Decadent Red Velvet Desserts

Red Velvet-Raspberry Tiramisu Trifle
Photo: Jim Franco

Everyone loves a seasonal sweet treat during the holidays. Knock everyone's Christmas-themed socks off by serving a red velvet dessert to die for. We love Grandma's best red velvet cake recipe with cream cheese frosting. There is a reason this Southern red velvet cake tradition has lasted for so many years – it's delicious! But, these bright red treats can be created in more ways than you may realize. Take your red velvet desserts beyond your best red velvet cake recipes this holiday with these delicious dessert ideas for Christmas. Make a red velvet confection into a tiramisu trifle, bake it in a savory cheesecake, or whip up red velvet fudge and package it as a holiday gift for friends and family. No matter which red velvet dessert recipe you pick or how you choose to serve it, one this is for certain – there won't be any leftovers!

01 of 17

The Red Velvet Cake

The Red Velvet Cake
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: The Red Velvet Cake

In 1989, an armadillo-shaped groom's cake in Steel Magnolias kicked off a cult following for red velvet. The craze has continued, fueled in part by the red velvet cakes that have graced the Southern Living Christmas cover three times.

02 of 17

Red Velvet Fudge

Sweet Valentine’s Day Treats Red Velvet Fudge
Alison Miksch

Recipe: Red Velvet Fudge

If you like red velvet cake, you'll love this fudge.

03 of 17

Red Velvet-White Chocolate Cheesecake

Red Velvet-White Chocolate Cheesecake
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Red Velvet-White Chocolate Cheesecake

Whimsy meets elegance in all five layers of this red velvet-white chocolate wonder.

04 of 17

Red Velvet Soufflés with Whipped Sour Cream

Red Velvet Soufflés with Whipped Sour Cream
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Red Velvet Soufflés with Whipped Sour Cream

These snazzy red velvet soufflés are not only eye catching, but drool-worthy desserts that will dazzle any dessert table.

05 of 17

Red Velvet Brownies

Red Velvet Brownies
Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Recipe: Red Velvet Brownies

Our red velvet brownies are a bite-size version of the classic cake. Top them with a decadent cream cheese frosting for the ultimate dessert.

06 of 17

Red Velvet Layer Cake

Red Velvet Layer Cake
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Red Velvet Layer Cake

This crimson layer cake is the way to anyone's heart, stacked tall for an even more impressive dessert.

07 of 17

Red Velvet-Raspberry Tiramisu Trifle

Red Velvet-Raspberry Tiramisu Trifle
Jim Franco

Recipe: Red Velvet-Raspberry Tiramisu Trifle

Make these sweet snowflake garnishes by tracing snowflake templates on wax or parchment paper with royal icing. Let them dry at room temperature and peel off.

08 of 17

Red Velvet Peppermint Cake

Red Velvet Peppermint Cake
Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Red Velvet Peppermint Cake

Swirled velvety red-and-white cake layers are topped with a sweet peppermint cream cheese frosting in this showstopping layer cake.

09 of 17

Red Velvet Cheesecake

Red Velvet Cheesecake
Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Red Velvet Cheesecake

An inspired marriage of two Southern favorites in one dessert, this velvety rich cheesecake is spiked with cocoa and baked in a dark chocolate crust.

10 of 17

Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

Red-Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

Making cookies with cake mix? Genius. This tactic not only gives you the tenderest texture, but the cookies save better than other recipes because of the higher oil content.

11 of 17

Mini Red Velvet Cakes

Mini Red Velvet Cakes
Southern Living

Recipe: Mini Red Velvet Cakes

There's nothing better for a luncheon or shower than easy-to-serve tiny desserts—not to mention these are beautiful!

12 of 17

Red Velvet-Berry Cobbler

Red Velvet-Berry Cobbler
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Red Velvet-Berry Cobbler

Cobblers are the prettiest, easiest way to showcase fresh summer fruit, and this colorful twist happens to be perfect for the Fourth of July or Memorial Day.

13 of 17

Red Velvet Cheesecake-Vanilla Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Red Velvet Cheesecake-Vanilla Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Red Velvet Cheesecake-Vanilla Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

With two layers of dreamy red velvet cheesecake sandwiching a soft layer of white cake, this stunning layer cake is the ultimate centerpiece for your holiday celebration.

14 of 17

Red Velvet Cake Balls

Red Velvet Cake Balls
Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Recipe: Red Velvet Cake Balls

If you're in a pinch before the school bake sale, this big-batch cake ball recipe uses boxed cake mix to save you time.

15 of 17

Molten Red Velvet Cakes

Molten Red Velvet Cakes, red velvet cake recipe
HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ

Recipe: Molten Red Velvet Cakes

Who wants to share dessert anyway? These decadent mini cakes can be prepped a day in advance to save you time the night you're serving.

16 of 17

Red Velvet Ice Cream Cake

Red Velvet Ice-Cream Cake
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Red Velvet Ice Cream Cake

This masterpiece is a labor of love, but one that's so worth the payoff. A tip from the Test Kitchen: Don't skip the step of adding unflavored gelatin to the icing—this will help to keep it from melting in the summer heat.

17 of 17

Beet Red Velvet Cupcakes

Beet Red Velvet Cupcakes
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling Torie Cox

Recipe: Beet Red Velvet Cupcakes

No one will believe these sweet treats get their red velvet hue naturally from beets—no food dye in sight!

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