The Best Pink Velvet Cake

Name: Pink Velvet Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 140 min
Ingredients: 2½ cups all-purpose flour (- spoon & level method); 1½ cups granulated sugar (- 300 g); 2 tsp baking powder; ½ tsp baking soda; ¾ tsp salt; ½ cup unsalted butter (- room temperature); ¼ cup vegetable oil (- 60 ml); 3 large eggs (- room temperature); 1 cup buttermilk (- room temperature); 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1–2 tsp pink gel food coloring (- adjust to shade preference); 8 oz cream cheese (- softened); ½ cup unsalted butter (- softened); 4 cups powdered sugar (- sifted); 2 tsp vanilla extract; 2–3 tbsp heavy cream (- add as needed); 1 pinch salt (- enhances flavor)

Last February, three weeks before Oliver's sixth birthday, he announced he wanted a "pink cake that's not strawberry." I spent my lunch breaks scrolling through Pinterest, looking at pink dessert recipes. That's when I found pink velvet cake. I made my first test batch on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. Oliver took one bite and said, "Mom, this is the best cake in the whole world!" I saved that quote on my phone because proud mom moment. Since February 2024, I've made this pink velvet cake recipe 31 times. Yes, I actually keep count in my little kitchen notebook (I know, I'm weird).

Pink velvet cake slice with three magenta layers, creamy pink frosting, and pink swirls topped with purple sprinkles on a floral plate.

Why You'll Love This Pink Velvet Cake

This pink velvet cake recipe has saved me so many times. Oliver's last-minute school events, surprise birthday parties, that time my sister called at 8 PM asking if I could bring dessert to her baby shower the next day. It's my go-to because it works every time. The batter comes together in about 20 minutes, and I don't need any fancy equipment. Just my regular mixing bowls and the hand mixer I've had since 2018. My friend Jennifer always asks for "bakery recommendations" when she needs a pink velvet cake , and I finally convinced her to try making this one herself last month. She texted me three photos and "WHY HAVE I BEEN BUYING CAKES?!" So yeah, it's that good.

Here's the thing that really got me: it actually tastes better the next day. Most pink velvet cake get dry after sitting overnight, but this moist pink velvet cake gets even softer because the cream cheese frosting soaks in a little. I made one on a Friday for a Saturday party, and honestly, I think waiting that extra day made it taste even better. Oliver sneaked a tiny piece Friday night (I caught him with frosting on his nose), and then another piece Saturday afternoon, and he said the Saturday piece was "more better." His words, not mine.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Pink Velvet Cake
Ingredients For Pink Velvet Cake
Step by Step Method
Substitutions
Pink Velvet Cake Variations
Equipment For Pink Velvet Cake
Storage Tips
Top Tip
FAQ
My Final Thoughts
Related
Pairing
Pink Velvet Cake

Ingredients For Pink Velvet Cake

For the Pink Velvet Layer Cake:

Dry Ingredients:

2½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
1½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt

Fats:

½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, room temperature
¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil

Wet Ingredients:

3 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-2 teaspoons pink gel food coloring

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-3 tablespoons heavy cream
Pinch of salt

Step by Step Method

Prep Your Kitchen and Ingredients

Preheat oven to 350°F and position rack in the middle for even baking
Set butter, eggs, and buttermilk on counter 30-45 minutes before starting to reach room temperature
Grease two 9-inch round pans with butter, line bottoms with parchment circles, then grease again
Set a timer on your phone so you don't forget about those ingredients sitting out

Mix Your Dry Base

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in large bowl for 30 seconds
Spoon flour into measuring cup and level off-don't scoop directly from bag or you'll pack it down
Cut room-temperature butter into tablespoon-sized pieces and add to dry ingredients
Mix on low speed 2-3 minutes until mixture looks like coarse sand or wet beach sand

