Description
A festive twist on classic velvet cake — soft red and green cake layers stacked with rich cream cheese frosting and finished with toasted pecans and holiday sprinkles. Eye-catching, buttery, moist, and perfect for every Christmas gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (310g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temp
- 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, room temp
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- Red food coloring (gel preferred)
- Green food coloring (gel preferred)
- 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
- Christmas sprinkles (red + green mixed)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C. Line and grease three 8-inch cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, oil, eggs, vanilla, and vinegar. Combine wet + dry until smooth.
- Divide batter evenly into two bowls. Tint one bowl deep red, and the other deep green.
- Spread half of each color into separate pans — you’ll get: one red layer, one green layer, and one mixed (swirled or choose red again). Bake 20–26 minutes, or until the center springs back. Cool completely.
- Beat butter + cream cheese until fluffy. Add powdered sugar gradually. Mix in vanilla + salt until smooth and silky.
- Place red layer → frost. Add green layer → frost. Add final red layer → frost the whole cake.
- Press chopped pecans around sides. Sprinkle the top with red & green sprinkles. Pipe little frosting stars around the edge if desired.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg