The Ultimate Red Velvet Layer Cake with Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

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!

• Brown Butter Vanilla Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting
• Red Wine Chocolate Cake for Two
• Vanilla & Bourbon Birthday Cake

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.

1. Frost and fill your red velvet layer cake with homemade cream cheese frosting.
2. Place white chocolate-covered strawberries on top of the cake.
3. 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

5 from 12 votes

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The Ultimate Red Velvet Layer Cake

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

40 mins

 

Classic, decadent red velvet layer cake, filled and frosted with homemade cream cheese frosting, and topped with white chocolate covered strawberries

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: black folks red velvet cake, Juneteenth dessert ideas, red cake for Juneteenth, red velvet layer cake ingredients, unique red velvet recipes, Valentine's day dessert ideas, white chocolate covered strawberry cake

Servings: 10 slices

Calories: 926 kcal

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. While the cake bakes, dip strawberries in chocolate and set aside on a sheet of wax or parchment paper to harden.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 Facts

The Ultimate Red Velvet Layer Cake

Amount Per Serving

Calories 926 Calories from Fat 450

% Daily Value*

Fat 50g77%

Saturated Fat 11g69%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 10g

Monounsaturated Fat 26g

Cholesterol 65mg22%

Sodium 236mg10%

Potassium 190mg5%

Carbohydrates 116g39%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 91g101%

Protein 8g16%

Vitamin A 418IU8%

Vitamin C 4mg5%

Calcium 111mg11%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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