A layer of cheesecake is surrounded by 2 red velvet cake layers and then frosting in a thick, creamy cheesecake frosting in this Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake that is impressive and delicious!
I think I am the queen of procrastination. I used to belong to the Daring Bakers, but I would always procrastinate until the last minute – and it just became too much for me. And here I am again, procrastinating until the last minute…
You see, I came up with the idea for this Red Velvet Week months ago. You would think that I would have taken that time to make everything and have everything prepared. But of course, I didn’t. I made one recipe a couple of weeks ago, then 2 last week. And here I am, finishing the last 2 this week – this cake just getting finished yesterday. It wouldn’t have been a big deal, but I didn’t read through the instructions completely until I started the cake, when I realized that the cheesecake was supposed to be frozen overnight. Well, I managed to make this whole cake – start to finish – in one day, chasing the sunshine the whole time. That’s the other thing – I couldn’t finish into the night, because I value my natural sunlight for pictures!!
But regardless, it all worked out. And what a stunner this red velvet cake is. I knew I wanted to do one recipe that was a show-stopper. I contemplated between this cake and this Red Velvet Cheesecake. In the end, this Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake won out – mostly because I discovered that I had bookmarked this twice – which means I must really want it!
I know it looks impressive, and complicated, but really, it was a lot easier than I anticipated. It did take some time. And I would suggest starting it a day before you need it. But each step wasn’t too difficult. But the true test is how it tastes. And it passed with flying colors. The 3 components of this cake – each was completely perfect. The cake was the perfect, moist red velvet cake. The cheesecake was creamy and tangy and everything I look for in a cheesecake. And the frosting was not too sweet, but it brought everything together perfectly. I would definitely make this again – especially if I wanted to impress someone!!
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Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake
Ingredients
Cheesecake
- 20 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 3/4 cups sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Red Velvet Cake
- 2 1/2 cups cake flour
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons 1 oz. red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
Frosting
- 12 oz. cream cheese softened
- 12 oz. butter softened
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- chocolate bar for garnish
Instructions
Make the Cheesecake:
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF.
- With an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until fluffy, scraping down the bowl as needed. Gradually add in the sugar and continue to beat until fluffy. Beat in the lemon juice, lemon zest and salt. Add in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition. Beat in the sour cream.
- Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with a circle of parchment paper. Wrap the outside of the pan in foil. (I like to double wrap it to make sure water doesn't leak in.) Pour the filling into the pan, and place in a roasting pan or a larger pan that the springform pan will fit into. Transfer to the oven. Fill the roasting pan with at least 1 inch of boiling water.
- Bake until the cheesecake is just set in the center, about 45 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for 20 minutes. Run a paring knife around the edge of the cheesecake, then let it cool completely. Cover and chill overnight.
- Once chilled, wrap the cheesecake in plastic wrap and freeze.
Make the Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line the bottoms of 2 9-inch baking pans with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa and salt.
- In the bowl of a mixer, beat the eggs, oil, buttermilk, food coloring, vanilla and vinegar until combined. Add in the dry ingredients and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Divide the batter evenly between the 2 prepared pans. Bake until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes, rotating halfway through the baking time. Let the cakes cool for 5 minutes, then invert to a cooling rack to cool completely. Level the cakes, if needed.
Make the Frosting:
- Beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together with a mixer until combined. Add in the sugar and continue to beat until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes.
To Assemble the Cake:
- Place the bottom cake layer on a cake stand. Remove the cheesecake from the freezer and remove the plastic wrap and peel off the parchment paper. Place the cheesecake layer on top of the bottom cake layer. If the cheesecake is larger than the cake layer, trim as needed with a sharp knife. Place the top cake layer on top of the cheesecake layer. Coat the cake with a generous amount of the frosting to make a crumb coat, then use the remaining frosting to frost the cake. Top the cake with chocolate curls or grated chocolate to decorate.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Recipe Notes:
Follow Deborah Harroun {Taste and Tell}’s board {For the Love of Red Velvet} on Pinterest.
darcyeats says
This doesn't look absolutely amazing or anything..
I'm lying…it totally does! YUM!!
I love all the Valentine's red velvet.
keepitsweet says
Red velvet week just keeps getting better and better!
keepitsweet says
Red velvet week just keeps getting better and better!
Liz says
All your effort paid off because this looks amazing!
hungryhealthyhilary says
YUM! I've been searching for some sort of red velvet recipe for Valentine's…this might have to be in the running!
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
This looks amazing and your photography is just beautiful!
Melanie says
This IS showstopping. I've had it bookmarked for a while too and now with your recommendation, it looks like I'll be making it. What a stunning cake!
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
This cake is superb! So smooth and delicious looking.
Cheers,
Rosa
teresa says
it's so pretty!! i really want to make this for v-day!
Carrian says
That is beautiful and sounds amazing!!
claire says
gorgeous! looks straight out of a southern living!
Pam says
Your cheesecake sounds decadent for sure. It has to be delicious and looks beautiful. Yum!
Jennifurla says
It's beautiful, I do all my pics on the weekend at this point for good light…I hate racing time in the evening. Lovely pics!
Joanne says
I considered baking this around christmas time and actually went with the red velvet cheesecake instead LOL. You and I seriously think and crave alike. The cake turned out beautifully!
Holly says
This sounds deeeelish!! I love that there is cheesecake inside. I am a total procrastinator as well!!So I got a kick outta reading this post;)
Maria says
Beautiful cake!