Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake Recipe – A Perfect Dessert for Any Occasion

Posted onDecember 13, 2025

Author: David Tag

In this article, we’ll dive into how to make the perfect Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake, a delicious twist on the classic red velvet cake with a rich cream cheese filling. Whether you’re planning a special event or just looking to impress with a stunning dessert, this Bundt cake is sure to satisfy.

Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake close-up

Table of Contents

Ingredients for Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

To create the perfect Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake, it’s important to have the right ingredients. Below, you’ll find a list of essential ingredients for the cake batter, the cream cheese filling, and a few substitutes if you have dietary preferences or need to work with what’s available in your pantry.

Key Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk (or substitute with milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring (gel or liquid)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (to thicken)

Substitute Ingredients for Dietary Preferences

Gluten-Free Option: Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures 1:1.
Dairy-Free Option: Swap the buttermilk with a non-dairy milk, such as almond or coconut milk, and use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative for the filling.
Egg-Free Option: You can substitute the eggs with flaxseed meal (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water = 1 egg equivalent) or a store-bought egg replacer.

Having these ingredients on hand will ensure that your Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake turns out perfectly. You can also get creative by experimenting with variations such as adding chocolate chips to the batter or using a flavored cream cheese filling.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

Now that you have all your ingredients ready, it’s time to get started on creating this delightful Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake. This process is straightforward, but it does require a bit of patience to ensure the cake is perfectly baked and the cream cheese filling is smooth and delicious. Follow these detailed steps to make your cake:

Preparing the Cake Batter

Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your Bundt pan thoroughly with butter or non-stick spray, and lightly dust with flour to prevent sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed and helps avoid clumps.
Combine Wet Ingredients:
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, vanilla extract, white vinegar, and red food coloring. Mix until the ingredients are well combined and the batter is smooth.
Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense cake. The batter should be smooth, with no lumps.

Making the Cream Cheese Filling

Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture:
In a medium-sized bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until it’s light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and flour, and mix until smooth and well-combined. This will create a creamy filling that holds its shape during baking.

Red Velvet Cake batter and cream cheese filling

Assemble the Cake:
Pour half of the red velvet cake batter into the prepared Bundt pan, spreading it evenly. Then, drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese filling on top of the batter, leaving a small gap from the edges. Finally, pour the remaining cake batter over the cream cheese filling, smoothing it out to cover the filling completely.

If you’re a fan of red velvet, you might also enjoy this Red Velvet Cheesecake Recipe for a rich and creamy twist on the classic.

Baking and Assembling the Bundt Cake

With the cake batter and cream cheese filling assembled in your Bundt pan, it’s time to bake! The key to a successful Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake lies in baking it at the right temperature and for the correct amount of time, ensuring that the cake cooks evenly without overbaking or underbaking.

How to Properly Grease Your Bundt Pan

Before you pour the batter into the Bundt pan, it’s crucial to grease it properly to ensure that the cake doesn’t stick. Here’s how to do it:

Butter or Oil the Pan: Use either butter or cooking spray to coat the inside of the Bundt pan. Make sure every crevice is well greased, including the center tube.
Flour the Pan: After greasing, lightly dust the pan with all-purpose flour, tapping out any excess. This will create a barrier that prevents the cake from sticking, ensuring that it comes out perfectly when it’s ready to serve.

Tips for Baking the Perfect Red Velvet Bundt Cake

Bake at the Right Temperature: Place your Bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 50-60 minutes. Start checking around the 50-minute mark. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
Avoid Opening the Oven Door Too Early: Don’t open the oven door in the first 30 minutes of baking, as this can cause the cake to collapse. Let the cake rise and bake undisturbed for the best results.
Cooling the Cake: Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. After that, carefully flip the pan onto a wire rack to cool completely. If you’ve greased and floured the pan well, the cake should come out easily.

