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Red velvet cake
Heat the oven to 175°C. Grease two 23 cm round cake tins and line the bases with baking paper.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Red velvet cake take?
3 hr 12 min all in — 40 min prep, 32 min cook, 2 hr rest. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 12 slices. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Medium.
How spicy is it?
No chilli.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Wheat, Milk, Eggs. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Vegetarian, Nut-free.
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What does it cost to cook?
A bit special — about $16–28 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Mixing bowl, Oven, Kitchen scale.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at 1 tsp.
How much sugar?
300 g of Sugar.
How much vinegar?
1 tsp (white) of Vinegar.
What can I use instead?
Cream cheese frosting → Ermine frosting. Cook 40 g flour with 250 ml milk to a thick paste, cool, then beat into 225 g butter creamed with 200 g sugar. Lighter and less tangy; the older Southern choice. Red food colouring → Beetroot powder. Gives a dull maroon rather than scarlet. The cake tastes the same. Stories of wartime beetroot red velvet are more legend than record.
What should I watch for?
Beating cream cheese too long makes it thin and soupy. Stop as soon as it is smooth.
Any tips from this recipe?
Gel colouring gives a deeper red with no bitterness. Supermarket liquid colouring needs the full two tablespoons. The cake keeps three days in the fridge. Take it out 30 minutes before serving so the crumb softens. For cupcakes, fill 24 lined cups two-thirds full and bake for 18 to 20 minutes.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.