Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

We can't wait to try it once more!

carnation_basif - March 18, 2007 12:32:06 PM PST

This cake was the best my family had ever tasted. The rich chocolate taste, the dark tempting red color, the luscious cream cheese frosting! Oh! My kids said that their taste buds were tingling for more. You should definitely try it!

24 of 25 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

Agree with Kat K. Adjustment to frosting

Rick R - October 9, 2007 06:26:49 PM PST

I agree with Kat K that the Red Velvet cake is best without the cream cheese frosting. I take 3 tablespoons of corn starch and one cup of milk. Cook this mixture until it is thick. Let cool. Then take two sticks of butter and beat in one cup sugar. Add one teaspoon vanilla. When this mixture is mixed so there are no grains of sugar, add the cooled milk mixture. Beat until frosting whips to peaks. Enjoy!

9 of 9 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

My Favorite Cake!

dentalgurly016 - August 3, 2007 02:15:35 PM PST

This has always been my favorite cake. This is actually going to be my wedding cake as well. Its light tasting and the cream cheese frosting is the best.

9 of 9 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

wrong frosting; use 1 pound BUTTER plus sugar

stephenandrews1 - February 2, 2008 06:33:19 PM PST

OMG, what happened to this very traditional southern recipe?
cream cheese frosting?

the other readers who found this cake boring, had a point.
the heavy cake is not that exciting, albeit the 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder gives an always interesting mildly, mildly bittersweet chocolately flavor.
THE KEY is the balance provided by the frosting, which is made from 1 pound (4 sticks) butter plus 1 cup sugar, and 2 eggs.
the butter must be room temp soft or you are in trouble. to the chopped up, warm soft butter that is blended in a strong 2 or 3 blade mixer, you incrementally add the sugar ; plan to spend 20 minutes mixing it, to dissolve the sugar into the butter, yes the frictional heat from the blades help to dissolve the sugar into the butter; add the eggs any time. a touch of vanilla extract ends a really thick but doggone wonderful frosting, the heavy sweetness balances the cocoa in the cake. oh man, life is good when the corrrect frosting is used.

6 of 6 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

It Was Good, But...

crazeecreole - October 9, 2007 07:07:52 PM PST

I grew up eating my Cajun Mom's Red Velvet Cake that she made from scratch; everyone wanted one for their birthday or for any occasion. She used pureed sugar beets instead of food coloring and it was delicious. This one was good, but for the amount of work, it wasn't all that. I know some of us like our cakes from scratch but, Duncan Hines has a Red Velvet mix that is much, much better and IMHO, is the closest in sweetness and texture to my Mom's cake. (I fooled my brothers and sisters...shhhhh...teehee!)

6 of 7 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

A surprise for my wife

illusion1925 - August 4, 2007 09:00:25 AM PST

Red Velvet Cake is my wife's very favorite. Her older sister used to make it for from scratch. The store bought cakes and cake mixes just don't compare to the home-made cake.
Now that I have the recipe, I am going to make one and surprise my wife with it.

3 of 4 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

NOT THE RIGHT FROSTING !

kat k - August 28, 2007 05:00:07 PM PST

The traditional Southern Red Velvet Cake has an unusual frosting which is NOT cream cheese ! The true frosting is made from
milk, flour, crisco, and white sugar. You make the milk and flour mixture in a sauce pan until it thickens, then you beat the crisco, sugar and sauce until the frosting is light fluffy with NO SUGAR CRYSTALS left in it. It is a most delicious frosting, the best I have ever tasted. Also, the traditional cake recipe does not have any wheat flour in it - this recipe also does not include the baking soda and vinegar which gives the red velvet cake it's distinctive taste, along with the cocoa. I would also add more sugar. For more info
check out this link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/388523
for a perfect cake and frosting !!! DON'T BE DISCOURAGED !

4 tablespoons flour
1 cup whole milk
1 cup Crisco
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix flour with milk. Cook until thick, whisking the entire time. Set aside to cool. Cream Crisco and sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla and cooked flour mixture slowly. Beat until it feels like whipped cream.

ENJOY!! K. Carlson - Dallas, TX

10 of 19 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

Yuck!

