Red Velvet Fireworks Cake (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
01 -
1 1/3 cups vegetable oil
02 -
3 cups all-purpose flour
03 -
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
04 -
1 teaspoon baking soda
05 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
06 -
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
07 -
1 cup buttermilk
08 -
3 large eggs, at room temperature
09 -
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
10 -
1 1/2 teaspoons red gel food coloring
→ Frosting
11 -
16 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
12 -
4 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
13 -
Pinch of salt
14 -
5 cups confectioners' sugar
15 -
1 cup red, white, and blue nonpareils (3.8-ounce container)
# Instructions:
01 -
Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Brush two 9-inch round cake pans with vegetable oil, dust with flour, and tap out the excess.
02 -
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
03 -
In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, and food coloring until smooth.
04 -
Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until smooth.
05 -
Spread 3/4 cup of the batter into each prepared pan to create thin layers. Bake for 16–18 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool for 5 minutes in the pans, then invert onto a rack to cool completely.
06 -
Clean, brush, and flour the pans again. Repeat the process to make 6 total layers, each using 3/4 cup of batter.
07 -
In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat cream cheese, butter, and a pinch of salt on medium-high speed until fluffy. Add vanilla extract, then gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar in three additions until smooth.
08 -
Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread evenly with a scant 1 cup of frosting. Repeat with the remaining layers, frosting between each. Thinly frost the top and sides of the cake just enough to adhere the nonpareils.
09 -
Refrigerate the cake for 10 minutes until the frosting is set. Place the cake on a rimmed baking sheet and cover completely with the nonpareils, collecting and reusing the excess as needed.