Red Velvet Cake

Happy Labor Day. I hope that everyone had a good three day weekend (if you got one that is).

Alex and I headed to his parent's house for a day of leisure (swimming and BBQ).

The best part was that my sister and her family were able to come over for the festivities.

That meant swimming with a three year-old and an almost eight year-old.

Always an adventure.

My nephew will be turning eight later this week.

However, I'll be working on that day and will not be able to come for his real birthday party.

To make up for this my nephew and I made a birthday cake for today together.

Well I made the cake and he made the frosting, but it worked out well.

Red Velvet Cake with Creamy Vanilla Frosting.
From the complete Magnolia Bakery Cookbook

Ingredients:

Cake:

• 3-1/3 cups cake flour
• 1-1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
• 2-1/4 cups sugar
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 6 tablespoons red food coloring
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1-1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1-1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Frosting:

• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

Cake:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Grease and slightly flour three 9 x 2-inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with wax paper.
• In a small bowl, sift the cake flour.
• Set aside.
• In a large bowl, on medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the red food coloring, cocoa, and vanilla.
• Add to batter and beat well.
• In a measuring cup, stir the salt into the buttermilk.
• Add to the batter in three parts, alternating with the flour.
• With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated, but do not overbeat.
• In a small bowl, stir together the cider vinegar and baking soda. (Chemistry in action!)
• Add to the batter and mix well.
• Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl, making sure the ingredients are well blended and the batter is smooth.
• Divide the batter among the prepared pans
• Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of cake comes out clean.
• Let the layers cool in the pans for 1 hour.
• Remove from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
• When the cake has cooled, spread the frosting between the layers, then ice the top and sides of the cake with Creamy Vanilla Frosting.

Frosting:

• In a medium-size saucepan.
• Whisk the flour into the milk until smooth.
• Place over medium heat and stirring constantly, cook until the mixture becomes very thick and begins to bubble, 10-15 minutes.
• Cover with waxed paper placed directly on the surface and cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• In a large bowl, on the medium high speed of an electric mixer, beat the butter for 3 minutes, until smooth and creamy.
• Gradually add the sugar, beating continuously for 3 minutes until fluffy.
• Add the vanilla and beat well.
• Add the cooled milk mixture, and continue to beat on the medium high speed for 5 minutes, until very smooth and noticeably whiter in color.
• Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes (exactly!).
• Frost the cake

My Nephew frosting his cake!