Red Velvet Cake Recipe

Expand the description and view the text of the steps for this how-to video. Check out Howcast for other do-it-yourself videos from goluxx and more videos in the Cakes category. You can contribute too! Create your own DIY guide at http://www.howcast.com/videos/new or produce your own Howcast spots with the Howcast Filmmakers Program at http://www.howcast.com/filmmakers/apply. Bake a red velvet cake whenever you want to serve a dessert that's as beautiful as it is delicious. To complete this How-To you will need: 2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour, sifted 1 tsp. salt 2 tbsp. cocoa powder 2 1-ounce bottles of red food coloring 2 sticks of softened unsalted butter, divided 1 1/2 c. sugar 2 large eggs 1 c. buttermilk 3 tsp. vanilla extract, divided 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. white vinegar 2 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, softened 2 c. powdered sugar 3 9-inch round cake pans Bowls A whisk A wooden spoon Cooling rack Cake plate A spatula 15-ounce can of beets (optional) Electric mixer (optional) Pecan halves (optional) Step 1: Preheat oven Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour the cake pans. Step 2: Combine flour Combine the sifted flour and salt in a bowl. Step 3: Color the cocoa Pour the cocoa powder into a small bowl, add the red food coloring, and whisk until smooth. Tip: You can use the juice from one 15-oz. can of beets in place of the food coloring. Step 4: Cream the butter and sugar In a large bowl, beat one stick of butter and sugar by hand or with a mixer at medium speed until fluffy. Then beat in the eggs, one at a time. Step 5: Add the flour Switch your mixer speed to low and add the flour a few tablespoons at a time. Alternate mixing flour with adding the buttermilk, vanilla extract, and dyed cocoa paste. Mix the ingredients until all the batter is the same red color, but do not overbeat. Step 6: Mix in the vinegar In a small bowl, stir the baking soda into the vinegar, and then fold it into the batter with a wooden spoon. Step 7: Bake the cake Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes; then invert the layers onto a rack to cool completely. Step 8: Make the frosting Make the frosting by beating the cream cheese with one stick of butter until creamy. Beat in 1 tablespoon of vanilla. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Step 9: Apply a crumb coating When the cake has cooled, place the first layer on your cake plate or stand, spread frosting on top with a spatula, add the next layer, frost the top of that, and so on. Once you've added the final cake layer, spread a thin coating of frosting over the entire cake to contain crumbs, and then refrigerate it for 15 minutes. Step 10: Finish frosting Finish frosting the cake by spreading the frosting on top and on the sides. Decorate the top with pecan halves if you like. Thanks for watching How To Make Red Velvet Cake! If you enjoyed this video subscribe to the Howcast YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=howcast