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Irresistible Red Velvet Turkey Cake Recipe Perfect for Thanksgiving

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A luscious red velvet cake dressed like a turkey, perfect as a centerpiece for your Thanksgiving dinner table. This festive dessert combines whimsy and indulgent flavors to create lasting holiday memories.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (310g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons (15g) cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons red food coloring
  • 16 ounces (450g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Fondant in orange, yellow, and brown
  • Gel food coloring (optional, for details)
  • Edible candy eyes
  • Toothpicks or skewers

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your cake pans. Line them with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, mix buttermilk, vanilla extract, and vinegar. Set aside.
  4. Using an electric mixer, beat sugar and vegetable oil until combined. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in the food coloring. Gradually add the dry ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, until fully incorporated.
  5. Divide the batter between the pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
  6. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until fluffy.
  7. Stack the cakes with frosting between layers. Shape fondant into feathers, beak, and other decorations, then attach them using toothpicks or skewers.
  8. Add candy eyes and any additional details. Chill until ready to serve.

Notes

[‘Don’t skip the vinegar—it helps activate the baking soda and enhances the red color.’, ‘Use room temperature ingredients for a smooth batter and even baking.’, ‘Chill the cake before decorating for easier frosting and shaping.’, ‘Work quickly with fondant to prevent it from drying out.’, ‘Experiment with colors using gel food coloring or natural dyes like beet juice.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: Thanksgiving, Red Velvet Cake, Turkey Cake, Holiday Dessert, Festive Baking

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/irresistible-red-velvet-turkey-cake-recipe-perfect-for-thanksgiving/