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+ servings
Close-up of a moist, rich cake with a fluffy frosting layer.

Red Velvet Sheet Cake

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Moist, tender red velvet sheet cake made with buttermilk and cocoa powder, topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. A simple and classic dessert perfect for celebrations!
20 Servings

Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 cup buttermilk at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sour cream at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Red food coloring as needed

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 to 4 cups powdered sugar sifted

Instructions
 

Prepare the Baking Pan:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray. For easier removal, line the bottom with parchment paper if desired.

Combine Dry Ingredients:

  1. In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set the mixture aside.

Cream Butter and Sugar:

  1. In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.

Add Wet Ingredients:

  1. Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the buttermilk, sour cream, vanilla extract, and enough red food coloring to achieve the desired shade. Beat on low speed until the mixture is smooth and combined.

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:

  1. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed or by hand with a spatula until no visible streaks of flour remain. Avoid overmixing.

Bake the Cake:

  1. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  1. While the cake cools, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and lump-free. Add the vanilla extract and salt; beat again until well incorporated.

Add Powdered Sugar:

  1. Add 3 cups of sifted powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture. Mix gently by hand until the powdered sugar is absorbed, then beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add additional powdered sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, if a thicker consistency is preferred.

Frost the Cake:

  1. Once the cake is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the surface. For best results, chill the cake for 20 to 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

To make this Red Velvet Sheet Cake gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend. Ensure that the baking soda, cocoa powder, and all other ingredients are certified gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.
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