Red Velvet Layer Cake with Raspberry Buttercream

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  • August 10, 2025
Breakfast

This elegant and moist red velvet layer cake is the ultimate treat for birthdays, anniversaries, or romantic celebrations like Valentine’s Day. With rich layers of red velvet sponge and a silky raspberry-tinted buttercream frosting, it’s as gorgeous as it is delicious! Topped with piped swirls and fresh raspberries, this cake is a total showstopper on any dessert table.

Ingredients

For the Red Velvet Cake:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp cocoa powder

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 1 ½ cups vegetable oil

  • 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)

  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)

  • 2 tbsp red food coloring

  • 1 tsp white vinegar

  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Raspberry Buttercream:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

  • 3–4 cups powdered sugar (sifted)

  • ¼ cup raspberry puree (strained) or seedless raspberry jam

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • A pinch of salt

  • Pink food coloring (optional, for deeper color)

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Red Velvet Layers

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans.

  2. In a bowl, sift flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

  3. In a separate large bowl, whisk together oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla extract.

  4. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined—don’t overmix!

  5. Divide batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

  6. Cool completely before frosting.

Step 2: Prepare Raspberry Buttercream

  1. Beat butter until creamy and light.

  2. Add raspberry puree, vanilla, and salt.

  3. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy and smooth.

  4. Add pink coloring if you want a more vibrant hue.

Step 3: Assemble the Cake

  1. Level your cake layers if needed.

  2. Spread a generous amount of raspberry buttercream between the layers.

  3. Frost the outside smoothly and pipe decorative swirls on top.

  4. Garnish each swirl with a fresh raspberry.

Pro Tips

  • For smoother buttercream, make sure your raspberry puree is seedless and well-strained.

  • Chill the cake before slicing for the cleanest cuts.

  • Add a touch of lemon juice to the frosting if you want extra tang!

Want to see how to layer, frost, and decorate like a pro? Watch the video at the end of the article on our website for full visual guidance!

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