Red velvet is a soft, fine-crumbed sponge with a gentle cocoa flavour, a slight tang and a deep red colour. It's one of the sponges in our cake builder, so here is what you're choosing when you pick it.
What does red velvet cake taste like?
Mild cocoa, softer and less rich than a chocolate cake, with a light tang in the background. The texture is the point: a tender, close crumb that gives the cake its name. We describe ours as soft red velvet with a gentle hint of cocoa.
Is red velvet cake chocolate cake?
Not quite. Red velvet has a little cocoa in it, much less than a chocolate sponge, so the chocolate stays in the background. If you want a proper chocolate cake, choose our chocolate sponge, or see our chocolate cakes.
What makes red velvet red?
The tang usually comes from buttermilk in the batter, and older recipes relied on cocoa reacting with it for a reddish-brown tint. Today's bright red comes from food colouring.
What goes with red velvet?
Red velvet is traditionally layered with cream cheese frosting. In our builder, vanilla buttercream keeps it classic, chocolate ganache leans into the cocoa, and fresh cream and strawberry makes it lighter.
How a red velvet cake looks
The red sponge layers look striking against a pale frosting, so a red velvet cake looks its best cut open at the table. A coat of red sponge crumbs pressed onto the sides is the classic way to show what's inside.
When to choose red velvet
It suits Valentine's Day, anniversaries and birthdays, anywhere the colour adds to the occasion.
Ordering a red velvet cake
Open Build your own and choose red velvet as your sponge. Then pick the size, from a bento for one or two up to a 10 inch for around 30, the height, the filling and the finish. The price shows as you go. Collect free from Brockley, SE4, or have it delivered across South East London on the day you pick.
Our red velvet sponge contains gluten, eggs and milk, like our other sponges, and the builder lists the allergens for everything you choose.
Questions about red velvet cake
Is red velvet cake just chocolate cake with food colouring?
No. It has much less cocoa than a chocolate cake and a light tang, which gives it a different, softer flavour.
Does red velvet cake have cream cheese in it?
The sponge doesn't. Cream cheese is the traditional frosting, but you can pair red velvet with any filling in our builder.
Can I get a red velvet cake delivered in London?
Yes. Build it with a red velvet sponge, then choose collection in Brockley or local delivery in the basket.