10 Elegant Red Velvet Desserts

Red velvet isn’t just a flavor—it’s a statement. Its vibrant hue and luxurious cocoa undertones have a way of making any dessert feel like an occasion.

From classic cakes to inventive breakfast twists, these red velvet recipes prove that you don’t need a special reason to indulge in a little decadence.

Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any day of the year!

this recipe ⇨

1. Red Velvet Cake

The traditional layered cake with cream cheese frosting is a timeless favorite. Moist and tender, this dessert is perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion.

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• Cream cheese frosting (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
3. In another bowl, mix oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar until smooth.
4. Gradually combine wet and dry ingredients, mixing until just incorporated.
5. Divide batter evenly between the pans and bake for 30-35 minutes. Let cool before frosting.

2. Red Velvet Cupcakes

Individual portions of classic red velvet cake are topped with a swirl of cream cheese or buttercream frosting. These cupcakes are great for parties and easy to serve.

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• ½ teaspoon white vinegar
• Cream cheese frosting

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, combine oil, buttermilk, egg, vanilla, and food coloring.
4. Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir in vinegar.
5. Divide batter into liners and bake for 18-20 minutes. Cool before frosting.

3. Red Velvet Cookies

Soft and chewy, these cookies are a delightful treat. Add white chocolate chips for an extra touch of sweetness, making them irresistible to cookie lovers.

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• ½ cup white chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, vanilla, and food coloring.
3. Combine dry ingredients and gradually add to the wet mixture.
4. Fold in white chocolate chips.
5. Drop spoonfuls onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool before serving.

4. Red Velvet Cake Pops

Bite-sized cake balls dipped in chocolate or candy melts are as fun to make as they are to eat. These pops are perfect for kids and parties alike.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups crumbled red velvet cake (baked and cooled)
• ¾ cup cream cheese frosting
• 1 cup candy melts (any color)
• Lollipop sticks

Instructions:

1. Mix crumbled cake with frosting until it forms a dough-like consistency.
2. Roll into small balls and place on a baking sheet. Chill for 1 hour.
3. Melt candy melts according to package instructions.
4. Insert a lollipop stick into each ball and dip into melted candy.
5. Place on parchment paper to set.

5. Red Velvet Trifle

Layers of red velvet cake, cream cheese mousse, and whipped cream come together in a glass for a stunning and indulgent dessert.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups red velvet cake cubes
• 2 cups whipped cream
• 1 cup cream cheese frosting
• Fresh berries (optional)

Instructions:

1. Layer cake cubes, whipped cream, and cream cheese frosting in individual glasses.
2. Repeat layers until glasses are full. Top with fresh berries if desired or cake crumbs.
3. Chill before serving.

6. Red Velvet Pancakes

These vibrant pancakes are perfect for breakfast or brunch, served with a luscious cream cheese syrup. They’re a sweet way to start your day.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• Cream cheese syrup (optional)

Instructions:

1. In one bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, butter, vanilla, and food coloring.
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients until smooth.
4. Cook on a greased skillet over medium heat. Serve with cream cheese syrup.

7. Red Velvet Fudge

Smooth and creamy, this fudge captures the essence of red velvet in every bite. It’s a quick and easy dessert that melts in your mouth.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups white chocolate chips
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• Cream cheese frosting (optional)

Instructions:

1. Melt white chocolate and condensed milk over low heat, stirring until smooth.
2. Stir in vanilla and food coloring.
3. Pour into a greased pan and chill until set. Slice and serve.

8. Red Velvet Waffles

These waffles make a decadent breakfast or dessert, topped with powdered sugar or a cream cheese drizzle for extra indulgence.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring

Instructions:

1. In one bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. In another bowl, mix buttermilk, eggs, butter, vanilla, and food coloring.
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Cook in a waffle iron according to manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Top with powdered sugar, cream cheese drizzle, or a scoop of ice cream.

9. Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars

A luscious combination of a brownie-like red velvet base and creamy cheesecake topping, these bars are as easy to make as they are delicious.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup red velvet cake mix
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch pan.
2. Mix cake mix, egg, and butter to form a dough. Press into the pan.
3. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spread over the dough.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool and slice.

10. Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Two soft cookie-like cakes sandwich a rich cream cheese filling, creating a handheld dessert that’s perfect for snacking.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• ¾ cup buttermilk
• Cream cheese frosting

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and sugar. Mix in egg, vanilla, and food coloring.
3. Combine dry ingredients and add alternately with buttermilk to the wet mixture.
4. Drop spoonfuls onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool and sandwich with frosting.