Decorating and Serving Suggestions

Once your Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake has cooled, it’s time to elevate its visual appeal and flavor with a few simple yet elegant decorating techniques. The beauty of a Bundt cake is that it has a naturally stunning shape, so the decorating doesn’t need to be overly complicated. Here are some ideas to make your cake shine:

Simple Ways to Decorate Your Red Velvet Bundt Cake

Cream Cheese Glaze:
A light drizzle of cream cheese glaze can add a smooth finish to your cake. To make the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, cream cheese, and a bit of milk until it’s pourable but still thick enough to coat the cake. Drizzle it over the top of the cooled Bundt cake, letting it flow down the sides.
Garnish with Fresh Berries or Edible Flowers:
Fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries can provide a burst of color and a tangy contrast to the sweetness of the cake. If you’re feeling extra fancy, top the cake with edible flowers for a sophisticated touch.
Chocolate Shavings or Sprinkles:
For added texture and flavor, you can sprinkle chocolate shavings or colored sprinkles over the cake. Dark chocolate works particularly well, as it balances the richness of the cream cheese filling.
Powdered Sugar Dusting:
A simple dusting of powdered sugar over the top of the cake can give it a beautiful finish. This works especially well if you want to keep the decoration minimal and let the vibrant red color of the cake shine.

Decorated Red Velvet Bundt Cake with fresh berries

How to Serve and Pair with Beverages

This Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake is perfect for a variety of occasions and can be served in a variety of ways:

As a Dessert:
Serve the cake as the grand finale to a meal. It pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk. For a more festive touch, serve it alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
For Special Occasions:
Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, a birthday, or a holiday gathering, this cake is ideal. The vibrant red color makes it a great centerpiece for any table, and the creamy filling will have guests coming back

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Red Velvet Bundt Cake

While the process of making a Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake is fairly simple, there are a few common mistakes that can affect the outcome. Avoiding these pitfalls will help you achieve a light, moist, and flavorful cake every time. Here are some key mistakes to watch out for:

Overmixing the Batter

One of the most common mistakes when baking cakes is overmixing the batter. While it’s important to thoroughly combine the wet and dry ingredients, mixing the batter too much can cause the cake to become dense and tough. The key is to mix the ingredients until they are just incorporated, being careful not to overwork the gluten in the flour.

Tip: Stir the batter gently and stop as soon as there are no visible streaks of flour. A few small lumps in the batter are fine.

Underbaking or Overbaking the Cake

Baking time can vary depending on the size of your Bundt pan and the oven, so it’s crucial to check your cake periodically to avoid underbaking or overbaking it.

Underbaking: If your cake is underbaked, the texture will be soggy, and the center may remain uncooked. Always perform the toothpick test (insert a toothpick into the center of the cake, and it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs).
Overbaking: On the other hand, overbaking can lead to a dry cake. Keep an eye on the baking time, and avoid opening the oven door too early to ensure the cake rises evenly.

Tip: Begin checking your cake at 50 minutes, and keep checking every 5-10 minutes until the cake is done.

Not Properly Greasing the Bundt Pan

If your Bundt pan isn’t greased properly, the cake may stick to the sides, making it difficult to release once it has cooled. Bundt pans have intricate designs, so it’s important to use enough butter or oil, followed by a dusting of flour.

Tip: After greasing, tap the pan to ensure the flour is evenly distributed before adding the batter.

Using Low-Quality Food Coloring

The deep, vibrant red color of Red Velvet Cake comes from the food coloring. If you use a low-quality food coloring or an insufficient amount, the cake may turn out more brown than red, which can affect both the appearance and the overall experience.

Tip: Use a high-quality gel food coloring for the best results. Gel food coloring tends to give the cake a deeper, more consistent color without affecting the cake’s texture.

Not Letting the Cake Cool Properly

It’s tempting to cut into the cake immediately after it comes out of the oven, but doing so may cause the cake to collapse or lose its shape. It’s important to allow the cake to cool in the pan for a few minutes and then transfer it to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Tip: Let the cake cool for at least 10 minutes in the pan before flipping it onto a wire rack.

For another delicious cream cheese treat, check out this Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish that combines fresh fruit with smooth cream cheese for a delightful pastry experience.

Variations on Red Velvet Bundt Cake

While the classic Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake is delicious on its own, there are many ways to put a unique spin on it. Whether you’re looking to try something new or customize the cake to suit your personal taste, here are a few variations to consider.

Red Velvet with Chocolate Chips

If you’re a chocolate lover, adding chocolate chips to the cake batter is a great way to boost the flavor. The semi-sweet chocolate chips will melt slightly during baking, creating pockets of rich chocolate throughout the cake.

How to Add: Simply fold ½ cup of mini chocolate chips into the cake batter just before pouring it into the Bundt pan. Be sure to coat the chips with a bit of flour before adding them to the batter to prevent them from sinking to the bottom.

