Red Velvet Dip
Perfect for any red velvet fan, this easy cake dip tastes just like the iconic dessert. Decorate it with fun sprinkles and customize it with fruit and cookies!
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Table of Contents
- About Red Velvet Dip
- But wait, what is red velvet?
- Do you need to bake the red velvet cake mix?
- Can you use out of date cake mix?
- Can you make this dip in advance?
- What to serve with this dessert dip?
- how long can you leave out a dessert dip?
- Can you make this dip in advance?
- How long is red velvet dip good for?
- Can you freeze red velvet dip?
- Notes & tips for this red velvet cake batter dip
- Other lovely red velvet recipes
- More fun dessert dips
- How to make red velvet dip
- Recipe Details
About Red Velvet Dip
If you’re looking for an easy treat to serve your guests, dessert dips are always a hit. And when it comes to holidays with vibrant colors, this red velvet dip is an easy fit for any kind of party or celebration.
Plus, if you’re a red velvet fan like I am, this dip is a great way to quickly cure a sweet tooth craving.
I may have been known to whip up a batch of this dip to enjoy while binge-watching Netflix.
By myself.
All weekend.
And you know what?
It was glorious.
But wait, what is red velvet?
Red velvet is thought to have originated in Maryland in the early 20th century. The “velvet” part of the name comes from the uniquely smooth texture when baked (typically from a combination of buttermilk, butter, cocoa powder, vinegar, and four) and the red color is due to the chemical reaction between the cocoa and the acid (the vinegar, in this case). True red velvet has more of a brick-like red hue, so it’s quite common for food coloring to be added to make the red more vibrant and obvious.
Many people may tell you that red velvet either does not have a taste or that it only tastes like chocolate. And, truthfully, they’re not “wrong” – red velvet does have cocoa powder in it – but it’s a much smaller amount than what you’d find in a typical chocolate cake, making the flavor much more subtle. The best way to describe red velvet’s flavor is somewhere between vanilla and chocolate.
This particular recipe uses a red velvet cake mix, so thankfully, you’ll still get a hint of that true red velvet flavor without having to worry too much about the ingredients involved.
Do you need to bake the red velvet cake mix?
Although it’s rare to become ill from consuming flour, it is considered a raw ingredient, so for proper food safety, the red velvet cake mix should be cooked before consumption because it includes flour.
To bake the red velvet cake mix: Spread the make mix out on a baking sheet and bake it for five minutes at 350 degrees F.
Can you use out of date cake mix?
If you’re anything like me, the best recipe ideas seem to strike you when you’re not up for leaving the house and you’re left raiding your cupboards for options. And while you’re scavaging, you’re bound to run across something that looks fine but has a date that’s long since passed.
That’s just what happened to me lately while I was hunting for cake mix.
So, when it comes to expired cake mix, what do you do? Are you able to make use of it or not?
To start with, make sure that the cake mix you have has recently been properly stored. This means that it was in a cool, dry place, and that either the seal is still intact or that it’s been stored in a sealed container since it was opened.
Once you confirm the storage, check the date printed on the package. Cake mix is typically good four to five months beyond the “best by” date.
In case you have a product that’s older than this, I would not recommend utilizing it for something like a dip. If you’d like to read more about the concerns of expired cake mix, check out this article.
Can you make this dip in advance?
Certainly one of the most frequent questions I get about dessert dips is whether or not you can make them in advance. I realize why someone would want to do this, as it can be much easier to prepare treats for a party the night before than scrambling to get everything done the day of the big event.
The good news is that the answer to this question is almost always yes. However, each dip has its own factors to consider based on the ingredients.
In the case of this red velvet cake dip, the ingredients you want to be careful of would be the butter, cream cheese, and milk (if used).
Butter and cream cheese okay to refrigerate, but dairy can be tricky to freeze. Due to this, I do not recommend freezing this dip.
To refrigerate this dip: Put dip in a container and secure with a lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to two days. Before serving, allow dip to soften at room temperature for about 1 hour.
What to serve with this dessert dip?
When it comes to these sweet dips, the fun part is deciding what to serve with it. There are so many options to choose from.
