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[Music] have you ever craved a cake that not only tastes incredible but looks like it
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belongs in a bakery window well today I making a red velvet
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bunt cake that's rich velvety and guaranteed to impress whether you're
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celebrating Valentine's Day or just craving something indulgent this cake has got you covered
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our talking about buttery soft texture deep cocoa flavor and that classic red
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Hue that makes it so special and to top it all off are finishing with a smooth
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cream cheese frosting and fresh fresh
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strawberries trust me this is a dessert worth making let's jump in before I
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start let's get everything measured and ready I have learned the hard way that
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scrambling for ingredients mid recipe is a Sure Fire way to forget something
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important having everything prepped beforehand makes the process smooth and
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stress-free the foundation of any great cake starts with the dry ingredients
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each one plays an essential role in achieving the perfect texture and taste
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first I have 2 and 1/2 cups of allpurpose flour this ingredient is the
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backbone of our cake giving it structure and ensuring it holds together while staying light and
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fluffy next I add half a teaspoon of salt you might not think salt belongs in
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a cake but trust me it enhances all the flavors and balances out the sweetness
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preventing the cake from tasting onedimensional then there's 1 teaspoon of baking powder
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this is our magic ingredient that helps the cake rise without it I'd have a
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dense heavy cake instead of a beautifully soft and Airy one finally I
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incorporate 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder this is what gives our red velvet
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cake that slight hint of chocolate making it unique and irresistibly Rich
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the cocoa also deepens the color pairing beautifully with the red food coloring later on I whisk these ingredients
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together to evenly distribute them ensuring no surprise clumps of baking powder or salt in the final batter if
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you don't have a whisk a simple Fork will do the trick I whisk these together
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to evenly distribute the ingredients ensuring that each bite of cake has a
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balanced flavor and texture this step also helps prevent clumps of baking
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powder or cocoa which could create unpas and surprises in the final product
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if you don't have a whisk a simple Fork will do the job just fine this is my
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process for most of my baked goods I always prep my dry ingredients first and
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then move on to the wet ingredients it makes the process much easier and keeps everything organized rather than adding
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ingredients one at a time and risking over mixing or forgetting something along the way now that our dry
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ingredients are ready it's time to bring in the wet once these ingredients will
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add moisture richness and depth of flavor ensuring our cake is soft and
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packed with taste first I have four eggs eggs are the glue that holds our cake
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together they help bind all the ingredients while adding structure and
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richness without them the cake would crumble apart instead of holding that
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beautiful bunt shape next I add 2 tpoon of vanilla extract this might seem like
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a small amount but vanilla plays a huge role in enhancing the overall flavor it
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gives a warm aromatic depth that compliments the cocoa and balances the
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sweetness beautifully finally I pour in one cup of Buttermilk this is our secret
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ingredient for achieving a perfectly moist cake buttermilk has a subtle Tang
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that not only adds flavor but also reacts with the baking powder to create a light tender crumb if you don't have
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buttermilk on hand don't worry you can make a quick substitute by mixing one
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cup of milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice let it sit for a few
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minutes and you've got yourself a homemade buttermilk alternative that
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works just as well [Music]
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I continue by adding one cup of room temperature butter to a large mixing
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bowl butter is the foundation of this Cake's texture at room temperature it
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blends effortlessly with sugar creating a smooth creamy base if it's too cold it
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won't incorporate properly leaving lumps behind if it's melted the batter won't
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hold air resulting in a dense cake the perfect consistency is soft and pliable
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making it easy to whip into a light Airy mixture next I add two cups of sugar to
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the Bowl sugar does more than just sweeten it's essential for texture as it
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mixes with butter it creates tiny air pockets ating the batter and ensuring a
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tender Bak b style crumb skipping or rushing the step could leave you with
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dense cake instead of the soft delicate bunt I'm aiming for I use a hand mixer
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to beat the butter and sugar together as they mix the color lightens and the
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texture becomes fluffy this is a sign that enough air has been
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Incorporated this process takes about 3 to 5 minutes and patience is key the
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longer you cream the better the the final texture if you don't have a hand mixer a sturdy whisk will do the trick
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though it takes more effort just keep mixing in circular
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motions until you achieve that smooth fluffy
