Hi! I’m Kate, the face behind KateFi.com—a blog all about making life easier and more affordable.

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Decadent Triple-layer Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ever wonder if you can eat gourmet on a broke budget? Same. Here’s my hack: a divine red velvet cake that’s super fancy yet incredibly affordable. You won’t need any exotic ingredients or expensive tools to whip up a masterpiece that looks like it popped straight out of a boutique bakery in downtown Manhattan. Plus, you can have this indulgence Ready in 15 minutes!

Why You’ll Love It

• Ready in 15 minutes!
• Family-friendly and picky-eater approved
• Zero fancy kitchen gear needed
• Leftovers are even better the next day
• Easy to meal prep or double for later

Ingredients

• 1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon distilled vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool completely in the pans on a wire rack.
6. For the frosting: Beat together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until smooth.
7. Assemble the cake by spreading a layer of frosting between each cake layer. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
8. Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes before slicing. This helps to set the frosting and makes cutting a breeze.

Real Talk: Cake & Cash

• Baking indulgent cakes doesn’t mean blowing your budget. Use pantry staples for luxury bites.
• Side gigs from home allow you to relax while earning cash. Perfect for baking enthusiasts with spare time between recipes!
• Making money online can be straightforward; great for passion-driven freelancers looking to swap traditional jobs for something flexible.