Luxurious Red Velvet Nutella Swirl Cake

Short description
A sumptuous red velvet layer cake marbled with rich Nutella swirls and crowned with luscious cream cheese frosting—perfect for those craving a decadent, visually stunning dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Decadent flavor pairing: Classic red velvet meets hazelnut-chocolate goodness from Nutella.

Eye-catching presentation: Swirled interior makes each slice picture-perfect and festive.

Cream cheese frosting: Adds tangy creaminess that balances the sweeter components.

Great for gatherings: Feeds 12 slices—ideal for parties, birthdays, or elegant dinner desserts.

Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

Cake batter
2½ cups all‑purpose flour

1½ cups granulated sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cocoa powder

½ tsp salt

1½ cups vegetable oil

1 cup buttermilk, room temperature

2 large eggs

2 tbsp red food coloring

1 tsp white vinegar

1 tsp vanilla extract

¾ cup Nutella

Cream cheese frosting
1 cup unsalted butter, softened

16 oz cream cheese, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 °F (180 °C). Grease and line two 8- or 9‑inch round cake pans.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa, and salt.

In another bowl, combine oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla until smooth.

Add wet ingredients to dry, mixing until just combined.

Divide batter between the pans; in each pan, drizzle ⅜ cup Nutella in thin lines over the batter. Use a skewer or knife to swirl the Nutella into the red velvet batter.

Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean
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Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely .

While cakes cool, beat butter and cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla; beat until fluffy.

Stack the cooled layers with frosting between and around the sides. Use remaining frosting to top and complete the cake.

Servings and timing
Servings: About 12 slices
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Prep time: ~20 minutes

Bake time: 30–35 minutes
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Total time: ~1 hour 10 minutes
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Variations
Poke‑style version: Bake in a 9×13 pan, poke holes, pour melted Nutella mixture over the cake, and top with Nutella‑whipped cream
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Bundt cake form: Pour batter and Nutella filling in layers; bake 75 minutes at 325 °F, then glaze
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Espresso hint: Add a teaspoon of espresso powder to the batter for a subtle coffee undertone.

Nutella drizzle: Warm a bit of Nutella and drizzle over the frosted cake.

Nutty texture: Sprinkle chopped hazelnuts or walnuts between layers or on top.

Storage/reheating
Store cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days (cream cheese frosting requires chilling)
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To serve, let the cake sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes for best texture. Avoid microwaving to preserve frosting structure.

FAQs
What if I don’t have buttermilk?
Mix 1 Tbsp vinegar or lemon juice with enough milk to make 1 cup; let sit 5 minutes before using .

Can I use gel food coloring instead of liquid?
Yes. Use 2–3 Tbsp gel coloring for a deep hue; adjust based on desired color .

How can I tell when the cake is done?
A toothpick should emerge clean or with a few moist crumbs. The cake should spring back lightly when pressed.

Why swirl Nutella instead of mixing it in?
Swirling creates elegant marbled textures, ensuring pockets of rich flavor and visual appeal.

Can I frost the cake ahead of time?
Yes. Frosted cake can be stored in the fridge up to 5 days. Bring to room temp before serving.

Is it okay to freeze the cake?
Yes. Freeze unfrosted layers wrapped in plastic for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting and serving.

Can I omit red food coloring for a natural approach?
Yes—use beet powder for natural color, though shade and flavor may differ .

How do I avoid a dense cake?
Avoid overmixing after adding flour; overmixing develops gluten, leading to a heavier texture.

Why swirl through two pans?
Swirling in both gives each slice a beautiful pattern without overcomplicating the process.

Is this recipe suitable for birthdays?
Absolutely—its red and Nutella swirl aesthetic and creamy frosting make it perfect for celebration cakes.

Conclusion
This Luxurious Red Velvet Nutella Swirl Cake is both visually stunning and utterly indulgent. With its moist cake, marbled hazelnut-chocolate ribbons, and creamy frosting, it’s sure to impress at any gathering. Simple to make yet sophisticated in appearance, it’s a memorable dessert worth repeating. Enjoy a slice with a cup of coffee or at your next special occasion!

[tasty-recipe id=”15851″]