Description
A soft, moist Southern-style red velvet cake baked in a sheet pan and covered in creamy whipped cream cheese frosting. Finished with toasted pecans for the perfect buttery crunch. Easy to make, feeds a crowd, and always a hit at holidays, Sundays, and potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (310g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp fine salt
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temp
- 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, room temp
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Red food coloring (liquid or gel – until rich red)
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 ½ cups chopped pecans
- 1 tbsp butter (for toasting)
Instructions
- Toast the Pecans: Heat a pan over medium. Add pecans + 1 tbsp butter. Toast 3–5 minutes, stirring, until fragrant. Let cool.
- Make the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C. Grease a 9×13-inch pan (or disposable sheet tray). In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, oil, eggs, vanilla, and vinegar. Add wet → dry and stir until smooth. Add red coloring until your heart says “that’s Southern red.” Pour batter into pan and bake 25–32 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.
- Make the Frosting: Beat cream cheese + butter until smooth and fluffy. Add powdered sugar gradually. Beat in vanilla + pinch of salt. Spread generously over cooled cake.
- Finish: Sprinkle toasted pecans on top. Add a few cake crumbs for color (optional but chef’s kiss).
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Adjust the amount of red food coloring to achieve your desired shade.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg