Easy Paula Deen Red Velvet Cake Recipe: Lovely Southern Sweetness

Paula Deen’s red velvet cake represents a Southern classic that transforms ordinary ingredients into a spectacular dessert experience.

Generations of bakers have celebrated this crimson-hued delicacy with passionate enthusiasm.

Rich chocolate undertones blend seamlessly with subtle tanginess, creating a complex flavor profile that surprises and delights.

Soft, velvety layers promise a moist texture that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Cream cheese frosting complements the cake deep red color, offering a luxurious counterpoint to its tender crumb.

Each slice tells a story of culinary tradition and sweet indulgence.

Passionate home bakers can recreate this iconic dessert with confidence and creativity: let the baking adventure begin!

Why Paula Deen’s Red Velvet Cake is Perfect for Celebrations

• Create Stunning Visual Appeal: The vibrant red color of this cake makes it an absolute showstopper, transforming an ordinary dessert into a dramatic centerpiece that will impress guests and create Instagram-worthy moments.
• Achieve Luxurious Texture Perfection: Paula Deen's recipe delivers an incredibly moist, tender crumb that melts in your mouth, combining buttermilk's softness with a delicate, velvety texture that sets this cake apart from typical desserts.
• Master Quick and Easy Baking: With just one hour of total preparation and baking time, this red velvet cake offers a simple yet sophisticated dessert solution for busy home bakers, requiring minimal technical skills and delivering maximum flavor impact.
• Celebrate Special Occasions Elegantly: This classic Southern-style cake is perfect for Valentine's Day, birthdays, weddings, or any festive gathering where you want to create a memorable culinary experience that feels both nostalgic and luxurious.

Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Red Velvet Cake

• Eggs: Key protein source that provides structure and richness to the cake.
• Sugar: Essential for sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Butter: Adds moisture and rich flavor to the cake.
• Cocoa Powder: Provides deep chocolate undertone and deep color.
• Red Food Coloring: Gives the signature vibrant red color to the cake.

• Cake Flour: Provides delicate texture with lower protein content than all-purpose flour.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a tender crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, aromatic background flavor.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a light texture.
• Vinegar: Activates baking soda and contributes to cake's tender crumb.

How to Make Paula Deen’s Red Velvet Cake

Step 1: Prepare Cake Base

Gather ingredients and preheat oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until smooth and creamy. In a separate small bowl, combine cocoa powder and red food coloring to create a vibrant mixture. Melt 2 sticks of butter and incorporate into the egg mixture, then blend in the cocoa mixture until fully integrated.

Step 2: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients

Sift together cake flour and salt in a clean bowl. Slowly add flour mixture to the cake base, alternating with buttermilk. Pour in vanilla extract and mix thoroughly until batter becomes silky and uniform.

Step 3: Activate Baking Soda

In a small bowl, mix baking soda and vinegar. Gently fold this fizzy combination into the cake batter, ensuring even distribution.

Step 4: Bake and Cool Cake Layers

Grease and flour 3 round 8-inch cake pans. Distribute batter evenly among pans. Bake for 20-25 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.

Tips for Perfect Red Velvet Cake

• Prevent Icing Meltdown: Cool cakes completely before frosting to stop icing from sliding off and maintaining a clean, professional look.
• Measure Precisely: Use a measuring cup when dividing batter between pans, guaranteeing uniform cake layers with consistent thickness and baking time.
• Boost Cake Fluffiness: Add vinegar and baking soda just before pouring batter into pans, creating a chemical reaction that makes the cake extra light and airy.
• Maintain Ingredient Harmony: Bring butter, cream cheese, and eggs to room temperature, ensuring a smooth, lump-free batter that blends seamlessly.
• Preserve Texture Perfection: Gently fold coconut and pecans into icing at the very end, keeping their crunch and preventing the frosting from becoming overly dense.

