Mile High Red Velvet Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze ❤️🎂
If you’re looking to impress a crowd or treat yourself to something truly decadent, this Mile High Red Velvet Pound Cake is everything. It’s bold in color, rich in flavor, and so moist it practically melts in your mouth. Finished with a smooth cream cheese glaze that drips perfectly over its signature ridges, this is not your average pound cake — it’s a celebration in Bundt form.
Why I Love This Recipe
This cake combines the best parts of Southern baking — buttery richness, a velvety crumb, and the signature red hue of classic red velvet. It’s a towering beauty with a texture so plush, it’s worth every minute of bake time. The sweetened condensed milk adds unmatched moisture, while the vinegar and baking soda work their magic to keep it light and airy despite its density.
It’s the kind of dessert that commands attention like This Big Family Banana Pudding or Grasshopper Pie — a total showstopper.
🧾 Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup shortening
- 2¾ cups granulated sugar
- 6 large eggs
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp red food coloring
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- ½ tsp baking soda
For the Cream Cheese Glaze (Optional but highly recommended):
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2–3 tbsp milk (for drizzling consistency)
🧁 Step-by-Step Directions
1️⃣ Preheat and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Grease and flour a 12-cup Bundt or tube pan thoroughly. This cake rises tall, so make sure your pan can handle the volume.
2️⃣ Cream the Butter & Sugar
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, shortening, and granulated sugar for about 5 minutes, until light and fluffy.
3️⃣ Add Wet Ingredients
- Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, vanilla, cocoa powder, and red food coloring. Stir until smooth and well-blended.
4️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix.
5️⃣ Activate & Finish
- Stir in the vinegar and baking soda last. This helps activate the lift and gives that signature velvet texture.
6️⃣ Bake
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 80–90 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 15–20 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
7️⃣ Make the Glaze
- In a small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Drizzle over the completely cooled cake.
👨🍳 Tips for Success
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure a smooth batter.
- Don’t skip greasing every crevice of your Bundt pan — this is key to a clean release.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before glazing to avoid melting the topping.
- For an even richer red, use gel food coloring.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
This cake is rich enough to stand on its own, but here are some fun pairing ideas:
- Serve a slice with a side of Easy Coconut Macaroons for texture contrast.
- Make it part of a Southern dessert spread with Old-School No-Bake Cookies.
- Want a seasonal touch? Pair it with Caramel Apple Pie Cookies during fall celebrations.
🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Store tightly covered at room temp for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5.
- You can freeze the unglazed cake (wrap tightly) for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and glaze before serving.
- Glaze can be made ahead and stored in the fridge — just re-whip before using.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Looking for classic Southern sweets? Don’t miss this Big Family Banana Pudding.
- Try a playful, chilled dessert like Grasshopper Pie for contrast after serving this cake.
Final Thoughts
The Mile High Red Velvet Pound Cake is bold, rich, and ready to steal the spotlight. With its moist crumb, vibrant red hue, and indulgent cream cheese glaze, it’s the dessert equivalent of putting on your Sunday best.
Tried it? Tag your bakes and show us how high your velvet cake rose. And don’t forget to follow for more sweet, Southern-inspired baking ideas!
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