The BEST Red Velvet Desserts
Ok, before we even begin, let’s all just agree that red velvet isn’t just chocolate and vanilla flavor mixed together. My soul weeps when I hear it referred to that because it’s so much more and deserves “respect on it’s name.”
Red velvet has a light chocolate flavor paired with the tanginess of buttermilk and very faint notes of vanilla. It’s a flavor, when done right, is in a class of it’s own.
Its beautiful red color isn’t just for Valentine’s Day or Christmas celebrations; it’s perfect for any occassion.
It is one of my favorite flavors, especially if it strikes that delicate balance of sweetness and tanginess.
Capturing the distinct taste of red velvet isn’t always easy, though, but I’d like to believe I’ve successfully nailed it with these red velvet desserts I’m about to share with you.
After numerous trials and errors, I’ve curated my top red velvet dessert recipes that have garnered rave reviews, rewards, and endless compliments.
But before we dive into the world of red velvet sweet treats, let’s take a brief detour into its debated history.
Where did red velvet even come from? The Great Debate
In the Victorian Era, cakes with of a velvety crumb texture and a pillowy softness rose in popularity. These “velvet cakes” were considered a luxurious dessert compared to the standard course crumb cakes of the time.
 Some culinary historians suggest that the original red velvet cake got its name from the faint reddish-brown hue from the cocoa powder.
The roots of red velvet cake remain up for debate. One popular story credits New York City’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel as the birthplace of this beloved dessert. However, the Adams Extract Company in Texas maintains that they invented the cake as a marketing strategy to boost their food coloring sales during the Great Depression.
The Southern charm of red velvet cake was revived when it was showcased in the 1989 film “Steel Magnolias,” and its popularity has remained.
Now, let’s embark on a journey through the world of tried-and-true red velvet desserts!!
 Oh, and make sure to check back in, I have some incredible recipes for red velvet cheesecake, red velvet cinnamon rolls, and red velvet poke cake that you won’t want to miss!
Best Red Velvet Dessert Recipes
The BEST Red Velvet Cake
Let’s kick things off with the King Daddy of red velvet desserts – Red Velvet Cake! This layer cake is a beloved staple of Southern cuisine, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s freakin gorgeous and tastes amazing!Â
Ever since I first shared this red velvet cake recipe on my blog in 2009, it has soared in popularity. It’s been a hit in numerous bakeries and has amassed thousands of glowing 5-star reviews from satisfied bakers and cake lovers.
The accolades don’t stop there. This recipe was voted first place in Pancake Princess’s food blogger bake-off for red velvet cake and also claimed the winning victory in the Kitch.com red velvet bake-off.Â
This cake bakes up so light, fluffy, and insanely moist! It boasts the best red velvet flavor paired with a decadent cream cheese frosting.
It just ticks all the right boxes!
Red Velvet Cookies
These gorgeous red velvet cookie sandwiches are as irresistible as they come. Soft, chewy, and loaded with red velvet flavor.Â
Made from scratch, using classic red velvet ingredients – buttermilk for a tender crumb and unsweetened cocoa powder for a hint of chocolate. Each bite is full of real-deal red velvet flavor.
The sweet and tangy cream cheese filling is the bomb addition to these cookies. It’s firm enough to hold its shape yet soft enough to melt in your mouth without squishing out too much when you bite into them – a  very important balance when it comes to cookie sandwiches, in my opinion.Â
These cookie can also easily be transformed into red velvet ice cream sandwiches. Just imagine a scoop of vanilla or cheesecake-flavored ice cream nestled between two of these cookies – sign me up!
Red Velvet Brownies
These red velvet brownies offer a delicious variation on the classic brownie and have quickly ascended to the top of my red velvet desserts list!
Their texture is the best of both worlds; cake-like softness and fudgy richness, with crispy edges and a crackly top.
The homemade brownie batter is perfect for incorporating nuts or baking chips if you’re in the mood for some extra crunch or sweetness.
For an added touch of red velvet decadence, consider drizzling them with melted white chocolate chips or spreading on cream cheese frosting.
Set these red beauties on a table, and watch as they vanish before your eyes. Yep, they’re that doggone good!Â
Red Velvet Pound Cake
This red velvet pound cake is truly a showstopper with its bold color and soft crumb texture. The secret to its extraordinary tenderness is buttermilk and sour cream!Â
This cake boasts a mild red velvet flavor that’s divine, especially when paired with a dollop of creamy vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream.
A silky cream cheese glaze and sprinkling of nuts finished off this red velvet pound cake.
Whether you’re serving this beautiful cake after a meal or savoring it with a cup of coffee for breakfast, this it’s truly one of the best red velvet desserts!
Red Velvet Snowball Cookies
These red velvet snowball cookies are a real treat for the eyes and tastebuds! I just adore the bright red color paired with the powdery white confectioner sugar!
It’s like these little red velvet snowball cookies were made for the festive Christmas season.
But looks aren’t all they’ve got going for them; they are absolutely delicious! Unlike traditional snowball cookies, which are known for their crispiness, these red velvet variants take a different path. They offer a dense yet tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
The distinctively chocolatey buttermilk flavor of red velvet is unmistakable and they are fabulous for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoyed with a hot cup of cocoa! Â
Red Velvet Cupcakes
For those who are still undecided about the unique flavor of red velvet, these red velvet cupcakes could be a game-changer. Unlike traditional red velvet with its distinctive light chocolate tang, these cupcakes offer a more subtle profile, creating a delightful middle-ground of red velvet flavor.
When paired with a milder cream cheese frosting, these cupcakes deliver a calmer yet unmistakable red velvet flavor that is perfect for red velvet newbies.Â
I mean, it’s pretty hard to resist that vibrant red hue and fluffy white frosting on the dessert table! So whether you’re a die-hard red velvet fan or new to this classic flavor, give these cupcakes a try – they might just become your new favorite!
Common Red Velvet Dessert Questions
What is the best red food coloring for red velvet cake?
Red velvet cakes are often recommended to be made with red gel food coloring, as it blends seamlessly and minimizes bleeding. However, I prefer liquid food coloring because it’s what my grandmother always used.
What makes red velvet cake so special?
The subtle yet distinctive flavor, velvety crumb texture and stunning hue of red velvet cake are what sets it apart.
How flavors compliment red velvet?Â
You’ll see from many of the red velvet recipes that I feature, I love adding hot coffee or expresso powder to the batter. It complements the light chocolate flavor so well and really enhances the overall flavor profile of red velvet.
Coconut is also a great flavor that compliments red velvet the batter. Add coconut extract to the batter or the cream cheese frosting.
Can red velvet cake be a different color?
It sure can! You may have heard of blue velvet, black velvet, or even green velvet cakes. It’s simply changing the food coloring used. The cake still has the signature red velvet flavor and ingredients. You can also change the flavor like I did with this Lemon Velvet cake while keeping the same velvety crumb texture.
