Red Velvet Poke Cake
User Reviews
4.5
Red Velvet Poke Cake
Description
This Red Velvet Poke Cake starts with a rich batter of butter, sugar, eggs, cocoa powder, red food coloring, vanilla extract, buttermilk, flour, salt, baking soda, and white vinegar. The batter is mixed carefully to incorporate the ingredients evenly and baked in a greased 9x13-inch pan until set. After baking, the cake is poked to allow sweetened condensed milk to soak in, adding moisture and sweetness throughout.
The cake’s flavor balances cocoa’s depth with the distinctive tang of buttermilk and vinegar, and the red food coloring gives the cake its signature appearance. The crumb is moist and tender from the soaked sweetened condensed milk. The frosting combines salted butter and cream cheese whipped with powdered sugar and vanilla to a smooth, sweet topping that complements the cake’s texture and flavors.
This cake serves well at parties or dessert tables offering a classic red velvet experience with an extra moist texture from the poke method.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 egg
- 5 tablespoons cocoa powder unsweetened
- 6 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar distilled
- 14 ounce sweetened condensed milk can
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup butter salted, at room temperature
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 3½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
- On medium-high speed, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Turn the mixer to high and add the eggs. Scrape down the bowl and beat until well incorporated.
- In a separate small bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, vanilla extract and red food coloring to make a thick paste. Add to the batter and mix on medium speed until completely combined. You may need to stop the mixer to scrape the bottom of the bowl, making sure that all the batter gets color.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly add half of the buttermilk. Add half of the flour and mix until combined. Scrape the bowl and repeat the process with the remaining milk and flour. Beat on high until smooth, about 1 minute.
- Again, reduce the mixer speed to low and add the salt, baking soda and vinegar. Turn to high and beat for another 2 minutes until completely combined and smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top into an even layer with a spatula. Bake until a thin knife or skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes.
- Remove the cake from the oven and immediately poke holes all over the top of the cake. You can use the end of a wooden spoon, a skewer, the tines of a fork, etc. Slowly pour the can of condensed milk all over the top of the cake, making sure to drizzle it evenly all over the top. If it pools along the edges, use a spoon to scoop it up and redistribute it on top. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting and decorating.
- Make the Frosting: Using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the butter and cream cheese on high speed for about 5 minutes, scraping the bowl down as necessary. Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar until all is incorporated. Add the vanilla and mix to combine. Increase the speed to medium high and whip for a few minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy, scraping the bowl as necessary.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the top of the cake and decorate as desired. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Nutritional values are calculated per serving based on one piece of cake.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 626 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 626kcal | 31% |
| Carbohydrates | 99g | 33% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 34g | 52% |
| Saturated Fat | 20g | 100% |
| Cholesterol | 122mg | 41% |
| Sodium | 557mg | 23% |
| Potassium | 250mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 79g | 158% |
| Vitamin A | 1120IU | 22% |
| Vitamin C | 0.8mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 153mg | 15% |
| Iron | 1.7mg | 9% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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