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consistency the key here is patience whipping in enough air is what makes this cake melt in your mouth soft once
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the butter and sugar are perfectly creamed the mixture should be pale
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smooth and slightly glossy that's my cue that it's time to
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move on to the next step the foundation of a great cake is in the details and
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this creaming process sets us up for success
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[Music] I mix the eggs buttermilk and vanilla
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into the butter and sugar mixture blending until smooth and wel combined
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this keeps the batter silky and prevents curdling
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next I add the dry ingredients and mix with a hand mixer on low speed just
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until everything is incorporated over mixing can lead to a dense cake so I
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keep a close eye stopping as soon as the batter looks smooth even with a simple
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hand mixer a light touch is all it takes to keep the texture soft and fluffy
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did you know that bun cakes actually have a pretty cool history they may seem
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like a classic American dessert but their roots go way back to Europe
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specifically Germany and Austria there people made a type of cake called Google
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hoop which was a yeasted fruit studded cake baked in a decorative ring-shaped
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pan it was super popular especially for special occasions fast forward to the 1950s when
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a group of Jewish women from Minnesota wanted to recreate the traditional Google ho from their Homeland they
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reached out to a company called Nordic wear and asked them to design a similar
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Pan the company tweaked the design using aluminum and adding those signature
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ridges and boom the bun pan was born at first bun cakes weren't all that popular
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but everything changed in the 1960s when a recipe called The Tunnel of Fudge cake won second place in a
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Pillsbury baking contest people went crazy for it and suddenly everyone wanted a bunt pan
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sales skyrocketed and the bunt cake became a staple in American kitchens what makes
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bun cakes so fun is that they're more about the shape than a specific recipe
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you can make them in all sorts of flavors chocolate lemon pumpkin spice
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red velvet like the one I just made you name it the pan does all the work in
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making them look fancy so even a simple recipe turns out stunning so next time
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you bake a bun cake just remember it's not just a delicious dessert it's a
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little piece of History shaped to perfection
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and now the most exciting part red food
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coloring this is where the cake transforms from a rich cocoa infused batter into the vibrant red velvet
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Beauty I know and love I carefully measure 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of liquid
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red food coloring and drizzle it into the bowl as I begin to mix the batter
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slowly takes on that deep signature Hue blending beautifully with the cocoa and
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buttermilk if you don't have liquid food coloring don't worry gel food coloring
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is an excellent alternative just remember it's more concentrated so
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you'll only need a small amount about half a teaspoon to start I always recommend adding the coloring gradually
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until you reach your desired shade G is a bold red that stands out but still
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maintains that classic velvety richness if you want to experiment there are also
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natural food coloring options made from beet powder or pomegranate juice while
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they won't be as vibrant they provide a more subtle earthy red tone for a more
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natural take on red velvet once the color is fully Incorporated I take a moment to admire
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the transformation it's like watching magic happen in the mixing bowl with the
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batter now beautifully red it's time to move on to the next step prepping the
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before I even think about pouring the batter I take a moment to prepare the
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boond pan this step is crucial there's nothing worse than putting all that
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effort into a cake only for it to stick to the pan trust me I've been there and
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it's not fun scraping pieces of cake out of the pan instead of admiring a
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beautiful intact bunt I start with 1 tblspoon spoon of
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vegetable shortening and use a sandwich bag over my hand to spread it evenly
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across every nook and cranny of the pan making sure no spot is left dry if you
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want to get fancy disposable vinyl gloves work great too I've been using
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them a lot lately when baking those intricate boond pan designs may look
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stunning but they're also notorious for trapping cake a thorough greasing is the
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key to ensuring a clean Flawless release when you flip the cake out no one wants
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half their cake stuck to the pan next I grab 1 tblspoon of allpurpose
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flour and sprinkle it evenly over the greased pan I either do this by hand or use a
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small sifter for a more even dusting then I rotate and tap the pan
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ensuring the flour coats every surface this creates a protective barrier between the batter and the pan
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helping the cake slide out effortlessly once baked if you don't have shortening
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butter works just fine just be sure to coat every inch thoroughly another great
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alternative is a non-stick baking spray with flour it's an all-in-one solution
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that saves time and makes this step even easier just be sure to spray from a
