Grandma’s Red Velvet Cake is a beloved holiday tradition in this family’s home. The recipe was discovered in a newspaper in 1963, and it has been a staple for Christmas celebrations ever since. Unlike other red velvet cakes, this version has a mild chocolate taste and is accompanied by a light, snow-like frosting. Baking this cake brings back cherished memories and adds a special touch to the holiday season.
INGREDIENTS:
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1½ cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 bottles (1 ounce each) red food coloring
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups cake flour
- 2 tablespoons baking cocoa
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
FROSTING:
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ cup water
- 2 cups butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3½ cups confectioners’ sugar
PREPARATIONS:
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Beat in the red food coloring, white vinegar, and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, combine the cake flour, baking cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with buttermilk, and beating well after each addition.
- Pour the batter into two greased and floured 9-inch round baking pans.
- Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cakes for 10 minutes before removing them from the pans and transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
FROSTING:
- In a small saucepan, combine the cornstarch and water until smooth.
- Cook and stir the mixture over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, or until thickened and opaque.
- Cool the cornstarch mixture to room temperature.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the cooled cornstarch mixture.
- Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Spread the frosting between the cake layers and over the top and sides of the cake.
YIELD:
- Makes 14 servings.
BAKING TIME:
- Prep: 30 minutes
- Bake: 20-25 minutes
- Cooling time: Varies
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
- Grease and flour the baking pans to ensure the cakes release easily after baking.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the creamed mixture to achieve a well-incorporated batter.
- Allow the cakes to cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Adjust the consistency of the frosting by adding more confectioners’ sugar if needed.
- For variations, try almond frosting by decreasing vanilla extract and adding almond extract, or chocolate frosting by decreasing confectioners’ sugar and adding baking cocoa.
Grandma’s Red Velvet Cake is a cherished holiday tradition that has been passed down through the generations. This recipe, discovered in a newspaper in 1963, offers a unique twist on the classic red velvet cake. With its mild chocolate flavor and light, fluffy frosting, it has become a beloved centerpiece for Christmas celebrations.
The preparation of this cake involves creaming softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Eggs, red food coloring, white vinegar, and vanilla extract are added to create the distinctive red velvet taste. The dry ingredients, including cake flour, baking cocoa, baking soda, and salt, are combined and added alternately with buttermilk to achieve a smooth batter.
Once baked and cooled, the cake is frosted with a delightful cornstarch-based frosting. The cornstarch mixture is cooked and cooled before being incorporated into a creamy mixture of softened butter, vanilla extract, and confectioners’ sugar. The resulting frosting is light, fluffy, and perfect for spreading between the cake layers and over the top and sides of the cake.
For variations, almond frosting can be made by adjusting the vanilla extract and adding almond extract. A chocolate frosting option is also available by incorporating baking cocoa into the frosting mixture.
Grandma’s Red Velvet Cake brings back nostalgic memories of past Christmases and adds a special touch to the holiday season. Its mild chocolate flavor and snow-like frosting create a festive and delightful treat for family and friends to enjoy.
