Red Velvet Loaf Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
This Red Velvet Loaf Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, tender, and flavorful cake featuring a subtle cocoa taste paired with a creamy, tangy frosting. The vibrant red hue and smooth cream cheese topping make it perfect for celebrations or everyday indulgence. Baked in a loaf pan for convenient slicing and sharing, this recipe balances a rich texture with sweet, tangy frosting to deliver a classic dessert experience.
- Author: Nora
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf cake (about 8-10 slices) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Dry Ingredients
- 210 grams all purpose flour
- 200 grams granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 226 grams unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 60 grams sour cream (room temperature)
- 60 grams buttermilk (room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons red gel food coloring
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 56 grams unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 113 grams full-fat cream cheese (room temperature)
- 240 grams powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches hanging over the edges to easily lift the cake out after baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Use a hand or stand mixer on low speed with the paddle attachment to gently combine these ingredients evenly.
- Incorporate Butter: Add the softened butter to the dry mixture. Beat on low speed until the texture resembles wet sand, ensuring the butter is fully incorporated with the dry ingredients.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, buttermilk, vanilla extract, white vinegar, and red gel food coloring until smooth and well combined.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, pour half of the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. The batter will be thick and paste-like at this stage.
- Incorporate Remaining Wet Ingredients: Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula, then add the remaining wet mixture. Mix gently; the batter should resemble pancake batter and can have a few lumps.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with moist crumbs attached.
- Cool the Cake: Once baked, remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter and cream cheese on medium-high speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing well on low speed after each addition to maintain smoothness.
- Flavor and Whip Frosting: Add vanilla extract and salt, mixing first on low speed to combine, then increase speed to medium and beat until the frosting is fluffy and light.
- Frost the Cake: Once the loaf cake has completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly on top. Optionally, garnish with cake crumbs or sprinkles. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure all ingredients, especially eggs, butter, sour cream, and buttermilk, are at room temperature for best mixing results.
- Red gel food coloring is preferred for vibrant color without altering batter consistency.
- Do not overmix the batter; some lumps are fine to keep the cake tender.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for a rich and creamy frosting.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and sliding.
- Store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Keywords: Red Velvet Cake, Loaf Cake, Cream Cheese Frosting, Homemade Cake, Dessert, Baking, Red Velvet Loaf