Tag Archives: red velvet cake

Recipe Box: Mama’s Cousin’s Southern Red Velvet Cake

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There are a few cakes from childhood that dance deliciously in your memory, forever. They are the beautiful cakes that symbolize nostalgia and will always remind you a little bit of the magic of your youth.

For me, one of these is my Mom’s Southern Red Velvet Cake.

Mama's Cousin's Southern Red Velvet Cake

Actually it’s her cousin’s recipe so I call it, “Mama’s Cousin’s Southern Red Velvet Cake.” Whatever the name, it’s delicious. The rich red velvet cake pairs perfectly with the creamy, cream cheese frosting and it’s sweet, rich and delicious while still having a bit of a refined taste as it’s not too sweet. This might be attributed to the acidic elements of buttermilk or vinegar in the cake (yes, VINEGAR!!) but the two tastes of sweet and tart balance each other out so well.

So when my friend, stylist Jennie C., was having a birthday party and I found out that her favorite cake was red velvet. I knew immediately the recipe I would use. I promptly got on the horn and called Mama for the recipe.

While it’s messy to make – it seriously looks like an episode of True Blood at points…

– in the end, this cake beautiful to look at, gorgeous to display or take to a shindig and scrumptious to eat.

Mama's Cousin's Southern Red Velvet Cupcakes

Without further ado…

Mama’s Cousin’s Southern Red Velvet Cake or Cupcakes

2 ounces red food coloring (I prefer the Wilton No-Taste Red)

3 tablespoons cocoa

½ cup vegetable shortening

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 ½ cups sifted cake flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

1 tablespoon vinegar

1 teaspoon baking soda

Mix food coloring with cocoa and set aside.  Beat shortening with sugar; add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.  Add food coloring mixture and vanilla.  Alternately add flour, salt, and buttermilk, beating well.  Stir in vinegar and baking soda. For cake, grease bottom and sides of three pans and line each with wax paper (cutting off excess at top). Bake in 350-degree oven for 25-30 minutes.  Makes one 3-layer cake or one large loaf cake. For cupcakes, Bake for 18-24 minutes (makes approx 28 cupcakes). Let cake cool before frosting.

 

Cream Cheese Frosting:  Cream together 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, 1 bag of confectioners’ sugar plus 2 tablespoons, 2 teaspoons vanilla and 1 stick butter, softened.

 

xoxo,
BF

 

BF Asks: What cake from your childhood dances deliciously in your memory?

Recipe Box: Red Velvet Dessert Ball with Assorted Cookie Dippers

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Three things you need to know about this decadent dessert, my lovelies.

Red Velvet Dessert Ball with Assorted Cookie Dippers: It may not be the prettiest but it IS holiday-scrumptious!

First, it is sinfully delicious – even when it isn’t the most gorgeous thing ever!

Second, it is SUPER easy!!

Third, it is PERFECT for Christmas!! And people love it!!

It’s what I refer to, here on BeautyFrosting,  as a homespun recipe – meaning it’s a spin on homemade as you use a few things already in your pantry and fridge to make a super easy dish.

I took it to a friend’s Christmas cocktail party here in L.A. on Tuesday night and it was a HIT!!! Everyone was asking about it and RAVING about it!!

 

BeautyFrosting’s Red Velvet Dessert Ball with Assorted Cookie Dippers

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups red velvet cake mix, dry
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, white chocolate chips or chocolate shavings

*You’ll also need some plastic/Saran Wrap

With a hand mixer, combine butter and cream cheese and mix until smooth and creamy.
Add red velvet cake mix, powdered sugar and brown sugar. Beat until deliciously red, smooth, creamy and dreamy.

Spatula the combined ingredients above onto your plastic/Saran Wrap. Roll the plastic around so that a ball is made of the red velvet mixture.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

In a shallow dish or plate, place the chocolate chips/shavings.

Remove the wrapped ball from the refrigerator and unwrap. The next part is messy! I’m sure some little elves would love to help! Roll the ball in the chocolate chips/shavings so that it is covered. Wash your hands.

Serve your holiday-gorgeous red velvet ball with a small serving knife and assorted sweet dippers: Nilla Wafers, brownies, cookies, graham crackers, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries and/or grapes.

Pantry & fridge staples turned decadent dessert ball

Perfect for including the kiddos in holiday baking - Rolling the red velvet ball into the chocolate of your choice! Messy, scarlet-colored Christmas fun!

Indulge & Enjoy with your near and dear!

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: What unconventional holiday recipe do you crave?