Red Cake

So Grandpa's Birthday is on Christmas day.  Every year, when we were kids, we would wait at the bottom of the stairs on Christmas morning.  Dad, the earliest riser on the planet, would already have a fire going, the Christmas tree lit and the coffee pot a brewin'.  On the "come on up" signal, we would race up the stairs, take a quick "glance" in passing at our overflowing stockings with all the "hanger-oners" and what Santa brought for us under the tree and then find Dad.  We would wish him a Happy Birthday, plant a couple of hugs and kisses, then he would wave us off in his humble, don't think about me kinda way, and he would graciously let his birthday mesh into the crazy excitement of Christmas morning.  

Well, since Grandma & Grandpa arrived in NY on the 26th, we HAD to have a special birthday cake.  I'd been wanting to try and make a Red Velvet Cake, since the cupcakes are so popular right now.  I found this recipe online.  It is a good one.  The icing intrigued me... check it out.

Happy littles, happy Papa.

It is supposed to be a mitten...

Red Velvet Cake.

The cake was yummy, but next time I would follow one of the comments on their website and substitute the shortening for oil (the cake was a tad dry) and I would double the cocoa.  The "flour" icing reminded me of icing I'd had in a bakery once, but I might also try a cream cheese type frosting.  We decorated the cake with some holiday sprinkles we had on hand from our cookies and the result was really adorable.

Happy "Happy" Papa!

Red Velvet Cake

1/2 cup shortening

• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons cocoa
• 4 tablespoons red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Grease two 9 inch round pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Cream shortening and 1 1/2 cups sugar WELL. Add eggs and beat well.
3. Make a paste of cocoa and red food coloring. Add to creamed mixture. Mix salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla and buttermilk together. Add alternately the flour with the milk mixture to the creamed mixture. Mix soda and vinegar and FOLD INTO CAKE BATTER. DON'T BEAT OR STIR NOW.
4. Bake for 30 minutes.
5. To Make Icing: Cook 5 Tablespoons flour and milk over low heat till thick, stirring constantly. LET COOL THOROUGHLY! While cooling, cream 1 cups sugar, butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat this well till light and fluffy. Add to flour mixture and beat until of a good spreading consistency. DON'T ICE CAKE TILL COOL.

Sending Love,

Twin A