Red Velvet Bundt Cake

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full disclosure here.

Learn how to make traditional red velvet cake from scratch and discover all my secrets to keeping the cake moist and fluffy! Bake in a bundt pan for easy presentation and top it with a simple cream cheese icing.

As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches, so does my desire for all things red, pink, and chocolate-y. And what a better excuse to get into the kitchen and whip up a beautiful red velvet bundt cake with a drippy, decadent cream cheese icing!

I don’t know if you’ve noticed this or not, but red velvet is my JAM. That’s right, I’m totally obsessed with this beautiful, tangy, airy, and delicious cake and I just wanna put it in (on? over?) everything!

In years past I’ve made red velvet Rice Krispies treats, red velvet biscotti, red velvet blossom cookies, red velvet lava cakes, and countless other red velvet inspired recipes.

There’s just something about the bright red hue and subtle chocolate flavor that lends itself so well to the season of love, and I can’t get enough!

While some of those red velvet-inspired recipes are made with red velvet cake mix, here at Fresh April Flours, we are making one beautiful cake completely from scratch. And I have the complete low down on how to get that velvety texture juuuuust perfect.

The first red velvet cake recipe is believed to have been created sometime around the Victorian era, and was the result of a chemical reaction between non Dutch processed cocoa powder and vinegar. Vinegar was often used to tenderize cakes, kind of like how we use buttermilk (also an acidic liquid) to create moist and tender cakes today!

The vinegar had a chemical reaction with the cocoa powder which created a beautiful red hue, and so red velvet cake was born.

But as time went on, new ingredients and processes were introduced to the market, so bakers had to find a way to keep the brilliant red hue, as well as the fine crumb and slight tanginess.

In addition to adding red dye, as the cake made its way across the United States, it took on a new ingredient: buttermilk! This made for an even more tangy, moist, and airy texture. It just kept getting better!

Now, with the introduction of gel food dyes to the market, we can get an even more brilliant and delicious red velvet cake, without watering the batter down with the addition of too much food dye.

Red velvet cake recipes have earned their place at the top of the cake hierarchy, and are now one of the most popular cakes worldwide! They have even inspired variations of every color.

One of my favorite variations is my black velvet cake, but your creativity doesn’t have to stop there! You can experiment with all sorts of colors and combinations of colors, all while maintaining the original texture and taste of red velvet.

But if you want to keep it classic, you can try some of my (many) red velvet recipes! They include my red velvet cupcakes, red velvet brownies, red velvet donuts, red velvet pancakes, and even red velvet puppy chow.

It’s safe to say I’ve got you covered in the red velvet department, don’t you agree?

No need to go out and buy any obscure ingredients, you probably already have everything you need right in your pantry and fridge to get this moist red velvet bundt cake happening in your kitchen.

Also, fun fact: this homemade red velvet bundt cake recipe is adapted straight from my red velvet cupcakes recipe. It’s just doubled with a little extra baking soda to help the cake climb the sides of the bundt pan.

You’ll also need some red gel coloring to get that signature red color, but you can use standard liquid coloring if you don’t have gel coloring available to you.

Well, in a pinch, you can always use a carefully crafted mixture of all-purpose flour + cornstarch to mimic the protein content and fluffiness of cake flour, so instead of actually using cake flour, I always use this “hack” to keep my recipes approachable for the home baker.

You’re welcome.

The cream cheese icing used on this red velvet bundt cake is just a simplified, thinner version of my traditional cream cheese frosting and acts a lot like a cream cheese glaze, since we’re thinning it much more than a traditional frosting.

Bundt cakes lend themselves so well to that drippy, drool-worthy layer of thinly spread icing that I couldn’t resist coming up with a new version of my much-beloved cream cheese icing.

All you need for the simplified version is 2oz of cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk or cream. Just promise me one thing: you will make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature.

Failing to take this extra step is going to make for a crumbly, non-drippy, and not smooth icing. Not good! Remember to take the cream cheese out before you plan on baking and you’ll be all set for baking success.

I’ll share my best tips and tricks to make sure you have baking success. Follow along closely, and (I promise) you’ll do just fine.

Once your egg whites are perfectly whipped and fluffy, set them aside and get started on the next element: the cake batter.

If you used your mixer to whip the egg whites, go ahead and transfer the egg whites to another bowl and simply wipe your mixing bowl clean.

Set the bowl of sifted ingredients aside and fit your mixer with the paddle attachment. Cream the butter and sugar until super light and fluffy. This normally takes me about 2-3 minutes, and is really worth taking the time to make sure the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Then, you’ll add in the vegetable oil and mix just until incorporated. Stop the mixer, add in your egg yolks, vanilla extract, vinegar, and red food coloring. Mix again until everything comes together nice and smooth.

Then, grab those sifted dry ingredients you set aside earlier. Add it to the batter in 3 additions, alternating with half of the buttermilk.

Stop once everything is just combined. Overmixing at this point begins the process of gluten development. This is good for bread, but not for cakes. We’ll get the rest of the batter together when we fold in the egg whites.

In order to keep the cake light and airy, we need to fold the egg whites in gently. This can only be done by hand, so turn your mixer off and grab a silicone spatula instead.

Add the egg whites into the batter, and fold the egg whites in with a light hand. The goal is to integrate the egg whites into the batter, without deflating them completely. Just work carefully and it will soon come together into one gloriously red and fluffy batter.

Look how much smoother that batter is now that we’ve added the egg whites. Luscious!

Spread the batter into your prepared bundt pan (more on that in a minute) and bake for 40-44 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean when inserted into the middle of the cake.