Prepare the Pink Batter Magic

Add vegetable oil to the sand-like mixture and blend 30 seconds until evenly moistened
In separate bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, and 1-2 teaspoons pink gel food coloring
Pour half the wet ingredients into flour mixture, mix on low 30 seconds, then scrape bowl sides
Add remaining wet ingredients, mix on low 30-45 seconds, then medium speed exactly 20 seconds

Bake to Soft Fluffy Perfection

Divide batter evenly between two pans (about 510-520g each if using a scale)
Tap each pan firmly on counter 3-4 times to release air bubbles that create holes
Bake 28-32 minutes until toothpick has moist crumbs and top springs back when pressed
Don't open oven door before 25 minutes or cakes might sink in the middle

Cool and Prepare for Frosting

Let cakes cool in pans exactly 10 minutes, then run knife around edges
Flip onto cooling racks and peel off parchment paper carefully
Cool completely for at least 1 hour before frosting-warm cake makes frosting melt
Speed this up by freezing cooled layers 30 minutes if you're in a rush

Make Dreamy Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat softened cream cheese and butter on medium 2-3 minutes until smooth and fluffy
Scrape bowl sides at least twice to get all the lumps out
Add vanilla and salt, mix briefly, then gradually add powdered sugar one cup at a time on low
Beat on medium-high for 2 minutes, add heavy cream tablespoon by tablespoon if too thick

Assemble Your Show-Stopping Cake

Place first layer on serving plate and spread 1 to 1¼ cups frosting almost to edges
Add second layer bottom-side up for smooth flat top surface
Apply thin crumb coat all over, refrigerate 20-30 minutes to set and trap pink crumbs
Spread final frosting layer in swoops and swirls, then add pink and white sprinkles on top

Substitutions

I've tested 22 different substitutions since February 2024 - here's what actually works without ruining your pink velvet cake:

Buttermilk Options:

Real buttermilk → Milk + vinegar (1 tablespoon white vinegar per cup milk, let sit 5 minutes - used this 6 times when I forgot buttermilk)
Standard → Sour cream thinned with milk (¾ cup sour cream + ¼ cup milk - actually kept it MORE moist than regular buttermilk)
Regular → Plain kefir (same amount, worked great but added slight tang - my neighbor tried this)
Dairy → Oat milk + lemon juice (1 tablespoon per cup for vegan version, but cake was slightly less fluffy)

Flour Alternatives:

All-purpose → Cake flour (use 2¾ cups instead of 2½ cups - makes it even softer, my book club's favorite)
Regular → Gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour (Bob's Red Mill worked in my test, slightly denser but still good)
Standard → Self-rising flour (DON'T - tried adjusting leavening, came out weird and flat)

Oil Changes:

Vegetable oil → Canola oil (no difference at all, use whatever you have)
Regular → Melted coconut oil (works but adds coconut flavor - Oliver liked it, adults thought it was odd)
Standard → Applesauce (FAIL - tried for "healthier" version, texture was gummy and gross)
Neutral oil → Avocado oil (worked perfectly, no flavor change)

Food Coloring Swaps:

Gel coloring → Liquid food coloring (tastes bitter when you use enough for color - don't recommend)
Artificial → Beet powder (1-2 tablespoons for natural pink, adds earthy taste some people don't like)
Pink gel → No coloring at all (off-white cake that's delicious but not pink - made this for my health-conscious friend)

Sugar Options:

Granulated → Coconut sugar (cake turns beige-pink, tastes more caramel-like - tested for my diabetic uncle)
White sugar → Half white, half brown sugar (adds molasses flavor, wasn't our favorite)

Butter Alternatives:

Unsalted butter → Salted butter (just skip the salt in recipe - works fine, I do this when I'm out of unsalted)
Dairy butter → Vegan butter sticks (Earth Balance brand worked, texture was 90% as good)
Regular → All oil instead of butter+oil (cake stayed moist longer but lost that buttery flavor)

Cocoa Powder Addition:

Plain vanilla → Pink velvet cake with cocoa powder (add 2 tablespoons cocoa, reduce flour by 2 tablespoons - my book club scored this 9 out of 10)
No chocolate → Dutch-process cocoa instead of regular (darker color, richer taste)

