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Jamie Oliver Red Velvet Cake

Jamie Oliver Red Velvet Cake
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The Jamie Oliver Red Velvet Cake is a cocoa-based sponge cake coloured red and enriched with buttermilk and a touch of vinegar. The acidity reacts with baking soda to create a light, tender crumb.

It is traditionally finished with cream cheese frosting for contrast and richness.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake

    • 250 g plain flour

    • 1 tbsp cocoa powder

    • 200 g sugar

    • 120 ml vegetable oil

    • 2 eggs

    • 240 ml buttermilk

    • 1 tsp baking soda

    • 1 tsp vinegar (white or apple cider)

    • 1 tsp vanilla extract

    • Red food colouring (gel preferred)

    • Pinch salt

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

    • 300 g cream cheese (softened)

    • 100 g butter (softened)

    • 200 g icing sugar

    • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

Preheat oven to 170°C and line two round cake tins.

Sift flour, cocoa powder, salt together. Sifting ensures even distribution and prevents dense patches.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Base

In a large bowl, whisk oil and sugar until smooth.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in vanilla and red food colouring. Use gel colouring for deeper colour without thinning the batter.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Carefully

Add half the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, then half the buttermilk. Repeat until combined.

Do not overmix. Overworking develops gluten and leads to dense texture.

Step 4: Activate the Leavening

Mix baking soda with vinegar in a small bowl. It will fizz immediately.

Quickly fold this into the batter. This reaction helps create the cake’s signature light crumb.

Step 5: Bake Evenly

Divide batter between tins and smooth tops.

Bake 25–30 minutes until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.

Avoid opening the oven early, as this can cause sinking.

Step 6: Cool Completely

Allow cakes to cool in tins for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.

Cooling fully is essential before frosting to prevent melting.

Step 7: Prepare the Frosting

Beat butter until smooth, then add cream cheese and beat gently until combined.

Add icing sugar gradually and vanilla. Do not overbeat, as cream cheese can become loose.

Step 8: Assemble and Frost

Place one layer on a plate, spread frosting evenly, then top with second layer.

Cover top and sides with remaining frosting using a spatula.

Chill 20 minutes before slicing for cleaner cuts.

Find it online: https://jamieolivereats.uk/red-velvet-cake/