Red Velvet Cake

Guide Note

A traditionally Southern dessert, red velvet cake had been made for most of the 20th century, but recently has surged in popularity, especially as a flavor for cupcakes and wedding cakes. This is a rich, sweet cake that has a deep reddish brown color. It usually has cocoa powder as an ingredient, but some recipes do without chocolate. Even when cocoa powder is one of the ingredients, the flavor is not dominated by chocolate. The signature red color is achieved by red food coloring, which doesn't affect the flavor.

Fast Facts

1. Red velvet cakes were popular in the 1950s
2. A more recent resurgence in popularity is linked to the film Steel Magnolias
3. The color is often enhanced by red food coloring or beets
4. Typical frosting is cream cheese icing

1. Buttermilk
2. Butter
3. Cake flour
4. Cocoa powder
5. Vinegar
6. Baking soda
7. Red food coloring
8. Butter Roux Icing or Cream cheese frosting