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Red Velvet Bundt Cake
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Red Velvet Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This easy red velvet Bundt cake topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting is perfect for birthdays, Valentine's day, or special occasions. This red velvet Bundt cake recipe starts with a cake mix, then "secret ingredients" go into the mix for a moist, soft, velvety texture.
Course Desserts
Cuisine American
Keyword cake, desserts, red velvet cake, Valentine's Day
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 16 slices
Calories 300kcal
Author Marsha Maxwell

Equipment

  • "Nordic Ware ProForm Bundt Pan with Handles, 12 Cup "
  • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls (Set of 6) Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set - Easy To Clean, Nesting Bowls for Space Saving Storage, Great for Cooking, Baking, Prepping
  • KitchenAid KSM180QHSD 100 Year Limited Edition Queen of Hearts Stand Mixer, Passion Red
  • KitchenAid KSM180QHSD 100 Year Limited Edition Queen of Hearts Stand Mixer, Passion Red

Ingredients

For the cake:

  • 1 box red velvet cake mix see notes
  • 1 package white chocolate or vanilla instant pudding mix 3.3 oz. or 4 serving size
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil such as corn or canola oil
  • 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips see notes for substitutions

For the frosting:

  • 1 package 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 stick 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (see notes to substitute salted butter)
  • 6-8 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon butter vanilla bakery emulsion or substitute vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch optional, see notes

Instructions

Make the cake:

  • Place a rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Generously spray a 12-cup Bundt pan with baking spray (like Baker's Joy) or nonstick cooking spray.
  • Put the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, buttermilk, warm water, and oil in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.
  • Mix all the ingredients on low (using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer, or a hand-held electric mixer) for one minute until combined. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
  • Continue to mix on medium for 2-3 more minutes until the batter is thick and somewhat fluffy.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan, and use the spatula to make sure the batter is even and level.
  • Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the top of the batter. Using a butter knife or thin spatula, lightly swirl the batter to mix in the chocolate chips. Try to avoid having the chocolate chips sink to the bottom of the pan.
  • Bake the cake for 45-50 minutes, until the top springs back when pressed lightly with your finger.
  • Let the cake cool in the pan for about 20 minutes. Invert onto a cooling rack, and let the cake cool completely.

Make the frosting:

  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, add butter and cream cheese. Beat on medium speed with the whisk attachment for about 1 minute, until smooth.
  • Add 1 cup of powdered sugar, and beat until combined. Repeat with 1 more cup of powdered sugar.
  • Add whipping cream, bakery emulsion, and salt, and beat until combined.
  • Add the remaining powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until combined after each addition, for a total of 6-8 cups, until the frosting is the texture you want.
  • Optionally, if you want to thicken the frosting without adding more sugar, add up to 1 tablespoon cornstarch.
  • Beat for 2-3 additional minutes, until frosting is smooth, thick, and fluffy.

Frost the cake:

Notes

Note 1: Any brand of cake mix is fine, but Duncan Heinz red velvet cake mix has the most red color.
Note 1: Use dark, milk, or white chocolate chips, or a mixture.
Note 3: To substitute salted butter for unsalted butter, omit the salt from the recipe.
Note 2: Use up to 1 tablespoon cornstarch if needed to thicken the frosting. Don't use more than 1 tablespoon, or it will affect the taste.