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distance to get an even coating without pooling in one area with the pan now
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perfectly prepped I take a moment to appreciate that this simple yet
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essential step is going to make all the difference when it's time to reveal the
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finished cake now are finally ready to pour in the batter
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[Music] I pour the batter evenly into the
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prepared bunt pan making sure it's smooth on top so it bakes evenly a level
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batter helps Ensure the cake Rises uniformly without creating any uneven
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spots into the preheated 350° fah oven it goes for 50 to 65
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minutes baking time can vary depending on altitude if you're at a higher
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altitude above 3,000 ft you may need to slightly reduce the baking temperature
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to 325° fah and check for dness a little
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earlier as baked goods tend to cook faster at higher
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elevations if you're unsure when it's done insert a toothpick in the center if it comes out clean it's ready after
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baking I let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before flipping it onto a cooling rack this brief resting period
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allows the cake to set while still releasing easily if you don't have a cooling rack a large plate works fine
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just make sure air can circulate so the cake cools evenly however patience is
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key cooling completely before adding any frosting is essential if the cake is
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still warm the frosting will melt right off instead of spreading smoothly for
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the best results I let the cake cool for at least 1 hour at room temperature
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ideally around 70° fah 21° C if the
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kitchen is warm it may take up to 2 hours to cool fully to be sure the cake
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is ready for frosting I sometimes check the temperature with a digital kitchen
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thermometer the cake should be around 75° F or 24° C or cooler before frosting
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if it's still above that I give it more time rushing this step can ruin the
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final look and texture
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while my bun cake is cooling I take care of two important steps prepping the
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strawberries and making the frosting if the cake is even slightly warm the
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frosting will melt instead of forming that beautiful thick layer patience is
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key waiting until the cake reaches room temperature in ensures a Flawless finish
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the final touch to this red velvet bunt cake is a rich smooth cream cheese
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frosting it's luscious slightly Tangy and perfectly balances the sweetness of
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the cake I start by washing the strawberries in a vinegar solution a simple mix of
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one part vinegar to three parts water this helps remove dirt bacteria
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and any lingering pesticides while also extending their freshness I
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let them soak for about 5 minutes then rinse them thoroughly under cold running water to ensure there's no vinegar taste
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Left Behind for a step-by-step guide on how I properly wash and prep fresh
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berries check out my video the best way to clean and store fresh
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strawberries next I slic the strawberries in half making sure to keep
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them looking uniform and beautiful for decorating to keep them from browning or
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losing their bright red color I place them in a bowl of cold water mixed with
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fruit fresh produce protector this step is key for
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maintaining their freshness color and texture especially if I'm prepping them
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ahead of time for more details on how I use fruit fresh and other methods to
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keep fruit looking fresh longer check out my video how to keep
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strawberries fresh and bright for hours now that the strawberries are
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prepped and picture [Music]
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perfect I begin with 2 and 1/2 cups of powdered sugar which gives the frosting
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both structure and the right level of sweetness I like to sift it first to
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prevent any lumps ensuring a silky smooth texture next I add 4 oz of room
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temperature cream cheese this is the star ingredient providing that signature
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Tangy flavor using cream cheese at room temperature is essential for a smooth
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blend preventing any clumps in the frosting for extra depth I stir in 1/2
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teaspoon of vanilla extract even a small amount enhances the flavor and
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complements the Cake's cocoa undertones beautifully to get the perfect drizzle
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consistency I add 3 tblspoon of milk this helps thin the frosting just enough
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to flow effortlessly over the cake if it's still too thick I add more milk one
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teaspoon at a time until I reach the ideal texture once everything is in the
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bowl I grab my hand mixer and beat the ingredient ingredients until the frosting is smooth creamy and glossy no
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hand mixer no problem a strong whisk works too it just takes a little more
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elbow grease the key is to keep mixing until there are no lumps and the
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frosting has a light velvety finish at first my frosting turned out a bit too
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runny so I added a little more powdered sugar to thicken it up just a small
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adjustment made all the difference bringing it back to the perfect consistency for drizzling now that the
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frosting is just right it's time to bring this red velvet bun cake to life
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[Music] you know what's cool about
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strawberries their peak season in the USA is usually from April to June but it
