This layered red velvet cake is perfect for Juneteenth celebrations due to its classic crimson color. Scratch-made tangy cream cheese frosting and a crown of chocolate-covered strawberries finish it off beautifully.
Happy Juneteenth! This is what I'm pulling up to the Freedom Day cookout with with utter joy since the this historic day has finally been named a national holiday by the US Senate. It only took 156 years... Anyway, red foods are a mainstay of Juneteenth celebrations because the color symbolizes the bloodshed and resilience of our ancestors. My ultimate red velvet layer cake was originally published in February 2015 since it's quite fitting for Valentine's Day and has been one of the most popular and recreated dishes ever since with very good reason. This dessert combines two classic sweets that are often associated with the holiday. It's also much easier to make than it looks, so don't be intimidated at all. Let's get into the details, along with a roundup of cookout contributions from Black food creatives all over the country so you know exactly what foods to serve for Juneteenth.
If you love layer cakes, try these next!
Join me in celebrating Juneteenth by checking out the list of contributors to the 2021 Juneteenth Virtual Cookout down below. 40+ black creators contributed to this collaborative menu as a Freedom Day tribute. Juneteenth marks our country’s second independence day, the final emancipation of those enslaved in the US announced in 1865. Join in, share, and help us continue the legacy of celebrating progress. Additionally, you can easily follow each participant by using the hashtag #JuneteenthCookout2021 on Instagram.
Is Red Velvet Cake Chocolate?
In short, yes. Red velvet cake is simply chocolate cake dyed red. It also incorporates buttermilk or vinegar for a bit of twang but is basically chocolate cake in disguise. I hope I haven't spoiled your holiday, but I felt it needed to be said. Now, here's a little sappiness to dry your tears: serving others (especially with food) is how I like to show love, and if you are the same way, this Valentine's Day red velvet cake will do the trick!
There are technically three recipes in this post. One is for the red velvet layer cake itself, another for homemade cream cheese frosting from scratch, and the third for white chocolate-dipped strawberries. While we're on the topic, white chocolate is not actually chocolate. I know I'm probably rocking your world right now but stick with me. Red velvet cake from scratch is simple.
Tips for Making Cream Cheese Frosting from Scratch
Scratch-made cream cheese frosting is very easy to make but there are a few things that can trip you up in the process. For smooth, creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting at home, here's what you should note:
- Be sure to soften your cream cheese to room temperature. Cream cheese that is too cold will result in lumpy frosting.
- For the same reasons, use softened butter, as well. When I make homemade cream cheese frosting, I love this trick for softening butter quickly.
- Sift your powdered sugar. This also helps prevent lumps and ensures a smooth texture. If you don't have a sifter or strainer, use a whisk or fork to find and crush any powdered sugar lumps. This is an important step for how to make cream cheese frosting smooth.
How to Decorate a Red Velvet Layer Cake
This red velvet layer cake makes a stunning centerpiece in any Juneteenth spread and decorating it is as easy as 1-2-3. Here are the simple steps.
- Frost and fill your red velvet layer cake with homemade cream cheese frosting.
- Place white chocolate-covered strawberries on top of the cake.
- Press red velvet cake crumbs into the sides of the cake and sprinkle more over top.
The deep red hue and chocolate-covered strawberries make this red velvet layer cake an ultra romantic Valentine's Day dessert but it's fantastic for any time of year. If you're looking for a signature dessert dish to take to cookouts or present on holiday tables, this is the one.
I hope y'all continue loving and making this red velvet layer cake recipe for yourselves and would love to see your renditions! If you share them on social media, tag me (@dashofjazzblog) so I can show you some love. And make sure you pin this deep red dessert on Pinterest, too. Thanks for reading!
How to Make Red Velvet Layer Cake
The Ultimate Red Velvet Layer Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ cup oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ounce red food coloring
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- ½ cup butter softened and cut into chunks
- 4 cups powdered sugar sifted
White Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
- 5 strawberries washed and patted dry
- 1 cup white chocolate chips melted according to package instructions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour two round, nine-inch baking pans. Mix together dry cake ingredients in one bowl and wet in another.
- Combine bowls and mix well with a whisk. Pour batter into pans and bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- While the cake bakes, dip strawberries in chocolate and set aside on a sheet of wax or parchment paper to harden.
- Cool cakes in pans for ten minutes, then transfer to wire racks. Cool completely before frosting. If tops of cakes are too rounded, horizontally slice a bit off the tops in order to make them flat, so that they won't crack when stacked. Save the bits you cut off and crumble them into a bowl. This can be used to decorate the cake when finished.
- While the cakes cool, in a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the butter, cream cheese, and one cup of the powdered sugar. Add remaining powdered sugar one cup at a time and beat until smooth.
- Frost between layers of cake then a light crumb coat around the sides and top. Cover entire cake with the final, thicker layer of frosting then decorate as you desire. I like to coat the sides of the cake with excess crumbs then sprinkle more over top of the berries.