Claire - August 3, 2007 02:46:37 PM PST

I carefully made this cake. I wanted it to be perfect and made sure I didnt do a single thing wrong, and really the cake looked absolutely beautiful. HOWEVER, it tasted weird! My mother told me it tasted how red velvet cakes are supposed to taste, but that they are generally just odd tasting. The frosting was terrible too. It was sort of sour. Normally cream cheese frosting is delicious, but the recipe here didnt call for enough sugar I believe. I am certainly never making this recipe again.. alot of work for little result.

Pro's: Rich red cake, lovely presentation

Con's: Cake isnt sweet, frosting is odd/sour

2 of 3 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

try dark choclate

Lawrence - February 21, 2008 09:35:00 AM PST

I find this cake has a much nicer color and flavor when you use the hersey's special dark unsweeten cocoa powder

1 of 1 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

Adjustment to the frosting #2

msnhardin4 - February 19, 2008 08:17:44 AM PST

yes this cakes needs the orignal receipe frosting (Butter and Sugar). It is sooooo much better then the cream cheese frosting ! ! !

1 of 1 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

Added somethings...

la la girl - November 13, 2007 03:02:15 PM PST

I have been making this same recipe since I was a little girl. The only difference is that in the Cream Cheese Frosting I add chopped pecans and a little coconut. It is so delicious.

1 of 1 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

Cream Cheese Frosting is a must!!

Jennifer V - January 31, 2008 09:21:58 AM PST

This is a great recipe and I totally disagree with the reviewer who said it's the wrong frosting. I grew up in South Georgia and now live in South Carolina. Everyone I know has always used cream cheese frosting on their red velvet cakes. Personally, I think you can't go wrong with the Duncan Hines Red Velvet Cake mix topped with homemade cream cheese frosting! It's my family's fave and turns out my boyfriend's grandmother who lives in West Virgina uses the same mix for hers, which is also their family's fave! Nothing beats something delicious AND easy!!

2 of 4 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

Only okay

jbipe - August 3, 2007 12:45:40 PM PST

I made this cake, it was heavy and wasn't that flavorfull, I was expecting much more, since I have heard people rave about red velvet. I will try another recipe to see how it turns out. The icing was good, but I made extra.

2 of 4 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

My wedding cake......

skelley916 - February 2, 2008 06:56:49 PM PST

Red Velvet cake is the best flavored cake in the world......not only is it my favorite cake but it will also be my wedding cake. This recepie is the best recipie ever. It willl be the recipie that I will use for my wedding cake and I suggest that everyone who comes across this recepie use it.......

1 of 2 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

Umm.....

fouriedfreek5264 - May 11, 2008 04:23:44 PM PST

Overall i thought the cake was only okay... the cake was terrific!! but the frosting was TERRIBLE! I'm sorry but it just doesn't mesh with the rest of it. Any suggestions for a different frosting?

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

yuck

klucillem - March 16, 2008 08:23:32 PM PST

I have been trying different red velvet cake recipes to find my favorite. I have to say this is the worst one that I have tried. I think the whole wheat flour is what made it taste so gross. Also the cream cheese frosting is wimpy and did not compare to the others. This cake went directly into the trash bin.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

Cake mix just as good !!

lizloweneedlepoint - March 11, 2008 09:11:53 AM PST

Rather than making this cake from scratch, you can buy any brand "French Vanilla" cake mix. Add one ounce of red food coloring AND MUST ADD 2 tablespoons hot cocoa mix powder !!! Then just buy any brand "Cream Cheese" frosting. Tastes just as good as any bakery in Charleston or New Orleans !! Less work, same tasty goodness !!

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

I

Leann - March 4, 2008 11:07:04 AM PST

I have been searching all over for this recipe. My grandmother, who passed away years ago, used to make this cake for me when I was little. I absolutely love it!! When she made it, it did not have the cream cheese frosting but the butter (recipe) frosting. THAT is what I have actually been searching for. I've been able to find a recipe for the cake but never the frosting. I have sat for hours and hours looking through her recipes, only to find it here!! Thank you SO much

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

OHHHH!!!

imapirate4life - February 21, 2008 11:50:21 PM PST

it looks soooo good!!!

