Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
  • 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tbsp red food coloring
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1-2 tbsp heavy cream, optional

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour the cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
  3. In another bowl, whisk together oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar.
  4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, mixing until smooth.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
  6. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
  8. Meanwhile, prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating cream cheese and butter until fluffy.
  9. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until smooth; stir in vanilla and optional cream.
  10. Once cooled, frost the top of one cake layer, place the second layer on top, and frost the top and sides.