How to Store Paula Deen’s Red Velvet Cake

• Airtight Container Method: Seal the cake in a high-quality, hard-sided container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent moisture loss and protect flavor integrity. Wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap before placing inside the container for maximum freshness and prevention of freezer burn.
• Layered Preservation Method: Position cake slices between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain structural integrity. Store in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, where temperature remains most consistent and prevents rapid moisture evaporation.
• Freezing Strategy Method: Divide cake into individual portions before freezing to enable convenient, single-serving thawing. Double-wrap each slice using plastic wrap, then place inside a labeled freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent potential freezer damage and preserve original taste and texture.

Creative Twists on Paula Deen’s Red Velvet Cake

• Chocolate Chip Crunch: Fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter for added texture and rich chocolate flavor. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top of the frosting for extra crunch.
• Cream Cheese Marble: Create a marbled effect by swirling cream cheese mixture through the red velvet batter before baking. Use a knife to create beautiful swirl patterns for a visually stunning cake.
• Nutty Berry Fusion: Mix chopped almonds into the batter and top the cake with fresh raspberries or strawberries between layers. Drizzle a light berry compote over the frosting for a fruity enhancement.
• Salted Caramel Edition: Add a layer of homemade salted caramel sauce between cake layers. Sprinkle sea salt flakes on top of the cream cheese frosting for a sophisticated sweet-salty balance.

Final Thoughts on Paula Deen’s Red Velvet Cake

Paula Deen’s red velvet cake emerges as Southern culinary royalty, blending rich chocolate undertones with classic buttermilk complexity.

Crimson layers whisper stories of traditional kitchens where baking feels like pure art.

Butter and cocoa dance together, creating a texture that melts gracefully on eager palates.

Southern charm meets sophisticated baking technique in this classic dessert celebration.

Precise measurements guarantee perfection with each careful slice.

Passionate bakers and dessert enthusiasts: share this recipe, spread deliciousness across social networks, and let sweet memories inspire kitchen adventures.

Paula Deen Red Velvet Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Paula Deen’s Red Velvet Cake delivers Southern charm with its luxurious crimson layers and silky cream cheese frosting. Classic Southern baking meets indulgent dessert perfection, inviting you to savor each rich, velvety slice of this timeless Southern classic.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups cake flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs

Wet Ingredients:

• 3 sticks butter (2 for cake, 1 softened for icing)
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 2 oz (56 grams) red food coloring

Icing and Topping Ingredients:

• 1 (8 oz) (226 grams) package cream cheese
• 1 (16 oz) (454 grams) box confectioner’s sugar
• 1 cup melted marshmallows
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup chopped pecans

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C). In a spacious mixing bowl, vigorously whisk eggs and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
2. Create a rich cocoa mixture by blending cocoa powder and red food coloring in a separate small bowl until smooth and vibrant.
3. Incorporate softened butter (226 grams or 2 sticks) into the egg-sugar blend, then gently fold in the cocoa mixture until fully integrated and uniform in color.
4. Sift cake flour and salt together in a separate bowl to eliminate any lumps and ensure a delicate texture.
5. Gradually introduce the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk, and mix gently to maintain the batter’s airiness. Stir in vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
6. In a small dish, combine baking soda and white vinegar, which will create a chemical reaction that helps the cake rise and become tender. Fold this mixture into the batter with minimal stirring.
7. Prepare three 8-inch (20 cm) cake pans by greasing and lightly flouring to prevent sticking. Distribute the batter evenly among the pans.
8. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with no raw batter.
9. Allow cakes to rest in their pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack to reach room temperature before frosting.

Notes

• Whip room temperature ingredients to create a silky, lump-free batter that blends seamlessly.
• Activate the magical rising power by combining vinegar and baking soda just before pouring into cake pans.
• Measure each cake layer precisely using a cup to guarantee uniform baking and professional-looking results.
• Let your cake completely chill before decorating to prevent icing from sliding into a melty mess.
• Gently incorporate coconut and pecans with a delicate touch to maintain their perfect crunch and texture.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 40g
• Sodium: 350mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 70mg