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depends on where you are California grows about 90% of the nation's
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strawberries crazy right Florida is another big player especially in the
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winter and up in Oregon and Washington they're famous for those super sweet and
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juicy summer strawberries here's something fun strawberries can taste a
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little different depending on where they're grown California berries tend to
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be larger and firm with um mild
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sweetness making them great for shipping and snacking Florida strawberries are
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often smaller and have a tart Edge that's perfect for desserts and those summer berries from Oregon and
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Washington they're known for being super sweet and soft almost like nature's candy it's amazing how much the region
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can influence the flavor oh and here's a fun little nugget
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strawberries love well- drained soil and lots of
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sunshine which is why they thrive in those places and get this the average
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American eats around 8 lb of strawberries a year I mean who can blame
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I start by placing the fully cooled cake on a cake stand to make clean up easier
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I sometimes slip small pieces of parchment paper under the edges of the cake this catches any drips and can be
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removed afterward for a neat presentation I slowly drizzle the frosting over the top of the cake
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letting it naturally flow Down The Ridges I work my way around allowing the
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frosting to Cascade beautifully creating that signature Bond cake look if I want
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a thicker layer I go over certain areas twice making sure the frosting settles
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evenly for extra control I sometimes use a Piping Bag or a zip top bag with a
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small Corner snipped off this lets me guide the frosting exactly where I want
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it while still keeping that elegant drizzled effect once the frosting is set
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I take it up a notch by adding fresh strawberries some on top and others
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arranged beautifully around the base of the cake the vibrant red berries not
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only complement the rich red velvet color but also add a fresh juicy
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contrast to the creamy frosting now with the final touches in place I take a
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moment to admire the cake it's a showstopper all that's left to do is
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slice serve and enjoy [Music]
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Joy if you have leftovers lucky you here's how to store your cake properly
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so you can enjoy every bite just as fresh as the day it was baked first if
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you plan to finish the cake within a few days storing it at room temperature is
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the easiest option I place the cake in an airtight container and keep it in a cool dry
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Place away from direct sunlight this keeps the cake moist and delicious for up to 3 days if you don't
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have an airtight container wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil
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works just as well if you need to store it a bit longer the refrigerator is a
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great choice I transfer the cake to an airtight container and refrigerated for
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up to 5 days before serving I always let it come back to room temperature usually about 30 minutes to an hour so the
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texture softens and the flavors Shine for long-term storage freezing is the best method to freeze the entire cake I
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first wrap it tightly in plastic wrap making sure no part is exposed to air
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then I place it in a freezer safe bag or airtight container to prevent freezer
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burn if I'm Freez using individual slices I wrap each slice separately
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before placing them in a freezer bag this way I can thaw only the portions I
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need the cake stays fresh for up to 3 months in the freezer when I'm ready to
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enjoy it I transfer the cake to the refrigerator overnight to thaw slowly
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then bring it to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor
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one final tip if the cake seems a bit dry after Refrigeration or freezing a
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quick 10-second zap in the microwave can bring back some of that freshly baked moisture making it taste like it just
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[Music] oven if you need to take this cake somewhere make sure it arrives in one
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piece I recommend using a cake carrier or placing it in a deep box with
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non-slip padding underneath to prevent sliding I actually have a separate video
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where I show you the most budget friendly and efficient way to transport cakes so be sure to check that out if
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you need some extra tips
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if you're on the hunt for more Valentine's Day treats be sure to check out my next video why everyone is
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obsessed with this Valentine's Shaker board trust me you won't want to miss it
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see you there I've also left the full recipe and links to all the tools I used
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in the description below so you can easily grab everything you need and
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there you have it a stunning moist and flavor packed red velvet bunt cake the
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rich cocoa Tangy cream cheese frosting and juicy fresh strawberries come
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together in absolute dessert Perfection if you try this recipe I'd love to hear
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how it turns out and if you enjoyed baking with me today don't forget to like subscribe and hit that Bell icon so
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you never miss another delicious creation also drop a comment what's your
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favorite Valentine's Day dessert I'd love to know happy baking and I'll see
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you in my next video [Music]