 |
Red Velvet is perfect for Valentine’s Day! Cream Cheese Frosting is a must, and the Cheesecake swirl adds a little extra something to the loaf.
You’re not tired of Red Velvet yet, right? Good. Because I need to sneak one last red velvet treat in before the big hearts and kisses holiday.
Seriously, though. Why is red velvet only a huge thing at Valentine’s Day? I don’t get it. I mean one, it’s good. Two, it comes with Cream Cheese Frosting most often. Three, other holidays have red in them. And four, cream cheese frosting!
Wait, I said that twice. Because it’s the best part, am I right?? Tell me I’m not the only one who has been caught, head over garbage can licking the cream cheese frosting off a red velvet cake at 9pm. Right? … Right??
**crickets**
We’ve already talked about why I don’t like to make red velvet cake from scratch. Cake mix is much preferable, as I reduce the likelihood of a red explosion all over my kitchen. So this cake is made from a cake mix, but with a twist: a cheesecake swirl. I love, love, love the combination of cheesecake and cake. I’ve done it several times, with carrot cake cupcakes, strawberry cupcakes, and even from-scratch red velvet cupcakes (possibly the source of my red kitchen). Plus, I’m a sucker for a swirl. Who isn’t?
The idea to make a cake in a loaf pan came from Averie. A few weeks ago she made a Carrot Cake Loaf and a lightbulb went off in my head. I had never thought to make a cake in two loaf pans, instead of in a traditional 9×13″ or other round cake pans. It was genius.
A standard sized cake (9″x13″) fits in two loaf pans. You can use a 9″x5″ and an 8 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ or two 9×5″. If you use two 9″x5″, your cakes will be flatter, but there will be too much batter for two 8 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ pans. Does that make sense? This cake shown was made in a 9″x5″ pan.
The cheesecake mixture is my go-to cheesecake. It has cream cheese and sour cream, which I love mixed together. Gently swirl it over the top of the loaf and you get a pretty loaf cake. And then…then you add frosting. Cream Cheese Frosting. The kind I would gladly take a bath in. If none makes it past your spoon to the cake, don’t blame me.
So, really, even if you are tired of Red Velvet by now…fit just one more in. You need this in your life, trust me.
Swirly cheesecake mixture…come to mama!
Ingredients
- 1 box red velvet cake mix, plus ingredients called for to make the cake
- (I used Duncan Hines and the cake mix called for 3 eggs, 1 1/4 cups water, and 1/3 cup oil.)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream, room temperature
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 ounces room temperature cream cheese
- 4 tablespoons room temperature butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2+ teaspoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour (or line with foil and spray wit cooking spray) two loaf pans. You can use two 9x5 loaf pans or one 9x5 and one 8 1/2 x 4 1/2.
- Mix up cake mix according to package directions, using egg, water, and oil called for on the box. Divide among your loaf pans.
- Beat cream cheese and sour cream in a stand mixer until smooth. You can use a hand mixer, but I find it is really hard to get all the lumps out that way! Beat in your egg, sugar, and vanilla and mix until smooth, although some lumps may remain. Evenly divide cheesecake mixture on top of each of your loaf pans. Drop spoonfuls of the cheesecake batter randomly over the top of the loaves. Using a butter knife or the back of a wooden spoon, swirl the cheesecake into the loaves. Be careful not to swirl too much or they will just blend (kind of like mine did...)
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely and then remove from pans.
- To make the frosting: mix butter and cream cheese until smooth with a hand mixer. Mix in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time. Add vanilla and 1 teaspoon heavy cream and mix until smooth. Add more cream, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired spreading consistency. (I used 2 teaspoons.) Store in refrigerator.
Like Red Velvet? Check these out:
Red Velvet Molten Lava Cupcake
Sweets from friends:
Red Velvet Cinnamon Buns by A Sweet Baker
I Heart You Poundcake by Making Memories
Red Velvet Nutella S’mores by Something Swanky
This post may be linked to: Chef in Training, Lil’ Luna, Buns In My Oven, Chic-and-Crafty, I’m Lovin’ it Fridays, Strut your Stuff Saturday, Weekend Wrap Up Party, Sundae Scoop Link Party, and all of these too!
|
Hi there! I’m Dorothy, the crazy gal behind the blog. If you didn’t already know, I’m crazy for crust…and cookies…and brownies…and pretty much
anything with sugar.
Okay, great minds do think alike…I’m making red velvet pancakes for dinner tonight (Shrove Tuesday)!
