Okay, fellow busy moms, let’s chat over coffee about something sweet and comforting! You know those days when you want to make something special, but the thought of a complicated recipe just makes you want to hide under the covers? I get it! That’s why I’m so excited to share my go-to Red Velvet Valentines Day Cake Recipe. It’s a sanity-saving dessert that brings a touch of love and a whole lot of happiness to our family table, without requiring a culinary degree.
I first tried making a Red Velvet Valentines Day Cake Recipe years ago when I was feeling particularly ambitious around Valentine’s Day. I wanted to make something festive, but the store-bought options felt impersonal. The first attempt was…well, let’s just say it wasn’t pretty. The cake was dry, the frosting was a disaster, and my kids weren’t impressed, lol.
But I’m stubborn, and I knew there had to be a way to make a delicious Red Velvet Valentines Day Cake Recipe that was actually doable for a busy mom like me. Through trial and error (and a few kitchen meltdowns!), I finally perfected a recipe that’s simple, delicious, and always a hit. It’s now a comfort food staple in our house, especially around Valentine’s Day.
This Red Velvet Valentines Day Cake Recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s a symbol of love and connection for my family. The vibrant color, the soft texture, and the rich flavor always bring smiles to their faces. Plus, it’s a reminder that even amidst the chaos of daily life, we can find time to create moments of joy and togetherness.
So, if you’re looking for a simple and comforting Red Velvet Valentines Day Cake Recipe that will make your family feel loved, you’ve come to the right place! This recipe is all about creating deliciousness without the stress, so grab your apron and let’s get baking! I’m here to guide you every step of the way, sharing my comfort food wisdom and sanity-saving tips. Let’s bring some love into our kitchens and create a memorable Valentine’s Day for our families.
INGREDIENTS You’ll Need:
Trust me, this Red Velvet Valentines Day Cake Recipe ingredient list is simple because busy moms need comfort without complexity! No fancy ingredients or complicated techniques here. Just straightforward goodness that will deliver a delicious and satisfying result.
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: This provides the structure for our cake. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can use cake flour for an even softer texture.
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar: Sweetness is essential, right? Feel free to reduce it slightly if you prefer a less sweet cake.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: This helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy. Make sure it’s fresh for the best results!
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: A little extra lift for our cake!
- 1 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
- 1 cup buttermilk: This adds moisture and tanginess, which are key to the red velvet flavor. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
- 1 cup vegetable oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender. You can also use canola oil or melted coconut oil.
- 2 large eggs: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring: This gives the cake its signature red color. You can use gel food coloring for a more intense color.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor and adds a touch of warmth.
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar: Reacts with the baking soda to create a light and airy texture.
- 1 cup hot coffee: This deepens the chocolate flavor and adds moisture. Don’t worry, you won’t taste the coffee!
- Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened: The base of our tangy and delicious frosting.
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and creaminess to the frosting.
- 4 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the frosting.
You can find these simple ingredients at your regular grocery store. This Red Velvet Valentines Day Cake Recipe proves delicious doesn’t mean expensive or hard to find! My family gets extra comfort when I add a sprinkle of chocolate chips to the batter – it’s our little secret indulgence! Trust me, this Red Velvet Valentines Day Cake Recipe ingredient list is simple because busy moms need comfort without complexity! For a little more depth, I sometimes use a dark cocoa powder.
Let’s Make it Happen!
Okay, fellow comfort seekers, let’s get down to business and bake this amazing Red Velvet Valentines Day Cake Recipe! Don’t worry, I’ll guide you through each step, just like we’re cooking together in my kitchen. Remember, it’s all about simple comfort, so don’t stress about perfection!
- Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This ensures your cake doesn’t stick and comes out beautifully.
- Dry Ingredients Unite: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Make sure everything is evenly distributed for a consistent cake.
- Wet Ingredients Combine: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, oil, eggs, red food coloring, and vanilla extract. This creates the liquid base for our cake.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough cake.
- Add the Secret Ingredients: Stir in the vinegar and hot coffee. The batter will be thin, but that’s okay! These ingredients help activate the baking soda and deepen the chocolate flavor.
- Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. In my busy kitchen, this comforting Red Velvet Valentines Day Cake Recipe usually takes about 32 minutes. Perfect time to prep tomorrow’s lunch!
- Cool Completely: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the cake from sticking and allows it to cool evenly.
- Make the Frosting: While the cake is cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Add the Sweetness: Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Frost and Decorate: Once the cake is completely cool, frost it with the cream cheese frosting. Get creative with your decorations! You can add sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or fresh berries. Your Red Velvet Valentines Day Cake Recipe should smell amazing by now!
- Chill Out: For best results, chill the frosted cake in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the frosting to set and the flavors to meld together.
How We Love to Eat This!
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Is this Red Velvet Valentines Day Cake Recipe really filling enough for growing kids?
What if my picky eater won’t try this Red Velvet Valentines Day Cake Recipe?
Can I meal prep this Red Velvet Valentines Day Cake Recipe for busy weeks ahead?
Can I substitute the red food coloring with something natural?
What’s the best way to store this Red Velvet Valentines Day Cake Recipe?
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Can I make cupcakes instead of a cake?
Final Thoughts:
- Use a Box Grater: Grate cold butter into your flour mixture for an extra tender crumb.
- Coffee Power: Always add a cup of hot coffee to the batter. The coffee enhances the cocoa flavor, making it richer and more complex.
- Frosting First: Chill the cake before frosting for easier application and a smoother finish.
- Chocolate Chip Red Velvet: Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the batter for an extra touch of indulgence.
- Red Velvet Cheesecake Swirl: Swirl cream cheese filling into the batter before baking for a decadent twist. You might also like this Red and White Valentine’s Day Cake.
- Red Velvet Oreo Cake: Fold crushed Oreos into the batter for a fun and flavorful surprise.
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Red Velvet Valentines Day Cake Recipe
This Red Velvet Valentines Day Cake is the perfect romantic dessert. Rich, moist, and beautifully decorated, it’s sure to impress your loved one.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot brewed coffee
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, combine oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Slowly pour in the hot coffee, mixing until smooth.
- Divide batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the top of one layer, place the second layer on top, and frost the entire cake.
- Decorate as desired for Valentine’s Day.
Notes
For a richer flavor, use Dutch-processed cocoa powder in the batter (about 2 tablespoons). Garnish with heart-shaped sprinkles for a festive touch.