Cream Cheese Frosting Swaps:

Full-fat cream cheese → Neufchâtel (works but slightly tangier and runnier - chill frosting 15 extra minutes)
Regular → Low-fat cream cheese (DISASTER - frosting slid right off cake, never again)
Dairy → Vegan cream cheese (Kite Hill brand worked okay, not as tangy though)

Pink Velvet Cake Variations

Raspberry Pink Velvet Dream:

Add ½ cup seedless raspberry jam between the cake layers with frosting
Creates a tart-sweet balance that cuts through the richness perfectly
The jam soaks in slightly making each bite even more moist
My Valentine's Day 2025 version that got requests from 6 different friends

Pink Velvet Cupcakes Party Style:

Use same batter but fill cupcake liners ⅔ full instead of cake pans
Bake at 350°F for 18-22 minutes until toothpick has moist crumbs
Makes about 24 cupcakes that are way easier to serve at parties
Oliver's school events favorite because "everyone gets their own cake"

White Chocolate Fancy Version:

Fold 1 cup white chocolate chips into batter before baking (toss in 1 tablespoon flour first)
Adds little melty pockets of chocolate throughout without overpowering pink velvet flavor
Creates richer texture that my book club scored 9 out of 10
Oliver called it "too fancy" but adults absolutely loved it

Mini Layer Cake Adorable:

Use 6-inch round pans instead of 9-inch for smaller celebration cake
Keep baking time the same at 28-32 minutes but only use half the frosting recipe
Serves 6-8 people perfectly without tons of leftovers
Made this for my mom's birthday in April 2025 and it looked bakery-fancy

Sheet Cake Easy Transport:

Pour all batter into greased 9x13-inch pan for simpler serving
Increase baking time to 35-40 minutes instead of 28-32
Just frost the top, cut into squares, and you're done
My go-to for Oliver's school parties because transport and serving is so much easier

Strawberry Speckled Pink:

Add ½ cup finely crushed freeze-dried strawberries to batter before baking
Creates little pink speckles and subtle strawberry flavor without adding moisture
My friend Maria said this was her favorite version at book club
Don't use fresh strawberries-they make the batter too wet and texture gets gummy

Lemon Pink Velvet Bright:

Add 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest to batter and 1 tablespoon to frosting
Creates bright springtime flavor that cuts through the sweetness beautifully
Oliver said "it tastes like pink lemonade cake" which is pretty accurate
Perfect for baby shower cakes-made this for my cousin in March 2025

Quick Pink Velvet Cake Mix Hack:

Start with white cake mix but substitute buttermilk for water and add extra egg
Add pink gel coloring and follow box directions for baking
Not quite as good as from-scratch but saved me during Oliver's 7 PM cupcake emergency
Takes 10 minutes to throw together when you're desperate

Equipment For Pink Velvet Cake

Two 9-inch round cake pans
Stand mixer or hand mixer
Large mixing bowls - at least 3
Rubber spatula

Storage Tips

Best Fresh

Serve at room temperature 30-60 minutes after taking from fridge for best flavor
The cake actually tastes better the next day as frosting soaks in slightly
Oliver sneaked pieces on both Friday night and Saturday - said Saturday's was "more better"
First day is great, but day two hits differently in the best way

Refrigerator Storage

Cover loosely with plastic wrap or store in cake container up to 4-5 days
Cream cheese frosting requires refrigeration after 4 hours at room temperature
Take out 30-60 minutes before serving so it's not ice cold
I usually pull it out while we eat dinner then serve for dessert

Room Temperature Short-Term

Keep in covered cake keeper up to 8 hours if kitchen is below 70°F
Perfect for parties and gatherings during cooler months
Any longer than that and cream cheese frosting needs to go in fridge
Learned this at summer picnic in July 2024 when frosting started sliding off