Nutrition
Black Food Bloggers' Recipes to Serve for Juneteenth
- Watermelon Ice Pops by A Girl Called Adri
- Juneteenth Soul Rolls by Black Girls Who Brunch
- Honey Buttermilk Biscuits with Roasted Strawberries by Britney Breaks Bread
- Strawberry Collins by Brownbelle
- Peach Cobbler Cinnamon Rolls by Butter Be Ready
- Red Hot Pepper Shrimps by Chef and Steward
- Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins by Chef Curl Ardee
- Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake by Chenée Today
- Vegan Ranch Style Beans by Collards Are The Old Kale
- Jamaican Jerk BBQ Ribs by Cooks with Soul
- Sweet and Tangy Coleslaw by Crumb-Snatched
- Strawberry-Basil Sorbet by D.M.R. Fine Foods
- Red Velvet Layer Cake with Chocolate Covered Strawberries by Dash of Jazz
- Red Velvet Cookies by Dish It With Tisha
- Brisket Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes by Dude That Cookz
- BBQ Baked Beans by Food Fidelity
- Black Eyed Pea Salad by FoodLoveTog
- Harissa Honey Roasted Vegetable Skewers by Geo’s Table
- Gluten Free Peach Cobbler (Vegan) by Good Food Baddie
- Crispy Gluten-free Baked BBQ Chicken Wings by Gristle and Gossip
- Summer Watermelon Fizz by Handy Chef
- Watermelon and Cucumber Salad by Heal Me Delicious
- Smoky Party Style Jollof Rice by Immaculate Ruemu
- Crab Boil & Garlic Butter Sauce by Jamieson Diaries
- Tamarind BBQ Wings by Just Add Hot Sauce
- Hibiscus Rum Punch by Kenneth Temple
- Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream by Lenox Bakery
- Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches by Mash & Spread
- Grilled Hot Links & Chow Chow by Meiko And The Dish
- Strawberry Lemonade Sangria by Nik Snacks
- Brown Sugar Caramel No-Churn Ice Cream by Open Invitation Entertainment
- Strawberry Basil Pineapple Mocktail by Orchids + Sweet Tea
- Lemon Meringue Tart by Peaches 2 Peaches
- Spicy Shrimp Creole by Pink Owl Kitchen
- Strawberry Crunch Cake Brownies by Razzle Dazzle Life
- Grilled Maque Choux Salad by Savor and Sage
- Savannah Red Rice by Seasoned To Taste
- Country Style Potato Salad by Sense & Edibility
- Deviled Eggs by Slight Kitchen Werk
- Rum Punch by Sweet & Sorrel
- Mint Julep by Sweet Tea + Thyme
- Almond Peach Cake by That Green Lyfe
- Strawberry Cobbler Galette by The Dana Renée Way
- Strawberry Baby Back Ribs by This Worthey Life
Cynthia Crowell says
Can this recipe be made into a bundt cake?
Jazz says
Hi, Cynthia! You can use a bundt pan for this recipe as the batter capacity is very close to that of two round layer pans.
Sydelle says
This is one of my favourite combinations! This recipe sounds like it create a fluffy and velvety cake. I’m so excited to try this for Valentine’s!
Britney says
Red velvet cake is literally one of my favorite cakes so I was so excited when I baked this recipe! It was even better than the bakery up the street from us! And with those chocolate covered strawberries - utter perfection!!
Chenée Lewis says
This red velvet cake was to die for! I can't wait to make it again for Valentine's Day -- I just know it's gonna be a hit!
Marsha says
Red velvet cake is one of our favorite cakes and I'm so glad I know how to make it homemade now. This recipe was easy to follow and the chocolate-covered strawberries was a great addition! Thanks for the recipe!
Chef Mireille says
I love red velvet cake but this time I went full on decorating with your suggestions. I LOVE the crumbs on the side. I had never done that before. Not only is it pretty but made the balance better between frosting and cake
Marta says
I made this red velvet cake for my son "just because" he was having a bad day and it's his favorite. He said it really made him happy inside. I plan to make it again for Valentine's Day, it's that delicious.
Lilly says
This is such a decadent dessert! I loved the chocolate covered strawberries on top!
Renia Butler says
I've honestly never had red velvet cake but it is literally my Dad's favorite thing. When I shared this recipe with my mom (because that's who's going to make it for him) she mentioned how easy it was to make. Great recipe.
Dominique says
O.M.G. Simple recipe. Perfect step by step instructions. And the PERFECT result: super moist flavorful "make you wanna slap yo momma" good! I made it for Valentine's weekend, and needless to say, it only survived for 24 hours. My boyfriend brought some to work (claiming he made it, of course!), and he was accused of buying it (because it was so gorgeous)...and was given a special request to make it for a coworkers birthday! Tried and true: this is a wonderful recipe! I'll be making it again...maybe today!
MaKeshia Smith says
I love all the pictures you share with your recipes! I made this cake and let me tell you, nobody believed me because it was just perfect! The cake was moist and flavorful and the frosting was so soft and sweet. The strawberries on top were an awesome way to decorate. Loved it!
jazzmineama says
Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Robin says
I knew red velvet was chocolate cake but never knew white chocolate wasn't chocolate! I guess it lacks cacao. This cake is so decadently delicious!