Strawberry Red Velvet Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cocoa powder (unsweetened)
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk (at room temperature)
3 large eggs (at room temperature)
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons strawberry puree (from fresh strawberries)
1 teaspoon red food coloring (gel or liquid)
1 tablespoon white vinegar
For the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3-4 cups powdered sugar (adjust for desired sweetness)
1/2 cup strawberry puree (strained to remove seeds)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Making the Cake:
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the oil, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, strawberry puree, and red food coloring.
Combine: Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until smooth and fully combined. Stir in the vinegar last, which will help activate the baking soda and give the cake its light texture.
Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Making the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
Beat Cream Cheese and Butter: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
Add Strawberry Puree: Add the strawberry puree, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, and mix until well combined.
Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until you reach a spreadable consistency. You may need more or less depending on the consistency you prefer.
Frost the Cake: Once the cakes are completely cool, spread a layer of the frosting on top of the first cake layer. Place the second layer on top and frost the entire cake with the strawberry cream cheese frosting.
Optional Decoration: Garnish with fresh strawberry slices or even a drizzle of extra strawberry puree for added flavor and decoration.
Serve:
Slice and enjoy this rich and moist Strawberry Red Velvet Cake with the perfect balance of strawberry sweetness and velvety red velvet!