Ingredients
For the Cake:
2¼ cups cake flour
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup buttermilk
2 tbsp vegetable oil
½ cup butter, room temperature
1½ cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tsp red food coloring gel (or 2 tsp liquid)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz full-fat cream cheese
½ cup butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp heavy cream (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Cream the butter, oil, and sugar in a large bowl for 3–5 minutes until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Whisk dry ingredients (cake flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt) in a separate bowl.
5. In another bowl, combine buttermilk, vinegar, and red food dye.
6. Add dry and wet ingredients alternately to the butter mixture in 3 rounds, starting and ending with flour. Mix gently.
7. Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top evenly.
8. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
9. Cool completely before frosting.
10. To make frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix until fluffy. Add cream to adjust consistency if needed.
Notes
Chill your cake before frosting for a clean, bakery-style finish.
Top with fresh berries or edible flowers for a festive touch.
Freeze unfrosted cake for up to 2 months; frost after thawing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg