This moist and vibrant Red Velvet Cake is made completely dye free! It gets its natural color all from fresh beets. They’re pureed to create that beautiful red velvet color WITHOUT the artificial dye. And you can't taste them at all!
WHAT YOU NEED all purpose flour cornstarch unsweetened cocoa powder dried milk powder baking powder kosher salt unsalted butter canola or vegetable oil granulated sugar eggs vanilla extract apple cider vinegar whole milk beets lemon juice unsalted butter full fat cream cheese powdered sugar vanilla extract
Beet Puree 1. Cut off the stems and rinse the beets. 2. Slice the beets in half and place into a pot. Fill the pot to where the water reaches a couple inches over the beets. Stir in the lemon juice. 3. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 30-35 minutes or until the beets are fork tender. 4. Place the warm beets onto a cutting board or plate (reserve the water they were boiled in). Gently scrape away the skins with a fork and transfer the beets to a food processor.
Beet Puree 5. Add in 1/4 cup of the reserved water and blitz until the beets reach an apple sauce consistency. Run a spoon through the puree to test and make sure there are no large clumps left in the mix. 6. Pour the beet puree into a measuring glass to make sure it’s exactly 1 cup. If you’re a little short, mix in a couple tablespoons of the reserved water.
Red Velvet Cake 1. Preheat the oven to 350F and grease and line two 8” (or 9”) cake pans. Wrap the pans in damp cake strips if you have them. 2. In a measuring glass, combine the milk and vinegar. Set aside. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder, milk powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. 4. In a separate bowl using a hand or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix together the butter and 1 cup of sugar until light and fluffy.
Red Velvet Cake 5. Now add in the oil and remaining 1 cup of sugar and mix until smooth. 2. Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla and beet puree. 6. Alternating between wet and dry, mix in half of the dry ingredients, then the milk and vinegar mixture, then the rest of the dry ingredients. 7. Evenly divide the batter between the two cake pans. For 8” pans, bake for 35-40 minutes, for 9” pans, bake for 30-35 minutes. They’re ready when a toothpick comes out clean with a few moist crumbs. 8. Allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling.
Cream Cheese Frosting 1. In a large bowl using a hand or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix the butter until smooth. 2. Add in the cream cheese and mix until well combined. Scrape down the bowl and mix again. 3. Mix in the powdered sugar one cup at a time, followed by the vanilla. 4. Store the frosting in the refrigerator while the cakes continue to cool.
Assembly 5. To assemble, level off the tops of the cakes if needed. 6. Spread an even layer of cream cheese frosting between the two cakes and cover the entire cake in the remaining frosting. Decorate however you like and enjoy!