10 Store-Bought Red Velvet Cakes, Ranked According To Reviews
Everyone loves cake, and it seems like red velvet cake is always at the top of the list. It could be the unique tangy flavor, which comes from the combination of buttermilk and vinegar used in the recipe. Or maybe it's the vibrant crimson color, a fun surprise hidden beneath a thick layer of traditional cream cheese icing.
Red velvet cake originally got its name from the dark red color that resulted when dark cocoa powder was combined with yellow buttermilk. This reddish hue made the cake special but was hard to replicate. In the early 1900s, a Texas man named John Adams started selling red food coloring, and marketed his red velvet cake recipe to the masses. With his new food coloring, bakers were able to achieve a radiant red color every time. Thanks to John Adams and his company, Adams Extract, red velvet cake has become one of Texas's most iconic cake flavors.
While almost everyone loves cake, not everyone is a baker or has time to make a cake from scratch when the need arises. Today, we have a plethora of delicious, high-quality, pre-made cake options available at our fingertips. But, with so much choice how do you know which is the best one? Well, we've done the work for you. So, here are 10 of the best store-bought red velvet cakes, ranked according to customer reviews. We used customer feedback on aesthetics, texture, flavor, and value to rank these cakes.
10. Target's Favorite Day Gourmet Double Red Velvet Cake
Everyone loves a trip to Target! It's a one-stop shop for groceries, home décor, the latest clothing trends, and pet supplies. They've also got you covered if you're ever in need of a red velvet cake. The Gourmet Double Red Velvet Cake is a product of Target's food and beverage brand, Favorite Day, which specializes in sweet and savory treats.
Customers agree that Target's red velvet cake option is gorgeous. With its cream cheese icing and chocolate drizzles on top, it's one of the prettier cakes we researched. One reviewer appreciated the flavor, noting that it was true to the recipe and had "a slightly tangy finish to it. Just as it should be!" Another reviewer mentioned that it was a great option if you were in a bind and needed a cake quickly, and with a $15 price point, this cake is one of the more affordable options.
This cake didn't top the list, though, because it was repeatedly reviewed as being too dry and lacking flavor. One reviewer even said, "The cake's appearance was promising, but that was the only positive aspect of this purchase. The moment we tried to cut into it, the cake crumbled apart as if it had been sitting out for days."
9. Member's Mark Red Velvet Cake from Sam's Club
One of the consistently highest-rated cakes we found was the Member's Mark Red Velvet Bundt Cake at Sam's Club. With nearly 300 reviews, customers rave about the affordability, flavor, and size of this cake (it serves 18 people, and reviewers mentioned its generous size).
One five-star review claimed, "This cake is everything that you imagined and more. It is extremely moist and unbelievably flavorful. If you love red velvet like I do, you must try this cake. I've bought several over the last few months and it does not disappoint."
At less than $15, this cake is budget-friendly and perfect for feeding everyone at big events and celebrations. Sam's Club recommends serving it with a glass of milk or tea for the perfect dessert combo.
Sam's Club has nearly 600 locations around the United States and Puerto Rico. So, this red velvet bundt cake may be one of the most convenient store-bought options available.
8. Kroger's Bakery Fresh Goodness Double Layer Red Velvet Cake
Securing the top spot on our list is Kroger's Bakery Fresh Goodness Red Velvet Cake. You can find Kroger in 35 states, but if you don't have a Kroger near you, you can find it at one of their affiliated stores, such as Ralphs or Dillons.
Kroger's cake is one of the most aesthetically pleasing cakes on our list. This stunning red velvet is drizzled in chocolate, coated in cream cheese icing, covered in a sugar glaze, and then sprinkled with vibrant cake crumbles. This cake is special just the way it is, but if you want to make it really fancy, Kroger recommends adding a whipped cream topping.