Below are some of my best suggestions. Feel free to try one (or as many) as you like!
- Nilla Wafers
- Pretzels
- Sugar Cookies
- Graham Crackers
- Cubes of pound cake
- Golden Oreos
- Ladyfinger cookies
- Oreos
- Pretzels
- Gingersnap Cookies
- Crumbled waffle cones
- Cinnamon Tortilla Chips
- Fruit
how long can you leave out a dessert dip?
Just like any appetizer, you should keep track of how long your dessert dip has been sitting out at room temperature.
For most foods, the general guideline is that a perishable item should not be in the “danger zone” for more than two hours. And by “danger zone”, this means usually at or just above room temperature. Since this is the temperature the dip will be served at, it should sit out no longer than two hours.
Once your dip has reached its maximum serving time, move it back to the refrigerator to chill. If the guests still want more dip, let it chill for at least thirty minutes before taking it back out again.
Can you make this dip in advance?
One of the most common questions I get about dessert dips is whether or not you can make them in advance. I totally understand why someone would want to do this, as it’s easier to prepare treats for a party the night before than scrambling to get everything done the day of the event.
The good news is that the answer to this question is almost always yes. BUT, each dip has its own considerations depending on the ingredients.
For this red velvet dip, the ingredient you want to be careful of is the cake mix.
Once added, the cake mix will continue to absorb any moisture in the dip, causing it to thicken a little over time. This recipe doesn’t include a ton of moisture, so you should be okay – but it never hurts to be prepared. If you find that the dip has become thick, you can whisk in some milk (anywhere from one to three tablespoons) to help get the consistency right.
Overall, this dip can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Allow the dip to soften at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, then test the consistency (and adjust as needed) as mentioned above.
How long is red velvet dip good for?
Once prepared, this red velvet cake dip can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
When ready to serve, allow the dip to soften a bit at room temperature. If the dip seems too firm, try mixing a tablespoon of milk (up to a maximum of three tablespoons).
Can you freeze red velvet dip?
Once prepared, dip can be stored in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to one month.
Before serving, allow dip to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then allow dip to soften at room temperature. If dip seems too firm, try mixing a tablespoon of milk (up to a maximum of three tablespoons).
Notes & tips for this red velvet cake batter dip
- For this recipe, I highly recommend using a stand mixer or a hand mixer. This isn’t a recipe you can make by hand with a whisk.
Other lovely red velvet recipes
More fun dessert dips
How to make red velvet dip
This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.
Step 1 – Using a stand mixer or hand mixer + medium bowl, whip together the cream cheese and butter.
Step 2 – Add the red velvet cake mix, powdered sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and red food coloring to the bowl, then mix well. If the mixture seems too thick, add a tablespoon or two of milk to help soften it.
Step 3 – Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, then decorate the top with sprinkles and surround it with cookies.
Step 4 – Serve and enjoy!
Red Velvet Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring, optional
- 2 tablespoons milk, optional
- sprinkles, optional
- cookies for dipping
Instructions
- Food Safety Step: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread red velvet cake mix out on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Allow cake mix to cool completely before using.1 1/2 cups dry red velvet cake mix
- Using a stand mixer (or a hand mixer + medium bowl), whip cream cheese and butter on medium-high until smooth and fluffy, about 2-5 minutes.8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- Drop speed to medium and slowly add in the dry red velvet cake mix, powdered sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and red food coloring (optional) until combined. Finish by increasing mixer speed to medium-high; mix until dry cake mix is fully incorporated and there are no more clumps. If dip seems too thick, try adding up to 1-2 tablespoons of milk, thoroughly mixing between each addition.1 1/2 cups dry red velvet cake mix, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring, 2 tablespoons milk
- Transfer dip to a serving bowl and decorate with sprinkles if desired.sprinkles
- Serve dip immediately with cookies of your choice for dipping.cookies for dipping
Nutrition
I do my best to provide nutrition information, but please keep in mind that I’m not a certified nutritionist. Any nutritional information discussed or disclosed in this post should only be seen as my best amateur estimates of the correct values.
