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Moist Fourth of July Cake Recipe with 3 Fluffy Red Velvet Layers

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A moist and tender red velvet cake with three fluffy layers, perfect for Fourth of July celebrations. This cake balances rich flavor with a light texture and is topped with a light, airy cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (315 g)
  • 2 cups granulated sugar (400 g)
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (15 g), Dutch-processed
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda (5 g)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (5 g)
  • 1 cup buttermilk (240 ml), room temperature
  • 1 cup vegetable oil (240 ml)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons red food coloring (gel-based preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
  • 8 oz cream cheese (225 g), softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (115 g), softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (480 g), sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar until smooth.
  4. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold gently with a rubber spatula until no streaks of flour remain. Do not overmix.
  5. Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared pans.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, rotating pans halfway through. Cakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks to cool completely.
  8. To make the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, whipping until fluffy (3-4 minutes).
  9. Assemble the cake by placing one layer on a serving plate, spreading about ¾ cup frosting evenly over the top. Repeat with the second and third layers, then frost the top and sides.
  10. Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the frosting set.

Notes

Use room-temperature ingredients for best results. Do not overmix the batter to keep layers fluffy. Vinegar is essential for a tender crumb and vibrant color. Chill the cake before serving to set the frosting. If batter is too thick, fold in additional buttermilk by tablespoon. Oven temperature accuracy is important; use an oven thermometer if possible.

Nutrition

Keywords: red velvet cake, Fourth of July cake, moist cake, fluffy layers, cream cheese frosting, patriotic dessert, easy cake recipe

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/moist-fourth-of-july-cake-recipe-with-3-fluffy-red-velvet-layers/