Freezer Friendly Layers

Wrap completely cooled unfrosted layers tightly in plastic wrap then aluminum foil
Freeze up to 3 months for emergency birthday cakes
Thaw overnight in fridge then bring to room temperature before frosting
My secret to "quick" cakes - Oliver had no idea his was made two weeks early

Freezer Friendly Frosted

Freeze whole frosted cake unwrapped 30 minutes first to harden frosting
Wrap carefully in plastic wrap and foil for up to 2 months
Thaw in fridge overnight - texture is almost identical to fresh
Tested this three times to make sure it actually worked

Individual Slice Storage

Wrap each slice in plastic wrap then store in freezer bag
Perfect for portion control or grabbing quick dessert
Oliver eats his semi-frozen like ice cream pink velvet cake
Thaw 20 minutes or microwave 15 seconds if you want it soft

The Best Pink Velvet Cake slice with three pink-red layers, creamy pink frosting, and piped swirls topped with sprinkles on a floral plate.

Top Tip

Cold ingredients will ruin this Pink Velvet Cake. I learned this the hard way after three failed batches that came out dense and uneven. Cold butter and eggs don't mix right-your batter looks curdled and separated. Now I set everything out 45 minutes before I start. If you forget, put cold eggs in warm water for 10 minutes.

The acid in buttermilk reacts with baking soda to create air bubbles-that's what makes this Pink Velvet Cake so soft and fluffy. My first attempt used regular milk and the texture was wrong. Dense instead of light. I know the milk-plus-vinegar substitute works (I've used it 6 times when desperate), but real buttermilk is better. I keep a quart in my fridge now.

FAQ

What is the flavor of pink velvet cake?

Pink velvet cake has a vanilla flavor with a hint of tanginess from the buttermilk. It's softer and sweeter than red velvet cake, without the cocoa undertone (unless you add it). Think of it as a very moist, tender vanilla cake with a unique texture. Oliver describes it as "like vanilla but more special," which is surprisingly accurate for a seven-year-old. The buttermilk gives it a slight tang that keeps it from being too sweet.

What's the difference between red velvet and pink velvet?

pink velvet cake traditionally has more cocoa powder (giving it that reddish-brown color before the food coloring), plus vinegar and buttermilk for tang. Pink velvet is vanilla-forward with less or no cocoa powder, making it sweeter and less tangy. The texture of pink velvet is also slightly lighter and fluffier. I made them side-by-side once for my book club, and most people preferred the pink velvet-it's less divisive for picky eaters like Oliver.

Is pink velvet just vanilla?

Not quite! While pink velvet cake has a vanilla base, it's made with buttermilk and uses the reverse creaming method, which creates a much softer, more tender texture than regular vanilla cake. It's also way more moist. I tested this by making a regular vanilla cake and this pink velvet recipe on the same day in December 2024. The texture difference was obvious-even my mom could tell which was which in a blind taste test.

What is the best flour for pink velvet cake?

pink velvet cake flour creates the softest crumb because it has less protein than all-purpose flour, meaning less gluten development. But all-purpose flour works great-I use it most of the time because it's what I always have. Don't use bread flour or self-rising flour. If you want to use cake flour, use 2¾ cups instead of the 2½ cups all-purpose flour.

My Final Thoughts

Pink velvet cake has become more than just a recipe in our house-it's part of our family now. Every birthday, every celebration, Oliver asks, "Are we having the pink cake?" And I never get tired of making it. What I love most is how it always works. I've made it on rushed weekday mornings, lazy weekend afternoons, and panicked evening sessions when I forgot about something. It turns out great every single time.

If you loved this pink velvet cake recipe, you'll probably like these other family favorites: Easy Buffalo Chicken Lasagna (Oliver surprisingly loves this one), Easy Tennessee Onions Recipe (my go-to side dish), and Easy Salted Honey Pie Recipe (another dessert that looks fancy but is simple). Happy baking!

Make this pink velvet cake and tell me how it goes. I actually look at all of them, even the ones that are just people saying "yum."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rate this pink velvet cake if you make it!

Why You'll Love This Pink Velvet Cake