Buttermilk Red Velvet Cake

BUTTERMILK RED VELVET CAKE 

Cook's notes: Traditionally, the cake is baked in two layers, but a 13 x 9 pan can also be used. I sprinkled crushed pecans over the cream cheese frosting. This was one of the best Red Velvet Cakes I have ever tasted. It was a moist and fluffy cake. Using 2 tablespoons of food coloring does give it a rich red color. No need to use a whole bottle of red, which some recipes suggest. Store cake in refrigerator.

PS I realize there are consumer alerts on red dye, but I easily found a box of assorted dye colors at the store with a safe #40 to use in the baking aisle.   
Ingredients:

• 2 -1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1- 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 heaping teaspoons cocoa powder
• 1-1/4 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk (fluid) at room temperature
• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons food coloring (1 ounce)
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cream Cheese Frosting-recipe below
• Crushed pecans or walnuts for garnish

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil and flour 2 round cake pans or a 13 x 9 pan.
• Sift the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder in a large bowl.
• Whisk together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla in another large bowl.
• Using a mixer blend the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined and a smooth batter is formed.
• If using cake pans: divide the cake batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Place the pans in the oven evenly spaced apart. Bake until the cake pulls away from the side and the center of the cake comes out clean using a toothpick, about 16-18 minutes.
• If using a 13 x 9 pan, bake for 22 minutes.
• Cool the cake in pans for 6 minutes, invert each onto a plate lined with wax paper, then re-invert them onto a cooling rack, rounded sides up. Let cool completely before frosting.
• For a 13 x 9 pan, leave the cake in the pan.

Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1-3 oz. package softened cream cheese
• 3 tablespoons softened butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup milk 

Directions:
Beat all ingredients until smooth -add in more milk if needed for correct consistency.

Some Valentine's treats on the healthier side to celebrate February American Heart Health Awareness Month-see this link below

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2023/01/valentine-round-up-healthier-side.html