RED VELVET CAKE WITH FRESH BERRIES

Red Velvet Cake with Fresh Berries image

Provided by Food Network

Categories dessert

Time 1h5m

Yield 10 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

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1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for pan
2 1/4 cups sifted cake flour (sifted, then measured), plus more for pan
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons red food coloring
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
Two 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
4 pints fresh berries, such as raspberries and blueberries

Steps:

For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch high sides.
Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl. Whisk the buttermilk, food coloring, vanilla and vinegar in a small bowl to blend. Using an electric mixer, beat the granulated sugar and butter in a large bowl until well blended. Add the eggs one at a time, beating until well blended after each addition. Beat in the dry ingredients in four additions alternately with the buttermilk mixture in three additions.
Divide the batter between the prepared pans. Bake until a tester inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool in the pans on racks, 10 minutes. Turn the cakes out onto racks to cool completely.
For the frosting: Beat the butter and cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth. Beat in the vanilla. Add the confectioners' sugar and beat until smooth.
To assemble: Place one cake layer, flat-side up, on a platter. Spread 1 cup frosting over the top of the cake. Arrange 1 pint raspberries and 1/2 pint blueberries atop the frosting, pressing lightly to adhere. Top with the second cake layer, flat-side down. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake. Arrange the remaining berries decoratively over top of the cake.