Best Holiday Red Velvet Cake

If you are anything like me, Thanksgiving is in the rear view mirror and the countless holiday parties are filling up your calendar. If you are at the inevitable crossroads of figuring out what dish to bring to all of your holiday potlucks and parties, then look no further than my favorite red velvet cake! Not only is this cake delicious, moist, and easy to transport, but you can make amazing red velvet truffles out of the scraps, two desserts with only the work of one! Below is my go to recipe for all holiday functions, try it out and let me know how you like it!

Cake

·         3 cups of cake flour – this is absolutely necessary, do not skimp and go for all purpose, my favorite brand is Swan’s Down

·         1 tablespoon of baking powder

·         2-3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder  - if you like a richer chocolate flavor use 3 tablespoons, I love Hershey’s cocoa, gives a great flavor!

·         ¼ teaspoon of salt

·         ½ cup of softened unsalted butter

·         2 cups of sugar

·         1 cup of vegetable oil

·         4 large eggs

·         1 tablespoon of vanilla extract – I never measure mine so this is ballpark

·         1 teaspoon of white vinegar

·         Red food coloring

·         1 cup of buttermilk

·         For glaze : ½ cup each of water and sugar

Icing

·         1/2 stick of butter

·         8 oz of cream cheese

·         4 cups of powdered sugar

·         1 tablespoon of vanilla extract

Truffles

·         ½ cup of heavy whipping cream

·         ½ cup of mini chocolate chips

Directions

1.       Preheat your oven to 350. Butter, flour, and line with parchment two round cake pans.

2.       In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder together and set aside.

3.       In a large bowl (or stand mixer) cream your butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugar and beat together until well combined. Add the oil, this may give your batter an odd texture, that’s ok! Add the eggs and vanilla extract.

4.       In a small bowl mix your vinegar and desired food coloring, I like to use gel for vibrancy, but liquid works as well. Add however much you want your cake color to be, keep in mind that your cake color will lighten when baking, I usually use 1/4 teaspoon of gel or 15-18 drops of liquid.

5.       Add your coloring mixture to your batter.

6.       Take your dry ingredients and add in thirds to your batter, alternating with the addition of your buttermilk. ALWAYS begin and end with the same i.e. if you start with dry, end with dry.

7.       Pour the batter into your prepared pans and bake for 30-40 minutes, this will vary on your oven.

8.       Once a toothpick inserted comes out clean, remove and cool the cakes.

9.       As your cakes cool, make your sugar glaze, this helps seal in moisture! In a small saucepan or pot, put ½ each of water and white sugar, heat until combined (do not overheat as this can burn)

10.   Unmold your cakes, remove the parchment, and level your cakes (make sure to keep these scraps!). Brush your glaze onto the top of each leveled cake and let cool.

11.   Make your icing. Cream your butter and sugar together, add the vanilla extract, add one cup of powdered sugar in at a time until desired consistency has been reached.

12.   Ice your cakes and decorate!

13.   Make truffles. Take leveled cake pieces and crumble into bowl, take remaining icing (usually about ½ cup) and add to crumbles. Combine until small balls can be made. Place small balls on parchment and freeze for one hour. Put heavy cream in microwave safe bowl and warm to an almost boil. Pour hot cream over chocolate chips, let rest for 30 seconds and then mix until smooth. Take your balls out of the freezer, roll in your chocolate mixture, place on parchment once coated, decorate, and let cool. Once all balls are coated, place in fridge to set. Remove once set and place in decorative container!

These two desserts are not only delicious, but incredibly easy to make. One variation that I find fun is to make this for a baby shower and make either pink or blue velvet cake. The only change needed for the recipe is the food coloring and to add shaved white chocolate instead of cocoa powder! What’s your go to holiday dessert? Do you want more of my favorite recipe ideas?!  

XO, Crystal