Luscious Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (6-inch)

Dive into the rich and velvety world of this Red Velvet Cake, a classic dessert that never fails to impress. Made with a unique combination of hot coffee, cocoa, and beet powder or red food coloring, this cake offers a deep, vibrant color and an irresistibly moist crumb. Paired with a smooth and tangy cream cheese frosting, it’s the perfect balance of flavors. Whether for a special occasion or a cozy gathering, this cake is sure to be a showstopper.

Why You’ll Love This:

• Deep Red Velvet Flavor: The coffee and cocoa blend creates a rich, complex base.
• Perfect Moisture: Buttermilk and eggs ensure a tender, moist texture.
• Elegant Presentation: A beautiful red hue with a classic cream cheese frosting.
• Natural Color Option: Use beet powder for a natural alternative to food coloring.
• Festive Decoration: Garnished with cranberries, thyme, and a dusting of sugar for a festive touch.

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1/4 cup hot coffee
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract or paste
• 1 whole egg + 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
• 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• 3-4 tbsp beet powder or red gel food coloring
• 1 3/4 cups cake flour (spooned and leveled)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt

For the Frosting:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 6 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tsp vanilla extract or paste
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 6-inch cake pans.
2. Mix together coffee, cocoa powder, and vinegar. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk or beat butter, oil, sugars, vanilla, and eggs until smooth.
4. Stir beet powder into buttermilk, then add to the wet ingredients, mixing well.
5. Add flour, baking powder, and salt, whisking until mostly incorporated.
6. Fold in the coffee mixture until just combined.
7. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans, and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Let cakes cool slightly in pans before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
9. For the frosting, beat butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
10. Frost the cooled cake, and garnish with cranberries, thyme, and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Enjoy this stunning Red Velvet Cake, a decadent treat that combines elegance with rich, comforting flavors! 🍰🌹✨