Description
Red Velvet Love Loaf is a soft, moist quick bread with a rich cocoa flavor and a vibrant red color, finished with a sweet cream cheese glaze. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, brunch, or gifting to someone special, this loaf combines classic red velvet flavors in an easy-to-make quick bread format.
Ingredients
Loaf
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
Cream Cheese Glaze (Optional)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan to ensure the bread releases easily after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, vegetable oil (or melted butter), eggs, vanilla extract, white vinegar, and red food coloring, stirring until everything is blended smoothly.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender crumb.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top evenly.
- Bake the Loaf: Bake in the preheated oven for 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This ensures the loaf is fully baked through.
- Cool the Loaf: Let the loaf cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then carefully remove it from the pan and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Glaze: While the loaf cools, whisk together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze the Loaf: Drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the cooled loaf, allowing it to drip down the sides for a beautiful, sweet finish. Slice and serve.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the loaf tender and light.
- You can substitute natural food coloring for red food coloring, but the color will be lighter.
- Store the loaf covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- This loaf freezes well without the glaze; add glaze after thawing for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
