Ingredients:

  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 0.5 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp white distilled vinegar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp red food coloring
  • 8 oz full-fat cream cheese
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1g salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
  3. In a large bowl, beat together the vegetable oil, eggs, buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until smooth.
  4. Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined, ensuring no streaks of flour remain.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs.
  6. Cool cake layers completely on a wire rack.
  7. Prepare the frosting by beating together softened cream cheese and butter, then adding powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
  8. Frost the cake layers and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours to ensure frosting stability before serving.