Red Velvet Cake

Its almost Chinese New Year!  My kids are so disappointed that we aren't in China this year. They love all the fireworks. We bought a few back at New Year's that we saved for them to set off. It's the Year of the Horse, which is my year. I doubt I'll buy any red underwear, but some red velvet cake might be just the thing! This recipe is great. I see a lot more food coloring around on Taobao and in China, but its also really easy to pick it up for cheap in Thailand. I usually only put a half bottle. I like this best with cream cheese frosting but a butter cream would also work and be good. I made this recipe in the form of mini-cupcakes last January for a friend's bridal shower. I used some red chocolate candy melts (also more readily available from baking stores on Taobao for China people) to make a little 福 (blessing) character. Once it hardened, I peeled it up and set it on the top of the icing. I loved how they turned out! Hope this recipe works for you this Chinese New Year or Valentine season!

Red Velvet Cake
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 Tbs cocoa
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups oil
1 cup buttermilk (make your own by adding 1 Tbs vinegar or lemon to your milk)
1 Tbs vinegar
1 tsp vanilla
1-2 oz red food coloring

Grease and flour 2 round cake pins or line cupcake pans. Gently mix together eggs, oil, buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla and food coloring in a small bowl. In a large bowl whisk together all the dry ingredients. Pour in the liquids and mix together well. Pour into prepared pans. Lightly tap on counter to release any air bubbles. Bake at 350F (180C) for about 30 minutes (less for cupcakes) or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes before removing from pans and allowing to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 8oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla
4-5 cups powdered sugar

Cream together cream cheese, butter, and vanilla. Add in powdered sugar, one cup at a time until it reaches a good consistency for spreading or piping onto cake or cupcakes.

Notes: The frosting recipe is my Grandmother's, but the cake recipe is adapted from here. I was going to link you to colored melting chocolate on Taobao for China people but my store is closed for New Year and took all their links off! Ha! Go figure! I will try to do it later.