cups powdered sugar

    1 teaspoon vanilla

Preparation

1️⃣ Cake

1.    Preheat the oven to 175°C.

2.    Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl: flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt.

3.    In a separate bowl, whisk the wet ingredients: eggs, buttermilk, oil, vanilla, red food coloring.

4. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir.
   5. Finally, add the vinegar and stir quickly (the reaction will make the cake rise).
   6. Divide the mixture between two 20–22 cm round cake pans.
5. Bake for 25–30 minutes. A toothpick should come out clean.
   8. Let the cakes cool completely.

2️⃣ Cream Cheese Frosting

1.    Beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth.

2.    Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat.

3. Chill in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.

3️⃣ Assembly

    Cover the first layer with frosting.

    Add the second layer and frost the top and sides.

    You can add a crumb coating if desired.