Monday, January 4, 2010

Red Velvet Cake

My eldest daughter wanted red velvet cake for her birthday. I have no idea where she came up with this notion; after all, I've never made nor even had such a thing. A great deal of research led me to the conclusion that it's a rather mild chocolate cake with a peculiar means of rising. Armed with that information, I created a cake recipe that they all enjoyed.

RED VELVET CAKE

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs

2 tbsp red food coloring
1 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp cocoa powder
2-1/2 cups sifted flour
1 cup buttermilk
1 tbsp white vinegar
1-1/2 tsp baking soda

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well combined, then beat in the red coloring, salt and vanilla; beat well. Stir together the cocoa powder and flour. Add half the dry mixture, followed by half the buttermilk, then the balance of each. Beat until well combined, and don't use the mixer beyond this point! Pour the vinegar into a measuring cup, then add the baking soda. Quickly pour this into the cake batter, and stir it in with a rubber scraper. Pour into either two 9" layer pans, or a 9x12 sheet cake pan. Bake approx. 30 minutes for the layers (I think) or 35 to 38 for the sheet cake. Frost with white frosting after the cake has completely cooled.
I know that red velvet cake is "supposed to be" a layer cake, but here in my little corner of the world, birthday cakes are sheet cakes. It's the law. So, here you have it: a nonconformist red velvet cake.

There is a lot of color in this cake, and it's rather shocking when it comes out of the oven. Every recipe I found called for at least twice the red coloring I put in, but this worked out fine for me. It's not a hard cake to make, once you realize that the leavening is a little unconventional. Try it the next time you want a cake people will remember!

13 comments:

SissySees said...

I've never been inclined to even taste a red velvet cake. I didn't realize it was a little different than many other conventional cakes. Thanks for the insight - and the photos!

Lapdog Creations said...

Oh I love red velvet cake... yum!

Kapitein Haakje said...

ooh that see so yummy!! :D

kissslobbers
El'bow & Hauwii

Chronicles of Dolliedaydream said...

Yuuum please post me a slice Marjie :0) I tried to do red velvet cupcakes over Christmas but they unfortunately came out more cat sick pink. Apparently I need to invest in some red food paste rather than the liquid colouring. I am inspired now to have another go x

The Blonde Duck said...

I've made several red velvet cakes and never tasted any. I think it's just for folks who like fancy chocolate cake.

noble pig said...

It's amazing how much coloring right...like 2 bottles. Yours was red without it...looks awesome.

Shelby said...

non conformist or not....I bet it was still delicious! Happy Birthday to your daughter!

monica said...

wow, what a great colour! My girls 12 year birthday is coming up - you're giving me good ideas..:o) Happy birthday to your girl.

Mickle in NZ said...

Such a brilliant colour, it looks to have a lovely light texture. Hope you've passed the recipe onto you beautiful eldest daughter.

I'll have to work on a smaller "mickle sized" version - it looks soooo good.

Work veri is "grinfim" - kinda postive, if only I knew what a fim was!

Christo Gonzales said...

never made one but I have had red velvet cupcakes - eating red food (besides beets and radishes) is the same as eating blue food (besides blueberries) seems weird.

~~louise~~ said...

WOW! I bet your daughter just LOVED it!!!

I'd love to get to a post about Red Velvet Cake. I don't think it always contained food coloring like the modern versions do. I think it may have "turned" red from the reaction of the cocoa with other ingredients. I must do some research:)

In the meantime, yours looks GREAT and I like the idea of a sheet cake. I made a Sock-It-To-Me-Cake last night. I think this awful weather was my inspiration. Thanks for sharing, Marjie:)

buffalodick said...

Looked real good to me! A pretty, tasty cake for this time of white, black, and gray winter..

Nishant said...

Thanks for the insight - and the photos!

Work from home India