Red Velvet Wreath Cake Recipe

Here’s a festive and beautiful Red Velvet Wreath Cake recipe the perfect dessert for the holiday season! With its rich red color, cream cheese frosting, and holiday decorations, this cake will be a stunning centerpiece at any Christmas gathering.

Red Velvet Wreath Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp red food coloring (gel or liquid)
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp white vinegar

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp heavy cream or milk (optional, for consistency)

For the Decoration:

• Green food coloring (gel or liquid)
• Red and green sprinkles
• Fresh cranberries or maraschino cherries
• Small candy canes (optional)
• Edible gold stars (optional)
• Miniature holly leaves (optional)

Instructions:

1. Make the Red Velvet Cake:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans (or use a bundt pan for a wreath shape).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, beat together the vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
• Add the food coloring and mix until the batter is fully colored.
• In a separate small bowl, combine the buttermilk and vinegar.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, mixing until just combined.
• Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

2. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
• Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Add the vanilla extract and continue to beat until fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add a tablespoon of heavy cream or milk to reach the desired consistency.

3. Assemble the Cake:

• Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a cake stand or serving platter.
• Spread a layer of cream cheese frosting over the top of the first cake layer.
• Place the second layer on top and gently press down to adhere.
• Frost the entire cake with the cream cheese frosting, smoothing it out with a spatula to create a smooth surface.
• Use a small amount of frosting to pipe a ring around the top edge of the cake, or use a star-shaped piping tip to create texture along the edges.

4. Decorate the Wreath Cake:

• Add green food coloring to the remaining frosting to create a festive wreath color.
• Use a piping bag fitted with a leaf tip (Wilton #352 or similar) to pipe green “leaves” all around the edge of the cake, forming a wreath shape.
• Garnish with red and green sprinkles, fresh cranberries or maraschino cherries, small candy canes, edible gold stars, and miniature holly leaves for a festive, wintery touch.

5. Serve and Enjoy:

• Slice and serve your Red Velvet Wreath Cake as a stunning holiday dessert!

Tips:

• If you prefer a less sweet cake, reduce the amount of sugar in the frosting slightly.
• For a deeper red color, add a bit more food coloring, but be careful not to make the batter too runny.
• If you want to make the cake in advance, bake and frost it the day before serving. Just keep it refrigerated and decorate it with fresh garnishes right before serving.

This Red Velvet Wreath Cake is a showstopper — perfect for any holiday gathering or as a festive treat to share with family and friends!