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Perfect Aries Red Velvet Birthday Cake Recipe with Easy Ram Horns Fondant Topper

Aries red velvet birthday cake - featured image
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A classic red velvet birthday cake with smooth cream cheese frosting and a creative ram horns fondant topper, perfect for astrology-themed celebrations and Aries birthdays.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour, 2 ½ cups (315g)
  • Granulated sugar, 1 ½ cups (300g)
  • Cocoa powder, unsweetened, 1 ½ tablespoons (12g)
  • Baking soda, 1 teaspoon (5g)
  • Salt, ½ teaspoon (3g)
  • Buttermilk, 1 ½ cups (360ml), room temperature (or dairy-free milk mixed with 1 tablespoon vinegar)
  • Vegetable oil, 1 cup (240ml)
  • Eggs, 2 large, room temperature
  • White vinegar, 1 tablespoon (15ml)
  • Vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons (10ml)
  • Red food coloring, 2 tablespoons (30ml) gel
  • Cream cheese, 16 oz (450g), softened
  • Unsalted butter, ½ cup (115g), softened
  • Powdered sugar, 4 cups (480g), sifted
  • Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon (5ml)
  • A pinch of salt
  • White fondant, 8 oz (225g)
  • Black gel food coloring
  • Edible gold dust (optional)
  • Cornstarch or powdered sugar for dusting
  • Water or edible glue

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line with parchment paper.
  2. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
  3. Whisk buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, white vinegar, vanilla extract, and red food coloring in a large bowl until smooth.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low with an electric mixer until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Divide batter evenly between pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  6. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks to cool completely.
  7. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
  8. Level cakes if domed. Spread a generous layer of frosting on the first layer, place second cake on top. Apply a thin crumb coat over entire cake and chill for 30 minutes.
  9. Add a thick, even layer of frosting over crumb coat. Smooth with an offset spatula. Chill again while preparing fondant topper.
  10. Knead white fondant until pliable. Tint portions with black gel food coloring for marbled effect or paint details later.
  11. Roll fondant into long ropes and twist into horn shapes. Attach ends to form curled ram horns using water or edible glue. Let dry 1-2 hours.
  12. Place ram horns gently on top of cake. Optionally dust with edible gold dust. Chill cake for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

If frosting is too soft, chill for 10 minutes before spreading. Knead fondant well to avoid cracks; add a tiny bit of shortening if cracking occurs. Chill between frosting layers for neat finish. Fondant topper can be made a day ahead and stored airtight.

Nutrition

Keywords: red velvet cake, Aries birthday cake, ram horns fondant, cream cheese frosting, astrology cake, birthday cake, easy red velvet

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/perfect-aries-red-velvet-birthday-cake-recipe-with-easy-ram-horns-fondant-topper/