Red Velvet Cake

Name: Red Velvet Cake
Yield: makes 8 to 10 servings
Ingredients: 4 teaspoons cocoa powder; 2 ounces red food coloring; 2 cups cake flour; 1 teaspoon table salt; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 2 teaspoons distilled vinegar; 1 cup shortening, at room temperature; 1 cup sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 cup buttermilk; 2 teaspoons vanilla; Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows); 16 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature; 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 1 pound powdered sugar, sifted; 2 to 3 teaspoons vanilla (optional); (makes 5 1/2 cups)

December 9, 2011

If you’ve ever seen the fabulous movie Steel Magnolias, you’ll remember the running gag of a groom’s cake in the shape of a giant armadillo that “looks like it’s bleeding to death”! Until I saw that movie, I had no idea I could produce my favorite color in a cake. I left the theater determined to uncover the secret—which is, of course, red velvet cake. It’s a deep red cake with velvety texture and a subtle flavor of cocoa hidden under snow white, vanilla-laced, cream cheese frosting. The armadillo shape is optional.

Recipe notes

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