One reviewer said, "Absolutely THE best Red Velvet cake I've ever bought from a grocery store bakery. It was SO moist and delicious." Kroger's cake is also one of the more affordable options, serving 12 people and costing around $17. Between the pretty presentation, low cost, and overall quality and flavor of this cake, it's our clear winner.
7. Walmart's Freshness Guaranteed Red Velvet Cake
Walmart is well-known for providing its customers with affordable options, and its Freshness Guaranteed Red Velvet Cake is no exception. This cake serves 10 people and has a price point of just $11.98, making it an appealing choice for feeding a large group. Aside from the price, though, this cake falls flat with Walmart shoppers.
Walmart claims this is a "decadent, moist cake that has a velvety red interior, and a rich cream cheese filling and frosting." Although it may be nice to look at, unfortunately, reviewers repeatedly called it "disappointing." Customers consistently mentioned that the icing was dry or fell off when the cake was cut. And, several people mentioned that it isn't a true red velvet recipe. Instead of the traditional tangy taste red velvet fans love, this cake just tastes like traditional chocolate.
Another reviewer elaborated by saying, "A true red velvet cake is not chocolate cake with red food coloring. Natural cocoa has a lot of acidities and works well with the baking soda and buttermilk. This is why someone who has had a true red velvet cake would taste the Walmart version and be disappointed."
6. Kroger's Bakery Fresh Goodness Red Velvet Bundt Cake
It might be hard for someone with a sweet tooth to relate, but some people just don't like thick icing on their red velvet cake. So, for those people, Kroger's Bakery Fresh Goodness Red Velvet Bundt Cake is an excellent option. But, if you miss the icing and want more sweetness in your life, Kroger recommends pairing this cake with ice cream.
This red velvet bundt cake skips the traditional (and often heavy) cream cheese icing in favor of a refreshingly light alternative, a delicate sugar glaze. One reviewer said, "This cake is soooooo moist!! All red velvet I've ever eaten has been dry, but not this one."
This cake is also one of the most affordable options on this list, costing less than $9. With its vivid hue and minimalist icing approach, it is perfect for those in search of a cost-effective option that doesn't compromise on style.
5. Tom Thumb Bakery's Cake 8 Inch 2 Layer Red Velvet
Described succinctly as a "great cake" by one reviewer, the eight-inch, two-layer red velvet cake from Tom Thumb is a lot of fun. While the previous cake in this list spared the icing, this cake features generous dollops of the stuff and is dusted with red velvet cake crumbs. The vivid red hue of the cake's layers contrasts with the smooth, cream-colored icing, making it not only a feast for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes.
Tom Thumb's cake is also ready to feed a crowd. An eight-inch cake can feed anywhere between 12-16 people, depending on the size of the slices. This particular cake is $18.99, which is a modest price for a cake designed to feed a dozen or more people. It's also handmade in the Tom Thumb bakery, which adds to the cake's freshness and appeal.
4. Dutch Apron Bakery's Red Velvet and Cream Cheese Filling Cake Roll
Originally called Dutch Country Apple Dumplings, Dutch Apron Bakery started when one man, Andy Hamsher, started a bakery to sell his fresh apple dumplings and decadent cake rolls to the local public. In 2016, Dutch Apron Bakery expanded its horizons, supplying its regionally renowned cake rolls (and a variety of other delicious confections) to supermarkets across the nation.
The Dutch Apron Bakery Red Velvet & Cream Cheese Filling Cake Roll is available at a variety of retailers, including Dillon's and King Sooper's. Because they are made with fresh ingredients, these cake rolls must be kept cool and are found in the refrigerated section of your grocery store. Dutch Apron Bakery red velvet cake rolls are freezer-friendly and can be frozen for up to a year before they are enjoyed. They are bright, beautiful, and affordable at less than $10 each.
The vivid scarlet color makes these cake rolls fun for the holidays, from the Fourth of July to Valentine's Day to Christmas, and everything in between. It's not the color that keeps people coming back, though. One Kroger shopped commented on Facebook, "You will think they are homemade, not store bought. So delicious!"
