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Red Velvet Cake

A community recipe by

Not tested or verified by Nigella.com

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Introduction

A stunning red and gloriously rich velvety texture. Quite dramatic when you cut into it and see the rich red colour.

Ingredients

Serves: 4-6

For the Cake

  • ½ cup vegetable shortening (such as Crisco)
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 ounces red food colouring
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2½ cups cake flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar

For the Frosting

  • 5 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Method

Red Velvet Cake is a community recipe submitted by snap and has not been tested by Nigella.com so we are not able to answer questions regarding this recipe.

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees butter and line 3 9" baking pans with parchment paper
  • Place shortening and sugar in bowl and beat until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
  • Make a paste of the food colouring, unsweetened cocoa and salt. Add to shortening mixture.
  • Mix vanilla with buttermilk. Dissolve baking soda in vinegar, add to butter milk.
  • Sift and measure flour; add to creamed shortening alternating with buttermilk mixture ending with flour. Mix until smooth approx. 4-5 minutes.
  • Pour into pans Bake 35-40 minutes. Remove from oven, cool 10 minutes, then invert cakes onto cooling rack and to cool completely before frosting.
  • Frosting

  • Make a paste with flour and a small amount of the milk. Add remaining milk gradually, mixing until smooth.
  • Cook in a double boiler at medium heat until thick. Let cool
  • Cream butter with confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Beat until fluffy.
  • Add cooled flour mixture 1 spoon at a time, beating well between additions.
  • Tell us what you think

    What 2 Others have said

    • Perfect. At first i tasted the cake when it was right out of the oven and i was disappointed, it was bland - but not when it cooled. When it cooled it was incredible. Very decadent. But I didn't try the frosting as i wanted a cream cheese one.

      Posted by kimos on 7th April 2015
    • Is there a difference between flour and cake flour?

      Posted by lizbeth renjith on 17th November 2012
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