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Red velvet cake, a gem in the treasure chest of Southern cuisine, has woven itself into the fabric of Southern gatherings. Originating in the era when cocoa powder started making its mark, this cake embodied celebration and comfort.

Known for its velvet-smooth texture, this cake has become a staple at celebrations, delighting taste buds and marking special occasions with its unique color and flavor. By incorporating ingredients such as cocoa powder, buttermilk, and vinegar, along with the signature cream cheese frosting, both professional chefs and home bakers have preserved a tradition that symbolizes the warmth and hospitality of the South.

Over the years, red velvet cake has evolved from just a dessert to a cherished heirloom, passing on stories and love from one generation to the next.

Red velvet cake the Southern way

Surprising? Maybe. Genius? Definitely. Adding mayonnaise and sour cream to Southern red velvet cake is a time-honored baker’s secret trick for boosting moisture, richness, and flavor depth without making the cake heavy.

What red velvet cake tastes like

Southern red velvet cake is a slice of pure indulgence! Smooth, rich, and unforgettable. Imagine sinking your fork into a soft, velvety crumb that’s moist and tender, with the slightest hint of cocoa teasing your taste buds.

It’s not a chocolate cake. It’s more refined than that. There’s a whisper of chocolate, just enough to give depth, but balanced by a gentle tang from the buttermilk and vinegar that makes the flavor come alive.

One bite and you’re transported, maybe to a Southern Sunday dinner, a family reunion, or a holiday table where red velvet is the crown jewel of desserts. It’s not just cake. It’s tradition, comfort, and celebration all wrapped in one irresistible bite.

Southern ingredients

Making red velvet cake from scratch involves more than a handful of baker’s ingredients, including baking soda, sugar, cocoa powder, buttermilk, white vinegar, and red food coloring. And the addition of mayo and sour cream are power-moves—the kind Southern bakers use to ensure their red velvet is the stuff of legends!

Cake batter

All-purpose flour provides the structure, sifted for a soft, tender crumb.
Granulated sugar sweetens the cake and helps retain moisture.
Unsweetened cocoa powder – Just a touch adds depth without turning it into a full-on chocolate cake.
Baking soda reacts with the acidic ingredients to create lift and a delicate texture.
Salt enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.

Moisture and richness

Buttermilk is the soul of red velvet. Tangy and acidic, it tenderizes the crumb and boosts flavor.
Eggs bind everything together while adding richness.
Vegetable oil and butter are both used to keep the cake extra moist.
Sour cream and mayonnaise are power moves! The kind Southern bakers use to ensure their red velvet is the stuff of legends—extra moist with that signature Southern richness!

Color and flavor

Wite vinegar works with the baking soda for lift and enhances the tangy taste.
Vanilla extract balances and rounds out the cocoa and acidity.
Red food coloring gives the cake its iconic deep red hue. Traditional recipes used beet juice, but today it’s usually liquid or gel food coloring.

Best frosting for red velvet cake

Today’s modern Southern red velvet cake is typically frosted with a mixture of cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. This frosting is a savory-sweet blend that is rich and creamy, providing the perfect contrast to the cake itself!

In contrast, traditional Southern red velvet cake used a lighter and fluffier frosting, known as ermine frosting. This cooked flour-based frosting is airy and creamy, resembling whipped cream, and is less sweet than the cream cheese icing used today.

How to make Southern red velvet cake

Making a Southern red velvet cake involves several steps, but these steps are not difficult. They simply require care and attention, as is the case with most Southern baking. This classic layer cake is more about attention to detail than complexity.

Decide whether to make a single-layer or layered cake. If you choose layers, you will need at least two cakes. Next, grease the cake pan(s) and set aside.
Combine the wet ingredients in a mixing bowl and set aside.
Combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and set aside as well.
In a third bowl, gradually mix the remaining ingredients before combining them with the wet and dry mixtures.
Bake the cake(s), let them cool, frost them, and enjoy!

For set-it-and-forget-it ease, use my Instant Pot red velvet cake recipe!

🎙 Listen to the recipe on the The Soul Food Pod episode: Black Folks Southern Red Velvet Cake

What does red velvet cake taste like with frosting?

What does this cake taste like with frosting?

Red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting is like a love letter in dessert form! It’s tender, tangy, and deeply flavored, with a touch of Southern soul in every bite. The melt-in-your-mouth velvet texture that the cake is named for is beautifully enhanced by the addition of homemade cream cheese frosting.

How to store homemade cake

Cakes with cream cheese frosting are best stored in the refrigerator.

Chilling a cake with cream cheese frosting not only helps preserve it but also gives the frosting a firmer texture, making it easier to slice when serving. It’s recommended to refrigerate your red velvet cake for at least one hour before serving.