Red Velvet Snack Cake

This single layer Red Velvet Snack Cake packs all of the familiar flavors that we love about red velvet desserts in small batch form. It’s the ideal choice, whether you’re hosting a smaller gathering, holiday brunch or tea time with friends. This red velvet snack cake is the ideal choice for snacking.

Best Red Velvet Snack Cake Recipe

My love of baking was passed down through my family, and some of my fondest memories are of watching my Grandma bake and frost the most beautiful red velvet layer cake you could ever imagine for our family gatherings. I still love a classic red velvet layer cake, but sometimes a smaller dessert is just what you need. That’s where this easy Red Velvet Snack Cake comes in. It delivers all the old-fashioned goodness of a layer cake in a simple single-layer size that makes just enough cake for smaller gatherings and everyday snacking.

What is red velvet cake? Red velvet is a lightly chocolatey cake made with a hint of cocoa powder and tinted that signature deep red with liquid food coloring. It’s an iconic Southern dessert, and this snack cake captures all those familiar flavors without making a whole layer cake.

Serve this homemade, gourmet-style treat cut into squares or bars for smaller servings. It’s a sweet addition to Valentine’s Day, Christmas, family gatherings, or any occasion when a little taste of Southern red velvet is just what you’re craving.

Key ingredients to make a simple Red Velvet Snack Cake: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card and quantities.)

• All Purpose Flour – All-purpose flour forms the base of the cake batter.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar for sweetness.
• Cocoa – Unsweetened cocoa powder for the hint of chocolate flavor.
• Leavening – Baking soda and salt add lift to the batter.
• Liquid Food Coloring – Red food coloring gives chocolate cake the red color. Gel food coloring won’t work here.
• Oil – A neutral oil like vegetable oil or canola oil works best.
• Eggs Two large eggs bind and stabilize the cake batter.
• Liquid – Buttermilk makes the batter super creamy.
• White Vinegar – This is a classic addition that gives the cake a tender crumb.
• Flavoring – One teaspoon vanilla extract lends sweet floral notes to the batter.
• Cream Cheese Frosting – One 8 ounce package Neufchatel cream cheese or full fat cream cheese, unsalted butter, powdered sugar (confectioners sugar), vanilla extract and salt.
• Nuts – 3/4 cup toasted chopped pecans for garnishing.

How to Make Red Velvet Snack Cake Recipe

• Heat Oven and Prepare Pan – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spritz a square 8×8-inch baking pan with baking spray or butter and flour.
• Toast Pecans – Spread the pecans on a sheet pan. Place into a preheated 350°F oven for 6-8 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Dry Ingredients – In a large bowl, use a whisk to sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
• Wet Ingredients – In a separate medium bowl use an electric mixer to combine the eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, red food coloring, vinegar and vanilla.
• Combine – Beat the wet ingredients gradually into the dry ingredients mixing on low speed just until combined. Pour cake batter into the prepared pan.
• Oven – Bake per the cooking time in the recipe until the cake springs back when gently touched or a toothpick inserted into the center comes back clean. Do not over bake.
• Cool – Cool in the pan then carefully remove from the pan to a baking rack to cool completely.
• Make Cream Cheese Frosting – Beat together the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, salt and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
• Serve – Frost top of the cake and sprinkle with toasted pecans. Cut into squares and enjoy.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Red Velvet Snack Cake

• Electric mixer. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer.
• Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
• Large bowl, medium bowl.
• Baking sheet pan for toasting the pecans.
• Rubber spatula.
• 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch square pan.
• Wire rack.

Red Velvet Cake Recipe Tips

• Take a Few Minutes to Toast the Pecans – It’s well worth the small amount of effort that it takes to toast the pecans for the depth of flavor it adds. To do so simply spread chopped pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast in a preheated 350°F oven for 6-8 minutes then set aside to cool.
• Bake in a Square Pan – No special cake pan is necessary to make this cake it’s baked in a standard 8-inch square metal pan. You can also bake it in a slightly larger 9×9-inch pan. It will be thinner so the baking time may need to be adjusted.
• Cream Cheese Frosting Gilds the Lily – The traditional cream cheese frosting is the perfect pairing with this chocolate snack cake. It’s made by whipping together softened plain cream cheese and butter with vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Use heavy cream or milk to thin it to spreading consistency.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

• Use All Purpose Flour or Cake Flour – This cake has a tender crumb using all purpose flour. You can use cake flour, if preferred, but rest assured all purpose flour works perfectly.
• Cream Cheese – You can use Neufchatel cream cheese, classic full fat cream cheese or mascarpone cheese for the frosting.
• Vanilla Bean Paste – You can add vanilla bean paste to the frosting for a more intense vanilla flavor. Add 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla bean paste for a delicious vanilla bean cream cheese frosting.
• White Chocolate Ganache – You could skip the frosting and slather the top with white chocolate ganache or vanilla buttercream.
• Chocolate Chips – You could add 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips or white chocolate chips to the batter.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – Store Red Velvet Snack Cake in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezer – You can bake and freeze this cake for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge adding the cream cheese frosting just before serving.

More Red Velvet Desserts to Make

• Red Velvet Cupcakes will be loved by kids of all ages.
• Red Velvet Ice Box Pie is easy to make.
• Red Velvet White Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle is a stunning special occasion dessert.
• Black Velvet Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache will thrill the chocolate fans at your dessert table.
• Double Chocolate Red Velvet Chess Bars are a.k.a. gooey butter cake.
• Homemade Red Velvet Cheesecake is dressed to impress.
• Frosted Red Velvet Brownies melt in your mouth.
• For more red velvet to love, checkout these Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies from Life in the Lofthouse.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Stand Mixer
• Cooling Racks
• Measuring Set
• Square Cake Pan