Red Velvet Pound Cake Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a cake that dazzles with its vibrant color and luxurious texture, you’ve got to try this Red Velvet Pound Cake. This stunning dessert is a luscious twist on the classic pound cake, boasting a rich red hue paired with just the right hint of cocoa. It’s dense yet incredibly moist, making each bite melt effortlessly on your tongue, while the subtle tang from buttermilk and vinegar elevates the flavor to pure perfection. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a comforting slice of sweetness, this Red Velvet Pound Cake is guaranteed to become a treasured favorite in your baking repertoire.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Red Velvet Pound Cake recipe calls for ingredients that are straightforward but mighty in impact. Each item plays a crucial role in delivering that signature color, flavor, and tender crumb that make this cake so irresistible.

• All-purpose flour: Forms the sturdy base of the cake, ensuring the perfect dense yet tender crumb.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and assists in creating a delicate, fine texture.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds just a whisper of chocolatey depth to enhance the classic red velvet flavor.
• Baking powder: Gives the cake a gentle lift for lightness without sacrificing its traditional pound cake feel.
• Baking soda: Works with vinegar to create a soft, fluffy texture through delicate chemical reactions.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enriches overall flavor, making each note pop.
• Unsalted butter: Contributes a rich, creamy flavor and tender crumb when properly creamed with sugar.
• Buttermilk: Adds moisture and a subtle tang that brightens the flavor profile delightfully.
• Large eggs: Provide structure and help with the rise, making sure your cake holds together perfectly.
• Red food coloring: The showstopper of the Red Velvet Pound Cake, delivering that vivid, classic color we all love.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with a sweet, aromatic complexity.
• White vinegar: Reacts with baking soda to enhance the cake’s texture and heighten its signature tang.

How to Make Red Velvet Pound Cake

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (160°C). While the oven warms up, grab a 10-inch bundt pan and make sure to grease and flour it thoroughly. This extra care ensures your beautiful cake will come out clean without a hitch, keeping its shape and those gorgeous edges intact.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk these together until everything is fully blended. Getting the dry mixture uniform helps the cake bake evenly, so don’t skip this simple but vital step.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a separate bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Continue until the mixture looks light, fluffy, and pale in color. This creaming process is key to the pound cake’s tender texture and rich taste—so take your time and enjoy the satisfying beat!

Step 4: Incorporate Eggs One at a Time

Beat in the eggs individually, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. This gradual addition helps build a stable batter that maintains air pockets, giving your pound cake that impressively fine crumb texture you love.

Step 5: Add Red Food Coloring and Vanilla

Next, stir in the red food coloring and vanilla extract until the batter is evenly bright red and bursting with fragrant sweetness. The red food coloring is what truly brings this pound cake to life, making it a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

Step 6: Combine Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk

Now it’s time to alternate adding your dry ingredient mixture and buttermilk to the butter and sugar bowl. Start and finish with the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. This careful folding helps keep the batter light while ensuring the cake stays moist and flavorful.

Step 7: Stir in White Vinegar

Pour in the white vinegar and give the batter a final stir. This little splash is like magic—reacting with baking soda to create the signature fluffy texture that makes your Red Velvet Pound Cake utterly unforgettable.

Step 8: Pour Batter and Bake

Pour the luscious batter into your prepared bundt pan, spreading it evenly and smoothing the top with a spatula. Pop it into the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. To test doneness, insert a toothpick in the center; when it comes out clean, your cake is ready to cool.

Step 9: Cool and Finish

Let the cake cool in the bundt pan for 15 to 20 minutes before carefully turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can dust your Red Velvet Pound Cake with powdered sugar or slather on a dreamy cream cheese frosting—it’s an optional finishing touch that elevates every bite.

How to Serve Red Velvet Pound Cake

Garnishes

A simple dusting of powdered sugar gives your Red Velvet Pound Cake a delicate, elegant finish perfect for everyday celebrations. For a more indulgent approach, a silky cream cheese frosting adds tangy richness that contrasts beautifully with the cake’s subtle cocoa notes. Fresh berries or a sprinkling of chopped nuts can also add textural contrast and a pop of color that’s stunning on any table.

Side Dishes

Pairing your Red Velvet Pound Cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream lets the cake’s moist richness shine while adding creamy coolness. For a sophisticated touch, offer warm berry compote or lightly roasted seasonal fruits that complement the cake’s deep flavor. A hot cup of coffee or a polished glass of milk rounds out the experience perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

Why not slice the cake thick and layer it between sheets of cream cheese frosting to create a mini layered dessert? Or consider turning your Red Velvet Pound Cake into elegant trifles by cubing the cake and layering it with fresh fruit, custard, and whipped cream in individual glasses. These playful presentations turn a classic dessert into a show-stopping experience that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

You can keep your Red Velvet Pound Cake fresh by storing it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This preserves the cake’s moistness and delicate crumb without compromising its vibrant color or flavor.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy your cake later, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil and freeze for up to three months. Thaw the cake overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature before serving to enjoy that fresh-baked experience whenever you want.

Reheating

To warm up slices of your Red Velvet Pound Cake, pop them into a microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds. The warmth will gently soften the cake, making it taste freshly baked and ready to pair with your favorite frosting or topping.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

While regular milk can be used, buttermilk adds a subtle tang and helps tenderize the crumb in this Red Velvet Pound Cake. If you don’t have buttermilk, mixing milk with a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar as a substitute works well.

Is there a way to make this cake without food coloring?

Yes! The cocoa powder lends a natural reddish-brown tint, but the bright red color—which is signature to a Red Velvet Pound Cake—comes from the food coloring. For a more natural option, you could experiment with beet juice or powdered beetroot, keeping in mind it may slightly alter flavor and intensity.

Can I bake this cake in a loaf pan instead of a bundt pan?

Absolutely. Just keep in mind that baking times may vary. A loaf pan may require around 45-55 minutes, so start checking doneness with a toothpick a bit earlier than the bundt cake instructions suggest.

Why does the recipe call for vinegar?

The vinegar reacts with the baking soda to create tiny bubbles, which contribute to a fluffier texture and subtle tang that’s characteristic of Red Velvet Pound Cake. It also helps enhance the cake’s vibrant color.

What frosting pairs best with Red Velvet Pound Cake?

Cream cheese frosting is the classic choice, adding a luscious tang that perfectly balances the mild chocolate and richness of the cake. Buttercream or whipped cream Frosting also work beautifully if you want a lighter touch.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the joy of making and sharing a homemade Red Velvet Pound Cake. It’s a celebration of color, flavor, and texture all rolled into one stunning dessert that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or treating yourself to something sweet, give this recipe a try—it’s comfort and elegance in every bite, waiting to bring a smile to your table.

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