Susan recently posted..Chocolate Swirl~Cherry Scones
Um, I’m coming over for dinner, right?
Thanks Susan!
So glad you tried the loaf pan cakes like I’ve been doing! I love them and you sound like me in my post yesterday and the one last week…with the don’t try two 8×4 pans. A 9×5 and an 8×4 is what I find to be best, although I wish for symmetry two 9x5s would work, but one of each size I find optimal.
I love the tunnel of cream cheese! I had a pan-catastrophe in my 8×4 and 9×5 situation & only one of my blueberry loaves got that cute tunnel like your cake has. The other one was swirled
I bet your cake tastes soooo good!
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..Caramel Corn Chocolate Chip Cookies
I know, I hope it was followable! I don’t know why I love the idea so much, I mean, it’s still two cakes. But less frosting and you can freeze one!
OMG!
LOL, thanks Jenn!
I have been on a red velvet kick this week as well. Although honestly, I have no idea why red velvet is reserved just for Valentines Day. I would eat cream cheese frosting on everything if I could.
Nicole @ youngbrokeandhungry recently posted..Red Velvet Marble Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting
Me too! I say we make it all year, in different colors, ha!
Oh YUM! The added swirl is fantastic sounding. Happy Valentine’s Day coming up!
Tiffany recently posted..Viva Farmer’s Market! (Carrot and Pea Soup with Dumplings)
Thank you Tiffany! You too.
This looks like heaven! Totally craving a slice right now.
ashley – baker by nature recently posted..Couscous with Arugula Asiago Pesto and Herb Roasted Tomatoes
Me too! I wish I still had some!
Thank you!
Oh. my. cheesecake! THIS looks amazing!!
Thank you!
I’d be fighting you over the garbage for the frosting
Julie @ Julie’s Eats & Treats recently posted..Cinnamon Sugar
Hee hee…
Dorothy! This looks A M A Z I N G ! ! ! Thanks for sharing!!…now please excuse me while I wipe the drool of my keyboard
Brenda @ChattingOverChocolate.blogspot.com recently posted..Potsticker Cheddar Skewers
LOL, thanks Brenda!
yum, save me a piece, or the whole thing!
michelle recently posted..Molded Chocolate Cupcakes {Guest Post at The Southern Institute}!
I wish I could have shared it with you – would have saved me a pants size…
Thanks Dorothy for the shout-out to my Red Velvet Cinnamon Buns! Your loaf looks so moist, and with cream cheese – delicious!
Liz recently posted..Cranberry & Grapefruit Scones
Thanks Liz!
ooh, I never thought of red velvet loaf – I may have just enough red food coloring in the pantry:) LOVE the cheesecake swirl!
Heather @French Press recently posted..Chia Seed Pancake Muffins
Thanks Heather! I’m going to be making lots of cakes in loaf pans. I love the idea!
Ok I’m totally against using cake mix, but I will forgive you for that cheesecake swirl!
Carla recently posted..Deep Dish Hot Fudge Brownie Sundaes For Two
LOL, it’ll work with a from-scratch recipe too! I just like the ease of a mix.
This looks amazing! Red velvet is my absolute favorite. I just love the idea of making it in a loaf pan. Totally try that!
Jennifer @ Mother Thyme recently posted..Fruit Pizza
It’s so good Jennifer! I may have to make all my cakes this way from now on…
Oh my! This looks absolutely amazing! Please stop by and link this up with my “Try a New Recipe Tuesday!” I’d love to have you join us.
Lisa recently posted..Try a New Recipe Tuesday- February 12
Thanks Lisa!
Eek, this is kinda sorta gorgeous. And anything stuffed with cream cheese has an A+ vote from me
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel recently posted..Valentine Heart Chow
Thanks Hayley! Me too…
I can definitely fit all of these Red Velvet recipes in…… love me some Red Velvet!
Beautiful photos!
Emily ~SoDomesticated~ recently posted..Valentine Cupcake Surprise…
Thanks Emily!!
My mouth is actually watering…like, why don’t I have cake laying around at all times?
Yum. I eat red velvet all year long!
Kristin recently posted..Lists and concerns
I know, I wish that too. Well…at least the frosting…
I love cheesecake frosting! This looks soooo good!
Kristi @ My San Francisco Kitchen recently posted..Hot Cocoa Pancakes
Thanks Kristi!
Yum…that looks so tasty, and so colorfully pretty. And cheesecake frosting? SWOON.