HOW TO GET BUNDT CAKE OUT OF THE BUNDT PAN

Since this is a red velvet bundt cake after all, you will add your batter to a bundt pan. Not only does this make for a gorgeous presentation, it actually helps the cake bake more evenly since more of the batter is in close contact with the edges of the pan. Pretty neat, huh?

The thing about bundt pans, though, is that they can be a bit tricky when it comes time to removing that beautifully baked cake.

Don’t despair, I’ve got you covered!

Back when I had a home baking business, I made a lot of cakes. That’s a serious understatement, but you catch my drift. In that time, I discovered a great product that made removing my cakes from their pans an absolute breeze.

It wasn’t long after that when I realized I could totally make that product at home! My homemade cake release is made with just 3 ingredients, and is the BEST way to make sure your cake comes out cleanly every single time.

If you’re using my homemade cake release, all you need to do is paint it on the inside of your bundt pan with a pastry brush. It forms a layer that separates the cake from the pan, making for a seamless transfer.

Alternatively, you can opt to liberally grease (and flour) your baking pan before pouring the batter in.

Once your cake is done baking, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes on a wire cooling rack. Attempting to remove the cake while it is still piping hot is not a good plan.

Once your cake has cooled for the 10 minutes, use oven mitts to carefully flip your bundt cake onto a serving platter or dish. Make sure to leave the cake pan in place, resting on top of the cake as it cools. Leave it there until the cake has completely cooled and is ready for decorating.

This is a thinner, drippier (in a good way) version of my traditional cream cheese frosting. I think it’s absolutely perfect for this red velvet bundt cake, since it spreads so easily and coats the cake in an addictive and sweet cream cheese icing that pairs beautifully with red velvet.

If you’d like to, you can try more traditional and thick frosting recipes like my classic cream cheese frosting (halve the recipe), or even my chocolate fudge frosting (whole recipe).

If you wanted to create something like a Nothing Bundt Cake, you could use my easy royal icing (halve the recipe).

Alternatively, if you wanted to keep things simple, a quick dusting of powdered sugar just before serving is a great choice as well!

However you choose to top your cake, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this tender, moist, and slightly tangy classic recipe. My careful selection of butter + oil keeps the cake nice and moist and not at all dry like some red velvet cakes can tend to be.

The additional whipped egg whites really bring fabulous lift to the crumb, again, giving the cake a really fabulous texture that will keep you coming back for bite after bite.

Grab yourself a bundt pan, set your cream cheese out to soften, and get started on making this elegant and simple red velvet bundt cake. I promise you won’t regret it!

I mean… Who ever regrets baking something delicious?

And while you’re at it, don’t forget to check out some of my other bundt cake recipes like my funfetti bundt cake, strawberry bundt cake, pumpkin bundt cake, or chocolate bundt cake. They are perfect for when you want a beautiful presentation without a whole lot of work!

4.73 from 11 votes

Pin Recipe Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

Red Velvet Bundt Cake

Learn how to make traditional red velvet cake from scratch and discover all my secrets to keeping the cake moist and fluffy! Bake in a bundt pan for easy presentation and top it with a simple cream cheese icing.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Bake Time40 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Recipe Author Lynn April

Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

BUNDT CAKE

• ▢ 4 large eggs room temperature and separated
• ▢ 2 and ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour be sure to measure properly
• ▢ ½ cup (60g) cornstarch
• ▢ 3 Tablespoons (22g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ▢ 2 teaspoons baking soda
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
• ▢ 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
• ▢ ⅔ cup (160mL) vegetable oil
• ▢ 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ▢ 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
• ▢ 3 teaspoons red gel coloring¹
• ▢ 1 cup (240mL) buttermilk

CREAM CHEESE ICING

• ▢ 2 ounces (56g) full fat block cream cheese softened to room temperature
• ▢ 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
• ▢ ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons (30mL) milk or cream

Instructions

BUNDT CAKE

• Place oven rack on the middle setting and preheat the oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Grease and flour (or use homemade cake release) a 10" bundt cake. Set aside.
• In a medium size bowl with a handheld mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form (approximately 2 minutes). Set aside or remove from mixer bowl and transfer to a smaller bowl.
• Sift the flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and baking soda, and salt together into a medium size bowl. Set aside.
• In a large bowl with a handheld mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy (approximately 2-3 minutes).
• Add the vegetable oil and beat again until completely incorporated. Add the egg yolks, vanilla extract, vinegar, and food coloring and beat again on medium speed until everything is combined.
• Turn the mixer down to low speed and add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with half of the buttermilk. Do not overmix batter. Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter with a spatula.
• Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Bake cake for 40-44 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes on a wire cooling rack.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes on a wire cooling rack. Using oven mitts, carefully flip the bundt cake onto your serving dish/platter. To do this: flip the serving dish/platter over and place on top of the cooling bundt pan. Flip everything over and allow cake to cool completely in the pan, sitting on the serving dish. When cake is completely cool, lift pan off of the cake.

CREAM CHEESE ICING

• When you are ready to ice the bundt cake, make the icing. In a large bowl with a handheld or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on high speed until smooth and creamy.
• With the mixer on low, add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and the milk or cream and continue to mix (add liquid slowly and stop at desired consistency or add more liquid if you'd like it even thinner). Increase mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 1 minute.
• Slowly pour the icing evenly over the whole bundt cake and allow icing to set before serving (about 1-2 hours). Cake stays fresh covered at room temperature for up to 4 days. Cake may be covered and refrigerated for up to 7 days.

Notes

1. Food coloring: I prefer gel color. If you only have liquid food coloring, use approximately 2 Tablespoons.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @freshaprilflours on Instagram or tag #freshaprilflours!

Nutrition Disclosure

All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 503kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 455mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 355IU | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 2mg