Pulse logo
Pulse Region

Here's how your favourite bakery makes red velvet cake

Did you know red velvet cake is a chocolate cake? Find a quick and easy recipe for red velvet cake
File image of a slice of Red Velvet Cake
File image of a slice of Red Velvet Cake

Red velvet cake is a traditionally crimson-colored chocolate layer cake with cream cheese icing. It's usually made with a combination of buttermilk, butter, cocoa, vinegar, and flour.

This decadent cake can be done in various ways, for example cupcakes, also as a birthday cake or any kind of event cake.

It also pairs well with tea as a dry cake.

Also Try: The perfect Espresso Brownie recipe for chocolate and coffee lovers

Recommended For You
Entertainment
2025-03-18T02:26:22+00:00
Khalif Kairo and his former business partner Clement Kinuthia are locked in a heated exchange of accusations, with Kairo now alleging that Clement not only cheated on his wife but also had an affair with his (Kairo’s) girlfriend. The car dealer also revealed that he is currently single, but will introduce a new lady once he resolves the issues surrounding his business.
Businessman A past image of Khalif Kairo with his ex business partner Clement Kinuthia
Lifestyle
2025-03-17T14:10:09+00:00
Attraction is often communicated through non-verbal cues, with body language revealing more than words ever could. If you’re trying to determine whether a woman is interested in you, observing her body language can give you valuable insights.

Trick to getting a rich colour red for your Red Velvet Cake

The trick to achieving that rich red colour in your Red Velvet Cake lies in just two main ingredients - vinegar and buttermilk (maziwa mala).

Also Try: Matumbo with Honey and Mala, you simply have to try this one!

The reaction of acidic vinegar and buttermilk tends to better reveal the red anthocyanin in cocoa and keeps the cake moist, light, and fluffy. This natural tinting may have been the source for the name "red velvet".

It's definitely a healthy cake.

Also Read: Have you been making tea all wrong? The classic Kenyan masala Chai

Ingredients

1 cup All Purpose flour

1 teaspoon Cocoa powder 

1/4 cup Butter

Also Read: Get in the mood with...Pulselive's decadent Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake

1 1/2 Sugar

1 egg 

1 teaspoon Vanilla Essence 

1/2 cup Milk

1 teaspoon red Food Colour 

Also Try: What's in that Pulselive Breakfast Smoothie?

1 teaspoon Vinegar 

1 teaspoon baking soda (bi-carbonate of soda)

Also Try: How to make a garlic sauce, Sesame Beef wrap at home

Method

  • Grease you baking tin and dust with flour.
  • Pre-heat your oven to 180°c.
  • Measure all your dry ingredients. 

Also Try: The perfect Pilipili for your crisps, Nyama, Pilau and everything else!

  • Mix the butter and sugar until fluffy and creamy. 
  • Add egg and vanilla essence. 
  • Fold in the flour together with the cocoa powder.
  • Mix vinegar and baking soda and immediately add to the cake batter.

Also Try: 2 easy Pizzas made from scratch

  • Lastly fold in your milk mixed with food colour. 
  • Mix until its well incorporated and smooth.

Also Try: Here's how to do Lemon-Garlic Wings the Kenyan way

  • Pour your butter into the prepared baking tin and bake for 20 to 30 minutes.

Also Try: Secret ingredient to Pulselive's quick mini-samosas

Subscribe to receive daily news updates.