3. Rubicon Bakers' Vegan Red Velvet Cake
If you're looking for a vegan cake option, Rubicon Bakers has you covered. Not only do they bake a mean vegan cake, but Rubicon Bakers is a company with a mission, too. For more than 30 years, they have been providing employment opportunities to people who need a second chance. They provide jobs, at their California-based bakery, to individuals who have experienced difficulties in finding employment due to, for example, incarceration or substance abuse disorders.
The Rubicon Bakers Vegan Red Velvet Layer Cake is decadent and stunning, with bright white vanilla icing and brilliant red cake crumbs on the outside of the cake. And, for people with a vegan diet who may find it difficult to locate delicious, store-bought treats, the search could be be over. But, you don't need to be vegan to appreciate the flavor in this cake.
One customer described it as a "Fun little cake I picked up at Whole Foods. This Red Velvet cake has two layers with white vanilla frosting. The frosting is firm, almost like the consistency of chocolate. The flavor is vibrant. The frosting is loaded with sugar. #veganisnotscary"
The Rubicon Bakers red velvet cake is available in Whole Foods, Sprouts, Vons, and several other large retailers around the country. Because this is the only vegan option on the list, it is well-reviewed and is available at many locations around the United States, it easily made the top five on this list.
2. The Father's Table Shelf Stable Red Velvet Cake Roll
Different types of cake have different recommended guidelines for how long they stay fresh after baking. Because red velvet cake traditionally uses cream cheese icing, it needs to be stored properly in the refrigerator and can be expected to stay good for three to four days after baking. The cream cheese icing is one of red velvet's selling points, but it's also why you need to eat it within a few days of baking it. However, if you have a hankering for red velvet cake but won't be able to eat it in the next few days, Father's Table has a Shelf Stable Red Velvet Cake Roll that customers are raving about.
A Florida-based company, The Father's Table prides itself on baked goods that are free of high fructose corn syrup. Their desserts are also OU-D kosher certified, making this the only kosher-certified cake on the list.
The Father's Table cake is available at retailers across the country, including Safeway, Albertson's, and HEB. Along with being easy to find, providing a kosher option, and having a longer shelf life than most cakes, this red velvet roll is also a fan favorite. One Facebook reviewer said, "Your Red Velvet Cake Roll is the best," and another called it "a little taste of Heaven!
1. Target's Favorite Day Bakery Red Velvet Petit Fours
While Target's full-sized red velvet cake option fell flat, with reviewers being unhappy about its dryness and overall lackluster flavor, Target found a way to redeem itself with its much-loved Favorite Day Bakery Red Velvet Petit Fours. These elegant, bite-sized treats easily made the top of the list, with 75 reviews and an almost perfect five-star rating.
Originally developed to complement a fancy afternoon tea, a petit four is a small, bite-sized treat that originated in France. The phrase "petit four" means "small oven," which might be how they were originally prepared.
These bite-sized cubes of deliciousness are filled and iced with vanilla buttercream. With a light dusting of red sprinkles on top, these treats have a clean, classic look. They're also inexpensive, costing just $3.99, and available at Target stores around the country.
One reviewer who left five stars said, "I purchased these for a tea party along with two other flavors. They are super cute and convenient. They tasted great as well. So much cheaper than going to a bakery without losing quality. I will definitely buy them again."
With their affordable price point, pleasing aesthetic, and good reviews, Target's red velvet petit fours are a surefire way to satisfy your red velvet craving. They didn't make the top spot, though, because of their small size. While they're perfect for eating alone or sharing with a friend, they aren't the best option for feeding a crowd.
Methodology
We used customer reviews to rank these cakes. We took into account appearance, flavor based on customer reviews, price, and availability. We also looked at whether or not a cake was true to a traditional red velvet cake recipe.