Red velvet cake is one of those desserts that instantly feels like a celebration. Its velvety texture, subtle chocolate taste, and tangy cream cheese frosting have made it a favorite for birthdays, weddings, and festivals across Nepal.

Whether you’re baking at home or looking for the best cake shop in Kathmandu, this Award Winning Cake Recipe guide will walk you through everything from ingredients to decoration, baking tips, and storage.

Looking to order instead of baking? You can explore Ganesh Pauroti’s Cake collection for beautiful designs and price options in Nepal.

Why do Nepalis love Red Velvet?

Red velvet’s velvety texture and soft tender crumb make it a favorite for weddings and birthdays across Nepal. Its signature Red Velvet Cake Color can come from a small amount of red food color or natural dye like beetroot juice; historically the batter’s reaction (buttermilk + cocoa) also produced a reddish tint.

Ingredients (for two 8-inch round layers)

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour (or cake flour for a lighter crumb). (All-Purpose Flour / Cake Flour)

• 1½ cups granulated sugar

• 1 tsp baking powder and 1 tsp baking soda (Baking Powder, Baking Soda)

• 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa / cocoa powder (Unsweetened Cocoa, Cocoa Powder)

• 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar as a substitute) (Buttermilk, Vinegar)

• 2 large eggs (or eggless substitutes below)

• ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)

• 2 tsp vanilla extract (Vanilla Extract)

• 1-2 tbsp red food color (gel) or natural dye (Red Food Color / Natural Dye)

• A pinch of salt

For Cream Cheese Frosting

• 250g cream cheese, softened (Cream Cheese Frosting)

• 100g unsalted butter, softened

• 3-4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

(Alternative: classic Ermine Frosting for an old-school white finish.) 

  Quick notes before you begin

• Preheat the oven to 175°C / 350°F (Oven Preheating, Baking Temperature).

• Use two 8-inch Cake Pans, greased and lined with parchment (Cake Pans).

• This recipe uses the Mixing Method (Creaming Method) for a stable, airy sponge. (Mixing Method (Creaming Method), Airy Sponge)

Step-by-step: Make the batter (Creaming Method)

1. Prep: Preheat oven, line pans, sift dry ingredients (flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt). (Oven Preheating)

2. Cream: In a mixer, beat oil (or butter) and sugar until combined, then add eggs one at a time; add vanilla extract. (Mixing Method (Creaming Method))

3. Wet + dry: Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry. Mix until just combined,  overmixing ruins the soft tender crumb. (Soft Tender Crumb, Moist Texture)

4. Color & lift:Fold in red food color (or beetroot extract) and a splash of vinegar with a half-teaspoon of baking soda,  the mild acid helps create that slight tangy flavour and tenderizes the crumb. If you’re curious about why this reaction matters

5. Bake: Divide batter between pans, bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean (Baking Time). Let rest for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. (Cooling The Cake)

Pro tip: If you want the subtle chocolate taste to come through, use natural (no-Dutched) cocoa.          Dutch-processed cocoa is darker but less reactive with buttermilk.

Frosting & assembly (two easy options)

• Cream Cheese Frosting (modern favorite): Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, add powdered sugar and vanilla. Spread between layers and around the cake. (Cream Cheese Frosting, Frost / Frosting)

• Ermine (Cooked Flour) Frosting: For a less tangy, more old-fashioned finish, try ermine frosting cooked flour and milk to create a stable, silky frosting that looks classic white. (Ermine Frosting)

Layer the cakes (Layer Cake), crumb-coat, chill briefly, then final coat. Use a small offset spatula and gentle strokes for a velvety finish. (Velvety Texture, Cake Decoration)

Red Velvet Cake Designs & Decoration Ideas

• Classic: Smooth cream-cheese finish with fresh strawberries or walnuts.

• Elegant: Naked layers with exposed sides and a piped border.

• Festive: Use edible gold dust or Nepali style floral toppers for weddings and festivals. (Red Velvet Cake Designs, Cake Decoration)

Eggless Version & Substituting Ingredients

Baking Tips – small things that matter

• Always preheat the oven; even a slight temp change affects rise. (Oven Preheating).
• Use room-temperature eggs and dairy for an even batter.
• Don’t overmix,  stop as soon as flour streaks disappear for an airy sponge. (Airy Sponge)
• If color fades during baking, a small amount of gel color keeps the hue without affecting texture. (Red Velvet Cake Color)

Cooling, Storage of Cake, and serving

Let layers cool completely (Cooling The Cake), then assemble. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, cream cheese frosting needs refrigeration. For longer storage, freeze un-iced layers wrapped tightly for up to 2 months (Storage Of Cake).

Buying Red Velvet in Kathmandu

If baking isn’t your thing, you can buy Red Velvet Cake from the best cake shops in Kathmandu. For example, Ganesh Pauroti offers a variety of designs, and you can check their prices online:

• Red Velvet Cake 1 Pound – starting from Rs. 1000
• Customized wedding cakes and special layer cake designs

Other Nepali bakeries also showcase cake varieties  for festive occasions.

• Red Velvet Cake 1 Pound – starting from Rs. 1000
• Customized wedding cakes and special layer cake designs

Other Nepali bakeries also showcase cake varieties  for festive occasions.

Final thoughts making it feel like home

This Award Winning Red Velvet Cake Recipe is perfect for home bakers or anyone looking to order a cake for a special celebration. Its moist texture, velvety crumb, and tangy frosting make it a crowd favorite. Whether baking at home with these easy steps or ordering from a cake shop in Kathmandu, your celebrations will be sweeter and more memorable.

For more inspiration on cake decoration and baking science, check resources like King Author Baking. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is Ganesh Pauroti?

Ganesh Pauroti is a popular bakery in Nepal known for its delicious and freshly baked goods.

2. Where is Ganesh Pauroti located?

Ganesh Pauroti has multiple outlets across Nepal. You can find the nearest one by visiting their official website or contacting their customer service.

3. What products does Ganesh Pauroti offer?

They offer a wide range of bakery items, including bread, pastries, cakes, and snacks.

4. How can I place an order?

Orders can be placed through their official website, mobile app, or by visiting the nearest outlet.

5. Do they offer home delivery?

Yes, Ganesh Pauroti provides home delivery services in select areas. Check their website or app for availability in your location.