Christmas Red & Green Velvet Cake 🎄🍰✨
A festive double-layer dessert bursting with holiday cheer, this Christmas Red & Green Velvet Cake combines vibrant colors, rich flavor, and a smooth, creamy frosting that’s simply irresistible. With buttery velvet layers, sweet vanilla notes, and a delightful pecan crunch, it’s the perfect showstopper for any holiday table.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- Red and green gel food coloring (1 tablespoon each)
- Pinch of salt
For the Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped pecans (optional, for topping)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, mix buttermilk with vinegar. Gradually alternate adding the dry ingredients and the buttermilk mixture into the butter mixture until smooth. Divide the batter evenly into two bowls — tint one red and the other green using gel food coloring.
Pour each colored batter into the prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the cakes completely on a wire rack before frosting.
For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually and mix until creamy, then stir in vanilla extract. Spread a layer of frosting over one cooled cake, place the second layer on top, and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top or press them gently around the edges for a festive finish.
Tips for Success
Use gel food coloring for vibrant, even hues without altering the batter texture. For added holiday flair, alternate red and green batter spoonfuls in each pan to create a marbled effect. Chill the cake for 30 minutes before slicing for cleaner layers.
Serving Ideas
Serve slices of this festive cake with a mug of hot cocoa or peppermint latte. It’s perfect for Christmas Eve dinners, holiday parties, or as a centerpiece dessert on your festive table.
Nutritional Information (per slice)
Calories: ~450 kcal
Protein: 5g
Carbohydrates: 54g
Fat: 24g
Conclusion
The Christmas Red & Green Velvet Cake is a joyful blend of color, flavor, and texture — moist, buttery layers wrapped in luscious cream cheese frosting and finished with a nutty crunch. Every bite captures the warmth and magic of the holidays, making it a dessert worth celebrating year after year.