Red Velvet Cake

📝 Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cake flour
• 1/2 ounce natural cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup low-fat buttermilk, at room temperature
• 1 fluid ounce red liquid food coloring
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1.5 cups dark brown sugar
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Pinch kosher salt
• 13 1/2 ounces powdered sugar

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Red Velvet Cake ---
2. 2Set a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 325ºF. Spray 2 (9-inch) round pans with nonstick spray, line the bottom of the pan with a parchment paper round, spray the parchment with nonstick spray, and set aside.
3. 3Whisk the flours, cocoa, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl and set aside. Whisk the buttermilk, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla together in a separate bowl and set aside.
4. 4Combine the brown sugar and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and cream on medium speed until lightened in color, about 2 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Return the mixer to medium speed and slowly add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until they are fully incorporated.
5. 5With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture in 3 installments, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl between each installment. Mix on low speed until smooth, 30 to 45 seconds.
6. 6Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake until the cake springs back when pressed or reaches an internal temperature of 205ºF, 30 to 35 minutes.
7. 7Cool in the pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes, and then remove the cake from the pans and cool completely, about 1 hour, before frosting.
8. 8--- Cream Cheese Frosting ---
9. 9In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese and butter on medium speed, just until blended. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla and salt and beat until combined. With the speed on low, add the powdered sugar in 4 batches, beating until smooth between each addition. Refrigerate for 5 to 10 minutes before using.