Description
A fun and creative red velvet cake decorated to look like a brain, perfect for Halloween or any spooky-themed celebration.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups cake flour (300g)
- 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted (10g)
- 1 tsp baking soda (6g)
- 1/2 tsp fine salt (3g)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature (113g)
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar (350g)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature (112g)
- 1 1/4 cups buttermilk, room temperature (300g)
- 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil (120g)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (8g)
- 1 tsp white vinegar (4g)
- 1 tsp red gel food coloring (or 1 Tbsp liquid food coloring)
- 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature (339g)
- 1 cup (8 oz) full-fat cream cheese, room temperature (226g)
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (12g)
- 1 tsp fine salt (6g)
- 7 cups powdered sugar (904g or a 2 lb. bag)
- 3 Tbsp heavy whipping cream, room temperature (45g)
- small squirt of red gel food coloring (or 1 tsp liquid food coloring)
- 1/2 cup seedless raspberry or strawberry jam
- 3 Tbsp water (45g)
- [1/4 tsp red gel food coloring or 1 tsp liquid food coloring – optional]
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two round cake pans.
- In a bowl, mix the cake flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in the buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, white vinegar, and red food coloring.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
- Pour the batter into prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth for the frosting.
- Add vanilla extract and salt, mixing well.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until creamy.
- If too thick, add heavy whipping cream to reach desired consistency.
- Add a small squirt of red food coloring for the desired shade.
- In a small saucepan, combine raspberry or strawberry jam and water. Heat over low until the jam melts and becomes thinner.
- If desired, add red food coloring to intensify the color.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, layer them with cream cheese frosting in between.
- Use the remaining frosting to cover the tops and sides of the cake.
- To create the brain effect, use a piping bag fitted with a round tip to pipe frosting in a wave pattern.
- Drizzle the edible blood on top of the cake to complete the look.
Notes
Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature and don’t overmix the batter for better texture. Add more gel coloring for a stronger red shade.