Name: Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: ½ cup butter (softened); 1 cup sugar; 2 eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; ½ cup Greek yogurt; ¼ cup milk; 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons cocoa powder; 2 teaspoons red food coloring; 2 cups powdered sugar; ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

This Copycat Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf recipe nails the velvety texture and signature swirls, topped with a rich, creamy icing that’s simply irresistible. Whether you’re craving a sweet morning treat or an afternoon pick-me-up, this loaf will make your day a bit more special with each slice.

Two slices of Copycat Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf with red and yellow swirls, topped with white icing, are served on a white plate with a striped cloth underneath. — Copycat Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf. Photo Credit: My Reliable Recipes

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Every time I throw together this Copycat Starbucks Red Velvet Marble Cake, it’s always so delicious. The taste is spot-on—a perfect balance of cocoa and vanilla, swirled with that iconic red hue. I love it for a cozy morning treat or as a sweet finale to a lazy brunch. And honestly, there’s something about that creamy icing on a crisp autumn day that just feels right. If you love a slice of indulgence with your coffee, this loaf is sure to win you over!

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

Various baking ingredients labeled in bowls and cups on a white surface, perfect for making a Copycat Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf—includes flour, cocoa powder, heavy whipping cream, Greek yogurt, eggs, butter, milk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. — Copycat Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf Ingredients. Photo Credit: My Reliable Recipes

How to Make Copycat Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf

I love making this Copycat Starbucks Red Velvet Cake Loaf–it’s always a hit! Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of turning your kitchen into a Starbucks bakery.

Mixing It Up

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C) so it’s ready to go. Then, in a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and sugar until they’re light and fluffy. This is the base of your loaf, so make sure it’s well mixed!

Adding More Wet Ingredients

Next, add in the large eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, yogurt, and milk. Beat these in until the mixture is smooth. You can do this in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment if you have one handy.

Incorporating the Dry Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add these dry ingredients to your wet mix, blending until just combined to keep the batter nice and tender.

The Red Velvet Swirl

Now for the fun part! Divide your vanilla batter into two bowls. In one, mix in the unsweetened cocoa powder and red food coloring until you get that classic red velvet color. Leave the other as is for a lovely contrast.

Creating the Swirl

Pour the vanilla cake batter into a parchment paper-lined loaf pan first, then alternate it with your red velvet mix. Use a butter knife to swirl the two together artistically—don’t mix too much, just enough to create beautiful marbling.

A loaf pan with cheesecake batter swirled with raspberry sauce, reminiscent of a copycat Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf, lined with parchment paper on a marble surface. — Pour the vanilla batter into a lined loaf pan, then alternate with the red velvet mix. Bake for 30-45 minutes.

Baking

Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 30-45 minutes. The key is to bake it until a toothpick inserted comes out clean but not dry.

Cooling and Icing

Once baked, let the loaf cool completely. While waiting, whisk together powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, and vanilla extract to make your icing. Drizzle this over the cooled loaf for that perfect Starbucks touch.

Enjoy!

Remove the loaf from the pan, slice it up, serve, and enjoy!

A slice of marbled red velvet and vanilla cake with cream cheese frosting rests on a plate atop a striped cloth. It's a deliciously tempting copycat Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf that promises to satisfy your sweet cravings.

Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf Recipe

Mandy Applegate

This Copycat Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf recipe nails the velvety texture and signature swirls, topped with a rich, creamy icing that's simply irresistible. Whether you’re craving a sweet morning treat or an afternoon pick-me-up, this loaf will make your day a bit more special with each slice.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 375 kcal

Ingredients

½ cup butter softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup Greek yogurt
¼ cup milk
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 teaspoons red food coloring

For the Icing:

2 cups powdered sugar
⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer whip together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
½ cup butter, 1 cup sugar
Whip in the eggs, vanilla extract, yogurt and milk.
2 eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, ½ cup Greek yogurt, ¼ cup milk
In another bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt.
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt
Mix the dry ingredients into the wet.
Separate the batter evenly. To one portion of batter add the cocoa powder and red food coloring.
2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons red food coloring
Alternate the batters into a parchment lined loaf pan. Using a butter knife swirl the batters together.
Bake for 30-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Set aside to cool completely.
Make the icing. Whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract. Pour the icing over the loaf.
2 cups powdered sugar, ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Remove from pan and slice to serve!

Notes

Butter Temperature: Make sure your butter is really at room temperature to get that fluffy, creamy texture right.

Mixing: When adding eggs, do it one at a time and beat well after each to incorporate air into the batter, which helps make the loaf light and tender.

Swirl Not Stir: When creating your swirls, use a gentle hand. Over-mixing can muddy those lovely distinct layers you’re aiming for.

Check Doneness: Ovens can vary, so start checking your loaf at the 30-minute mark to avoid overbaking. A toothpick should come out clean but with a few moist crumbs attached.

Cool Completely: Patience is key! Let the loaf cool completely before icing to prevent the icing from melting into the bread and making it soggy.

Coloring: If you’re not a fan of food coloring, the loaf will still taste delicious without it. Or try a natural alternative like beet powder for color.

Storage Instructions

Room Temp: Once it’s completely cooled, pop it into an airtight container. This will keep it moist and delicious for up to 3 days at room temperature.
Fridge: If you’re not planning on eating it right away, you can also wrap individual slices and freeze them. Just thaw at room temperature or give them a quick zap in the microwave for a just-baked taste anytime you need a sweet treat.

Nutrition

Calories: 375kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 5gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 308mgPotassium: 84mgFiber: 1gSugar: 45gVitamin A: 458IUVitamin C: 0.05mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1mg

Keyword copycat starbucks red velvet loaf

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Recipe Notes and Tips

I’ve got some insider tips to make this cake recipe even more spectacular:

Butter Temperature: Make sure your butter is really at room temperature to get that fluffy, creamy texture right.
Mixing: When adding eggs, do it one at a time and beat well after each to incorporate air into the batter, which helps make the loaf light and tender.
Swirl Not Stir: When creating your swirls, use a gentle hand. Over-mixing can muddy those lovely distinct layers you’re aiming for.
Check Doneness: Ovens can vary, so start checking your loaf at the 30-minute mark to avoid overbaking. A toothpick should come out clean but with a few moist crumbs attached.
Cool Completely: Patience is key! Let the loaf cool completely before icing to prevent the icing from melting into the bread and making it soggy.
Coloring: If you’re not a fan of food coloring, the loaf will still taste delicious without it. Or try a natural alternative like beet powder for color.

How to Store Leftover Copycat Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf Cake

Once it’s completely cooled, pop it into an airtight container. This will keep it moist and delicious for up to 3 days at room temperature.

If you’re not planning on eating it right away, you can also wrap individual slices and freeze them. Just thaw at room temperature or give them a quick zap in the microwave for a just-baked taste anytime you need a sweet treat.

What to Serve With Copycat Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf

A hot cup of coffee is a classic choice—its bitterness complements the sweet, creamy frosting beautifully. For tea lovers, a black tea with hints of vanilla can enhance the loaf’s flavors wonderfully.

And if you’re feeling indulgent, why not a glass of cold milk or hot chocolate? It’s like being a kid again, only better because you made the treat yourself!

Copycat Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf

Ingredients You’ll Need