Red Velvet Cheesecake

Treat yourself with a slice (or two) of this divine Red Velvet Cheesecake. Tender red velvet cake sandwiches creamy cheesecake for the ultimate dessert pairing. Based on the Cheesecake Factory's decadent version, this unforgettable cheesecake recipe is perfect for Valentine's Day, date night in, or just because. 

I have made my share of red velvet desserts over the years, but this red velvet cheesecake truly stands above the rest. Moist red velvet cake layered with creamy cheesecake all wrapped up in a velvety cream cheese frosting… What more could you want?!?

Cheesecake Factory Copycat Recipe

This beauty originated at the Cheesecake Factory, where all incredibly decadent cheesecakes are born into existence. 

For a long time, Oreo cheesecake reigned supreme for me, then I tried some different varieties and crowned the Snickers cheesecake as my favorite. It's been many years since we've had a slice from there, but my husband has an old standby favorite - the red velvet cheesecake. It is a four-layered dessert, with two layers each of red velvet cake and creamy cheesecake, all covered in cream cheese icing. I was so excited to make my own homemade version finally!

A previous version of this cheesecake recipe featured all four layers, but slicing a cheesecake in half horizontally isn't the easiest, so I've streamlined and simplified the recipe. If you want to go the full four-layer route, double the cheesecake layer, and once it has been chilled, slice it in half horizontally and alternate layers with the red velvet cake.

Important Ingredients

While many of the ingredients for the cake and cheesecake are pantry and refrigerator staples (flour, sugar, eggs, etc.), there are a few important ones to make note of:

For the Cheesecake

• Cream Cheese – For the cheesecake layer. Use full fat cream cheese to ensure the cheesecake is rich and creamy.
• Heavy Cream – This softens the texture of the cream and cheese and adds a little moisture. It is sometimes also called heavy whipping cream. You can substitute half and half or whole milk if necessary.

For the Cake Layers

• Cocoa Powder – Use unsweetened, natural cocoa powder here. We want to avoid Dutched since it has already been alkalized.
• Vinegar - The reaction of the vinegar with the buttermilk helps to pull out the red hue in the cocoa powder. For this recipe, we use white vinegar, but you could also substitute apple cider vinegar.
• Buttermilk - Using soured milk is a key component of red velvet cake batter, as the acidic liquid is needed to combine with the baking soda and cocoa powder to get the rise and texture right. You can substitute sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.
• Baking Soda - This works magic with cocoa powder and buttermilk to get a beautiful rise and tender crumb.
• Red Food Coloring - We want to boost that beautiful red color! If you prefer to use gel food coloring, substitute 1 teaspoon gel food coloring and add about 1 tablespoon of water.

How to Make Red Velvet Cheesecake

Now on to the cheesecake… this really isn't terribly difficult, just a little time-consuming. It helps to spread the work out over a couple of days, and then it's easy breezy.

The Cheesecake Layer

To start, you will want to make the cheesecake first to ensure it sets and cools in time. I would plan to make the cheesecake layer at least one day in advance. Here is the cheesecake-making process:

Step #1: Spray a 9-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper (pre-cut parchment rounds are so handy for things like this!).

Step #2: Beat the cream cheese, sugar, flour, and salt until the mixture is creamy with no lumps. Add the heavy cream and vanilla, then the eggs, one at a time.

Step #3: Pour the filling into the pan and bake until the cheesecake is set and does not jiggle (40 to 55 minutes). Remove from the oven and cool for an hour on a wire rack. Once at room temperature, place in the freezer for 3 hours, or overnight.

The Red Velvet Cake Layers

Red velvet cake often gets written off as just a red chocolate cake, but it is SO much more than that. With a slightly acidic taste coming from the buttermilk and the white vinegar, this unique cake truly stands alone. The cocoa powder is actually subdued a bit by the acidity of the buttermilk and vinegar, leaving a very mild chocolate flavor.

For this recipe, I doubled the recipe for my Red Velvet Cupcakes and used the batter to make two 9-inch cake rounds. A quick overview:

Step #1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, then grease two 9-inch cake pans, line the bottoms with parchment paper, grease the parchment paper, and then coat the pan in flour, tapping out any excess.

Step #2: Using a stand mixer or a large bowl with a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together, then add the egg and beat until well incorporated.

Step #3: In a separate bowl, combine the cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and red food coloring, which will make a thick paste. Add it to the batter and mix until combined.

Step #4: On low speed, alternate adding the buttermilk and flour, then beat on high until smooth.

Step #5: On low speed again, add the salt, baking soda, and vinegar. Beat on high until the mixture is completely combined and smooth. 

Step #6: Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans and bake for about 30 minutes or until a thin knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then remove the cakes from the pans and place on a cooling rack to cool completely.

Note: You can also use a red velvet cake mix and prepare according to the package directions for two 9-inch cake layers.

Cream Cheese Frosting

I use my favorite cream cheese frosting to cover this beautiful dessert:

Step #1: Beat the butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt with an electric mixer on low until smooth. Then mix for an additional 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed.

Step #2: Increase the speed to medium-low and add the cream cheese, one piece at a time, and mix until smooth. Then mix for an additional 2 minutes.

Assembling the Cheesecake

Now that you have all of the components made for this decadent cheesecake, let's get it put together:

• Level the tops of the cakes if necessary, then place one cake layer on a serving platter.
• Remove the cheesecake from the freezer and remove the sides of the springform pan. If the cheesecake is wider than the cake layers, use a sharp knife to gently shave off some of the sides of the cheesecake so it is the same width as the cake layers.
• Place the cheesecake layer on top of the first cake layer, then place the second cake layer on top of the cheesecake layer, upside-down., and then frost the whole thing with the cream cheese frosting.

Decorate and Serve

After frosting the cake, you have a blank canvas for decorating. Some ways you can spice up the look of this cake are to:

• Pipe the edge with a shell border and fill the center with red velvet cake crumbs. For a tutorial on shell borders, check out this example from Wilton.
• You can use red velvet cake crumbs to press on the side of the cake.
• Top the finished cake with shaved white or dark chocolate!
• Press red or pink sprinkles into the sides of the cake, or garnish the top with them.

When you are ready to serve, dish out your slices as is or with a side of whipped cream.

Make-Ahead Instructions

This is a perfect dessert to make ahead of time! Each of the components can be made in advance, and the whole red velvet cheesecake is best when chilled for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.

• Cheesecake Layer: This can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil, and frozen for up to 3 months.
• Cakes: Once the cakes have cooled, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• Frosting: This can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. 

How to Store the Finished Red Velvet Cheesecake

Keep this cheesecake in an airtight container (or wrapped in plastic wrap) in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.

Freezing Instructions

This freezes very well! You can freeze any or all of the components, or freeze the entire assembled cheesecake:

• To Freeze the Cake Layers: Allow the cakes to cool completely and then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Move the wrapped cakes to the refrigerator the night before you plan to use them.
• To Freeze the Cream Cheese Frosting: The cream cheese frosting can be kept in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight; allow to come to cool to room temperature, and then stir vigorously with a rubber spatula before spreading or piping.
• To Freeze the Whole Cheesecake: Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and then cover it with foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. You can also wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a ziploc freezer bag and thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

More Red Velvet Recipes You Must Try

• Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Easy Red Velvet Poke Cake
• Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
• Creamy Red Velvet Ice Cream
• Red Velvet Roll Cake

If you make this red velvet cheesecake recipe and love it, remember to stop back and give it a 5-star rating - it helps others find the recipe! ❤️️

Photography by Dee Frances

The original recipe was published in February 2012.