Red Velvet Cake

I would have to say that my favorite cake is
Red Velvet Cake.

But, beware
there is one thing that can ruin the whole cake.
Actually, two things.
I just discovered the other thing.

There is nothing more disappointing about a red velvet cake
than biting into it and discovering it is the wrong icing.
What you might ask is the wrong icing?
I will tell you...
Unless it is frosted with the original icing
that was handed down thru generations
with the cake recipe it is wrong.

But I will let you be the judge,
you try it and see if this is your favorite too.

Red Velvet Cake
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. cocoa
2 oz. red food coloring
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup buttermilk
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 Tbsp. vinegar

Cream together shortening and sugar and eggs.
Make a paste with food coloring and cocoa.
Add to creamed mixture.
Mix the salt and vanilla in with buttermilk and
add alternately with flour to creamed mixture.
Mix soda and vinegar and fold into mixture.
DO NOT BEAT.
Bake in 2 greased 9" pans for 30 min. at 350.

Red Velvet Cake Icing

5 Tbsp. flour
1 cup milk
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Cook flour and milk till thick, stirring constantly.
Make sure you cool the flour mixture.
Beat sugar, butter and vanilla
 and add milk and flour mixture.
Beat until right consistency to spread
(about 15 min.)
It gets fluffy and delish!

Crumb coat.

And I have discovered the second thing that can
 ruin a red velvet cake....
is ganache.

For Valentines Day, I covered this cake with ganache and its not
that I don't like ganache,
I just don't like it on my favorite cake.

I remember my mom making this cake
for special occasions and
I will pass on the tradition.

Happy Cakin' to ya!
~R

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