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

THE REAL ONE

barb t - February 21, 2008 04:56:27 AM PST

here is the real recipe half cup crisco,1/1/2sugar 2 eggs 2 oz of red food coloring cream together. add 1 tsp vanilla sift together 2 tbs cocoa 1 tsp salt, 2 cups flour, add alternately to creamed mix 1 cup buttermilk or milk with 1 tbs vinger stir in ( DONOT BEAT 1TSP VINGER,1TSP BAKING SODA MIX THIS IN A BOWL BEFORE ADDING TO MIX BAKE AT 350 FOR 30 TO 40 MINS IN( 2 )8 OR 9 INCH PANS , FROSTING COOK UNTIL THICK 1 CUP MILK 1/4 CUP FLOUR A PINCH OF SALT LET THIS COOL SET ASIDE THEN IN A BOWL ADD 1 CUP SUGAR 1/2 CUP CRISCO 1/4 POUND MARGARINE ADD MILK AND FLOUR MIX URE AND 1 TSP VANILLA BEAT THIS ALONG TIME UNTIL FLUFFY FROST CAKES

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

The legend of the cake...

Mark - February 19, 2008 02:28:17 PM PST

The person who took issue with the urban legend story is incorrect. Jan Brunvand has studied urban legends and published several books, one of which was entitled "The Red Velvet Cake...". The original version of the legend involved a recipe for this cake from the Waldolf Astoria and started sometime in the late 1940's or early 1950's---before the days of credit cards. The more recent versions of the same legend include recipes for the Neiman-Marcus cookie or Mrs. Fields cookies, etc.----and usually involve a credit card transaction. Of course, none of the stories were true. The Waldorf never had the cake on their menu until many years after the legend started. Due to the continual demand, they have been giving away copies of the recipe for years.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

not the correct frosting

hsjw00 - February 19, 2008 01:30:22 PM PST

Red Velvet cake tastes SOOO MUCH Better with the Southern version of Butter Cream frosting instead of Cream Cheese Frosting.

I have a receipe that is over 50 years old for red velevet cake with butter cream and there is nothing comparable to it in the world.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

It looks good

Mary G - February 12, 2008 09:28:36 PM PST

It looks soo yummy I think I might make it for my mothers birthday on valentines day. You know what i'll make it into a shape of a heart. Thanks for the recipe.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

Yummy Velvet

Creepy O - February 10, 2008 12:06:11 AM PST

My friend and I made this cake tonight. It was very good. I love the red colour and the icing. I'd recommend making it to anyone.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

Great Cake...Note on the Frosting Substitution

mypartimeworkaccount - February 2, 2008 08:55:51 PM PST

The cake recipe is great in itself. lets keep in mind that the "Cream Cheese Frosting" is a bit lighter on the calories than the traditional butter suger recipe. After all this cake is not intended to ruin a diet.

-A

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

Red Food Coloring?

Frizzle - February 2, 2008 06:18:43 PM PST

I thought this cake went out of style in the 80's. I've heard that red food coloring can intensify ADD and ADHD symptoms. The recipe note does mention using Natural Dyes. Recently I made a chocolate cake and used fresh beet puree to add moisture and to also add a deep magenta color. Kids loved it and didn't even know they were eating beets!

3 of 7 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

has its own culinary mythology = Urban legend

boudi - August 3, 2007 03:02:52 PM PST

FYI, this quote is inaccurate, a bastardization of a very old online urban legend, which is known as the Neiman-Marcus cookie recipe. You can read more at the Snopes website.
http://www.snopes.com/business/consumer/cookie.asp

Still looking forward to trying this recipe, though!

3 of 7 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

Yummy

Nellz - December 17, 2007 06:30:22 AM PST

This is so good but im definately not feelin the cream cheese icing

1 of 3 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

disappointed

T L - February 2, 2008 08:42:28 PM PST

How is 12 grams of fat a diet friendly desert? I'm disappointed in all of these "diet friendly" deserts...they'd be half if not more of my weight watcher points. I'd rather more of something healthier.

0 of 1 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse

Soy Question

jelisa_c - October 3, 2007 12:33:38 PM PST

Can I use soy milk instead of the cream? Anyone has a clue?

0 of 1 found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes - No Report Abuse