The Best Red Velvet Cake with Sourdough Starter

Made with an active sourdough starter, The Best Sourdough Red Velvet Cake is full of flavor and depth. It is tangy with hints of vanilla and cocoa, coated with cream cheese, and decorated with chopped pecans. Who said dessert had to be boring?

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This fermented red velvet cake is easier to digest, healthier, and delightful.

It’s truly a classic and knowing me, I had to put my own little spin on it. Adding sourdough starter in the mix allowed me to accomplish what I thought was impossible. I figured I could achieve the same sour and tangy taste without the use buttermilk. And behold, I was right!

This red velvet cake is easy and simple to make. All you have to do is let your grains ferment overnight.

After putting everything together, the cake is ready in 20 minutes. After coating with the cake with your homemade cream cheese frosting and pecans (or walnuts), It’s time to enjoy this beautiful cake.

It’s perfect for your Valentine’s day themed dinner, a wonderful Juneteeth celebration of freedom, or any day of the week. Let’s get baking.

How long will this Red Velvet Cake With Sourdough Starter last?

• The red velvet cake will last about 3 days on the counter in an airtight container.
• In the fridge the cake will last about 5 days

Tools needed for success:

• wooden mixing spoon
• cake pans
• measuring cup
• ramekins
• mixing bowl

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup sourdough starter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon finely ground coffee (or espresso)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons red food coloring
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

How to make the Best Red Velvet Cake with Sourdough Starter:

The Night Before

Combine flour, oil, sourdough starter, apple cider vinegar, and milk into a large bowl.

Mix well and cover with cling wrap (leave a little gap for air to circulate) or tea towel. Let ferment about 8 to 12 hours.

The Next Day

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a medium bowl, combine cocoa powder, finely ground coffee, sugar, and baking soda. Mix together.

In a separate bowl, mix together eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and red food coloring with a handheld mixer until just combined.

Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture with a wooden spoon and stir until mixed.

Scoop the fermented dough into the previous mixture with a wooden spoon. Stir until the red velvet cake mix is uniform in color. Pour into cake pan greased with butter.

Place in oven for 20-22 minutes. Check the cake at 20 minutes with a knife. You will know the red velvet cake is done when you insert the knife and it comes out clean.

Let the cake cool on a baking rack for a few minutes. Remove from the pans and cool further on the rack.

Layer the red velvet cake with sourdough starter with cream cheese frosting, decorate with pecans, and enjoy!

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Need more Sourdough Desserts?

• Super Rich Sourdough Brownies Recipe
• Remarkably Delicious Apple Pie Recipe
• Sourdough Pineapple Upside Down Cake

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