What can you tell me about red velvet cake?

[stufie]

Hi everyone,
I'm getting together with some old friends from away this week who have been dying to try my cupcakes. I was thinking of making red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese, as that seems to be what goes together...but what can I expect when I made this red velvet batter?

I've never had red velvet cake, so, in other words: what does it taste like? Is there any other frosting that would work better? Is there anything I should know before plunging into this foreign recipe?
Thanks!!

[RCKFELLA]

mmm!!! i love red velvet! to be honest, i think half the fun is the fact that the batter is red. I have used quite a few recipes and they've all been good but I haven't really found "the one". Basically it's like a vanilla cake with a hint of chocolate [from the cocoa powder]. I personally like to add a good amount, most recipes call for just one or two teaspoons but I'll add up three times as much, that's just me though. As for the frosting, I think cream cheese is the best for red velvet. The thought of another flavor is kind of weird but it's good to experiment! Anyway that's just my two cents, but I'm not an expert or a pro. Hopefully you'll get more advice
good luck!
-karen

[murphymoon]

red velvet is my favorite cake! I guess it's just something to do with it being red, and being called red velvet that makes it so much fun. Ive been meaning to make red velvet cupcakes..

[AlishaMisha]

Red velvet Cake an get it's color from a few sources and this can change it's flavor.  The original red velvet cake contains vinegar. When the vinegar combines with the cocoa it create a chemical reaction that produces the red color.  Another method is to add in Beet Juice to produce this color.  To create a deep red color, people go with the alternative route of just dying the batter red.

So I guess it all depends on what your looking for. Some people desire the deep unnatural look of the red and some people go for taste.

I also agree with the choice of a cream cheese frosting.

[eye.heart.art]

I just made some for my bff's birthday.  It is basically red devil's food cake.  I frosted my cupcakes with marshmallow frosting and they were yummy!  Here is the recipe that I used: http://www.joyofbaking.com/RedVelvetCake.html

Good Luck!

[kawaiimaru]

mmm red velvet!

i dont have a great recipe...

but be careful with the batter! it stains!! so dont wear anything you love... esp if youre fun baking with friends!

[stufie]

I made the cupcakes with the recipe I found on the food network site, courtesy of Paula Deen.
They weren't bad! The combination with cream cheese icing was great. They did, however, taste a bit like carrot cake to me, and a friend asked if they had pumpkin in them.