What
you need,
For
the cake,
½
cup butter, at room temperature
1½
cups granulated sugar
2
large eggs
5
tbsp. cocoa powder
6
tbsp. red food coloring (I needed 2½ small bottles)
1
tsp. vanilla extract
1
cup buttermilk
2
cups + 4 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1
tsp. baking soda
3
tsp. distilled white vinegar
1
tsp. salt (I used salted butter so I skipped the salt)
For
the icing,
8
oz. butter, at room temperature
8
oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
5
cups powdered sugar
2
tbsp. vanilla
Heat
the oven to 350 degrees. Spray two 8 inch round cake pans with cooking spray.
In
the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter
and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add
the eggs one at a time and mix to incorporate fully.
In
a separate bowl stir together the cocoa powder, vanilla and food coloring to
make a smooth paste.
Add
the paste mixture to the stand mixer and beat until fully mixed. You may need
to stop the mixer and scrape the bowl a few times to really get it all mixed in
there.
Reduce
the mixer speed to low, add in ½ the buttermilk and then half the flour. Mix to
combine then repeat with the remaining buttermilk and flour. Mix on high until
the batter is smooth, about 1 minute.
Reduce
the speed again and add salt, baking soda and vinegar. Beat another minute or
two until smooth and light.
Bake
for 25-30 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. Test with a toothpick
after 25 minutes. The cakes are done with the toothpick comes out clean.
Cool
on a rack in the pans for 10 minutes. Then remove from the pans and cool
completely on a wire rack.
To
make the icing fit your stand mixer with the whisk attachment.
On
high speed mix the butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 5
minutes. Scrape the bowl down as needed.
Reduce
the speed to low, slowly add the icing sugar until it all mixed in and the
mixture is smooth.
Add
the vanilla mix to combine.
Increase
the speed to high and whip for 1-2 minutes until the icing is light and fluffy.
Ice and decorate cake to your liking!
Jen of My Tiny Oven