Joyti recently posted..Embrace the Day
Thanks so much!
Oh that frosting. I was to just swipe my finger across the top!! YUM.
aimee @ shugarysweets recently posted..Toffee Chocolate Chip Valentine’s Day Cheeseball
ME TOO. And, um…I may have done just that!
I really do need to stop reading your posts in the morning, I spend all day thinking of eating when I do. Today is no exception.
sue @ cakeballs, cookies and more recently posted..Philadelphia Chocolate Cream Cheese Review
Ha! I know the feeling….
Oh my goodness! This red velvet loaf is stunning, and I KNOW it’s delicious!
Sue {munchkin munchies} recently posted..Special Delivery Cookies
Thanks Sue!
Cream cheese frosting is the best, so I am all over this cheesecake loaf!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction recently posted..Raspberry White Chocolate Streusel Bars
Thanks Jessica!
I love, love, love the cream cheese swirl! And you add an extra dose with a cream cheese frosting! This is definitely my kind of dessert. And no…you aren’t the only one who has licked the cream cheese frosting off of red velvet cake. It’s obviously the best part, so anyone who judges you for doing that is the strange one!
Elaine recently posted..Tasty Travels: Costa Rica
Ha, thanks Elaine!
Oh my. Soooooooooo delicious and rich looking. I would eat it all! BTW…thank you so much for pinning my Espresso Brownies last week. Your pin started a pinning frenzy on those guys and I got so many hits from it.
I have pinned several of your goodies as well. Take care Dorothy!
Really? That’s so great!!!
And thanks for your pins too. 
I never, never, never tire of red velvet! You might be right, it MAY have something to do with the cream cheese! I love the swirl and the frosting together! You have one lucky family this Valentine’s Day!!
tanya recently posted..Crab and Bacon Mac and Cheese
Thanks Tanya! But not really, since I made all the Valentine treats forever ago, lol.
This is phenomenal, Dorothy! And I could also bathe in cream cheese frosting!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips recently posted..Worcestershire Blue Cheese Volcano Burgers
Me too, totally!
I thought I’d seen red velvet made just about every way possible…until the loaf…I LOVE the Loaf!
The Partiologist recently posted..Bouquet of Kisses!
Me too, I’m addicted to loaves!
My kids would definitely take care of that loaf for you; especially my 7 year old. He’s a fanatic about pink and red baked goods!
He has good taste!
Thanks Julie!
I don’t think I could ever get fed up of red velvet!
This loaf cake is a fabulous idea – pinning!
Nicky @ Pink Recipe Box recently posted..Portobello Onion Ring Double Cheeseburger
I never would that’s for sure! Thanks Nicky!
pssssst, I secretly want to swipe all of that frosting. It looks amazing. Why aren’t we neighbors?!!!
carrian recently posted..Little Nuggets O’ Love
I know, right? We’d each be a gazillion pounds.
You had me at cheesecake
Brenda recently posted..Marshmallow Pops for Presidents’ Day
Thanks Brenda!
That looks like the best red velvet recipe that I have seen all month! Holy Cow! and it’s funny we are on the same line of thinking again I have Blueberry Cheesecake Bread posting tomorrow! Great minds think alike
: )
Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen recently posted..Chocolate Cherries Cookies
That sounds GOOD Chandra! Thank you!
Yes, red velvet is so popular now because of all of your above reasons…I just love how it is not intense chocolate and you still get cream cheese icing.
Meg @ Sweet Twist recently posted..Chocolate Oatmeal Cherry Scones
I mean, the icing is the whole reason behind it! LOL
When I decide to make anything velvet…I know where to look! everything looks so delicious
Daniela @frugal ain’t cheap recently posted..Multiply your plants/herbs for free
Thanks Daniela!
This loaf turned out gorgeous!!! I’m usually not a super huge fan of red velvet, but this is sooooo pretty–and with the cream cheese?!?! OMG.
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl recently posted..What’s In Your Kitchen Wednesday
I think the cream cheese frosting and the cheesecake is my favorite part.
Thanks for sharing this recipe. I love red velvet cake and anything made with cream cheese so I am sure it is just as delicious as it looks. If you get a chance stop by my blog Recipe for Life and check out some of my family favorite recipes.
Blessings,
Deborah H. Bateman-Author
Deborah H. Bateman recently posted..Creamy Crunchy Banana Nut Bread
Thanks Deborah!
Great recipe and easy to make. My husband shared it with his coworker and it was a hit!
Yay! I’m glad they liked it Joan!