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Red Velvet Turkey Cake Recipe – Easy Holiday Showstopper

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A festive and whimsical turkey-shaped red velvet cake that’s perfect for Thanksgiving or holiday gatherings. Rich, moist, and surprisingly easy to make.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 2 tbsp red food coloring
  • 8 oz (226g) cream cheese
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Assorted candy (e.g., candy corns, licorice, chocolate-covered pretzels)
  • Fondant
  • Food-safe markers (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth.
  4. Mix in the buttermilk and red food coloring until fully incorporated.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix!
  6. Stir in the white vinegar and divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
  7. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
  10. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until the frosting is fluffy.
  11. Mix in the vanilla extract and set aside.
  12. Level the cooled cakes with a serrated knife and stack them with a layer of cream cheese frosting in between.
  13. Carve the stacked cake into a rounded turkey shape. Don’t stress—it doesn’t have to be perfect!
  14. Apply a crumb coat of frosting to seal in loose crumbs. Chill for 30 minutes.
  15. Spread a final layer of frosting over the cake, smoothing it with an offset spatula.
  16. Use fondant to create the turkey’s head, beak, and eyes. Attach them to the front of the cake.
  17. Decorate the ‘tail feathers’ using candy and other edible decorations. Be creative!

Notes

[‘Ensure eggs, butter, and cream cheese are at room temperature for easier mixing.’, ‘Don’t overmix the batter to keep the cake fluffy.’, ‘Chill the cake before carving and frosting for cleaner results.’, ‘Use an oven thermometer to ensure accurate baking temperature.’, ‘Be creative with decorations; candies or cookies can be used instead of fondant.’, ‘Bake the cake layers a day in advance to save time.’]

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/red-velvet-turkey-cake-recipe-easy-holiday-showstopper/