Add Different Fillings for a Custom Touch

The cream cheese filling is a highlight of this recipe, but you can switch it up by adding other fillings. Here are a few ideas for a twist on the traditional cream cheese:

Nutella Filling: For a chocolatey twist, substitute the cream cheese filling with Nutella. This will give your Bundt cake a rich, hazelnut-chocolate flavor that pairs wonderfully with the red velvet base.
Fruit Filling: Add some fresh fruit, such as mashed strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries, to the filling. The tartness of the fruit balances the sweetness of the cake and gives it a refreshing twist.
Whipped Cream Filling: For a lighter filling, you can opt for a whipped cream filling. Whisk heavy cream with a bit of powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, and then swirl it into the center of the cake.

Mini Red Velvet Bundt Cakes

If you’re short on time or prefer individual servings, mini Red Velvet Bundt Cakes are a perfect alternative. They bake more quickly and are great for parties, weddings, or special occasions where guests can take home their own personal-sized treat.

How to Make: Simply use a mini Bundt cake pan instead of a large one. The baking time will be reduced to about 20-25 minutes, so check them earlier to avoid overbaking.

Red Velvet Bundt Cake with Frosting

For an extra decadent dessert, top your Red Velvet Bundt Cake with frosting instead of glaze. A traditional cream cheese frosting works best with the flavors of the cake, but you can also go for a simple buttercream or even whipped cream cheese frosting for a lighter finish.

How to Frost: After the cake has cooled completely, spread a generous amount of frosting over the top. You can either cover the entire cake or leave the sides exposed for a more rustic look.

Storing and Freezing Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

Once you’ve baked and enjoyed your Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake, you might find yourself with leftovers or wanting to make the cake in advance. Proper storage and freezing techniques will ensure that your cake stays fresh and delicious for longer. Here’s everything you need to know about storing and freezing this decadent dessert.

How to Store Your Bundt Cake

If you’re not ready to serve the cake immediately, storing it properly will help retain its moisture and flavor. Here are the steps for storing your Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake:

Cool the Cake Completely: Before storing, let your Bundt cake cool completely at room temperature. This prevents condensation from forming, which can make the cake soggy.
Wrap in Plastic Wrap: Once the cake has cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent air from drying it out. Make sure to cover the entire cake, including the top, sides, and bottom.
Store in an Airtight Container: Place the wrapped cake in an airtight container or a large resealable plastic bag. This will help preserve its freshness and prevent it from absorbing any odors from the refrigerator.
Refrigeration: If you’ve used cream cheese in the filling or frosting, the cake should be stored in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about 4-5 days when properly stored in the fridge.

Can You Freeze Red Velvet Bundt Cake?

Freezing your Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake is an excellent option if you want to make it ahead of time or keep leftovers for later. Here’s how to freeze the cake properly:

Cool the Cake: Just like when storing, make sure the cake has completely cooled before freezing. Freezing a warm cake can cause condensation, leading to a soggy texture.
Wrap the Cake Well: Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, making sure it is fully covered to prevent freezer burn. You can also wrap it in aluminum foil for added protection.
Place in a Freezer-Safe Bag or Container: After wrapping the cake, place it in a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container. This will help protect the cake from absorbing any odors in the freezer.
Freeze for Up to 3 Months: The cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. To defrost, simply move the cake from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. For faster thawing, you can leave it at room temperature for a few hours.
Freezing Individual Slices: If you prefer to freeze individual slices, wrap each slice in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag. This allows you to defrost only the amount you need at any given time.

Tips for Refreshing Frozen Bundt Cake

After freezing, the cake might lose a bit of its original texture. Here’s how to bring it back to life:

Reheat in the Oven: If you want to serve it warm, place the defrosted cake in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes. This will help restore its moisture and freshness.
Serve with Fresh Glaze or Toppings: Adding a fresh glaze, frosting, or berries can elevate the flavor and make the cake taste as good as when it was first baked.

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Conclusion

The Red Velvet Cream Cheese Bundt Cake is an indulgent, eye-catching dessert that combines the rich flavor of red velvet with the creamy goodness of a cream cheese filling. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth, this cake is sure to impress. From the simple yet effective steps in making the batter to the careful assembly and delightful decorating options, this recipe offers both versatility and elegance.