Red Velvet Cake

The most iconic of all cakes is the classic red velvet cake – moist, fluffy and topped with a dreamy cream cheese frosting. While some believe that it’s simply a white cake dyed red, there is more to this dessert than just a few drops of food coloring. The unique flavors of buttermilk, vinegar, and cocoa powder all work together to create a distinct and memorable cake.

In this recipe, the natural cocoa powder works alongside the acidic ingredients to tenderize the flour and create a finer crumb. This is important to keep the cake light and airy. The vinegar and buttermilk react with the anthocyanin in the cocoa to turn it a vibrant red. While you can technically make this cake with just a little bit of red food coloring, if you want your cake to be bright and flavorful use a more concentrated gel based red colorant.

During the 1800s, bakers began to add cocoa to their recipes to help soften the gluten and give the cake a more fine and smooth texture. This helped the cake have a more velvety appearance and thus, the name red velvet was born. In World Ward II, the popularity of this dessert grew even more as many food items were rationed. To add the red hue to the cake, some cooks used beet juice as it would help keep their cake moist. The Adams Extract Company then capitalized on the trend and started printing the red velvet cake recipe on their food coloring packaging.

Today, we can’t easily achieve that natural reddish-brown hue in our cakes because modern-day cocoa powder is processed with an alkalizing agent to neutralize its acidity. Without this neutralization, the anthocyanins in the cocoa powder would not turn the batter red.

It is also important to note that a traditional buttermilk should be used, not regular milk as this will ensure the reaction with the anthocyanin and food coloring takes place. If you are unable to find buttermilk, you can easily substitute it with plain yogurt and lemon juice. The acidity in the buttermilk is necessary to help the baking soda leaven the cake and bring out the best flavor of the cocoa and red food coloring.

This easy to follow recipe is a must-have for anyone who loves a classic and delicious cake! It has all of the key components of a true red velvet cake. You’ll love the subtle chocolate flavor and bright red hue that will have your family and friends asking for more! So what are you waiting for? Grab your mixer and get to making this amazing dessert!red velvet cake