SOUTHERN RED VELVET RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil and flour three 9 by 1 1/2-inch round cake pans.
• In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In another large bowl, whisk together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla.
• Using a standing mixer, mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined and a smooth batter is formed.
• Divide the cake batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Place the pans in the oven evenly spaced apart. Bake, rotating the pans halfway through the cooking, until the cake pulls away from the side of the pans, and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
• Remove the cakes from the oven and run a knife around the edges to loosen them from the sides of the pans. One at a time, invert the cakes onto a plate and then re-invert them onto a cooling rack, rounded-sides up. Let cool completely.
• Frost the cake. Place 1 layer, rounded-side down, in the middle of a rotating cake stand. Using a palette knife or offset spatula spread some of the Cream Cheese Frosting over the top of the cake. (Spread enough frosting to make a 1/4 to 1/2-inch layer.) Carefully set another layer on top, rounded-side down, and repeat. Top with the remaining layer and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting. Sprinkle the top with the pecans.
• In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand-held electric mixer in a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, sugar, and butter on low speed until incorporated. Increase the speed to high, and mix until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. (Occasionally turn the mixer off, and scrape the down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.)
• Reduce the speed of the mixer to low. Add the vanilla, raise the speed to high and mix briefly until fluffy (scrape down the bowl occasionally). Store in the refrigerator until somewhat stiff, before using. May be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 330 degrees F. Grease a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper.
• Cream the granulated sugar and butter together in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until they're light and fluffy. Then add the molasses and mix. Add the eggs 1 at a time and mix until they're incorporated, then scrape down the bowl and paddle to make sure it is completely mixed.
• In a pitcher, combine the buttermilk, oil, apple cider vinegar, food coloring and vanilla.
• Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture, finishing with the dry ingredients. Scrape the bowl and mix again, being careful not to over-beat.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Let cool until no longer warm to the touch, then flip the cake out onto a cardboard cake board. With a serrated knife, remove the top of the cake to make it level. Flip the cake over and remove the browned bottom or "bloom" with the serrated knife. Slice the cake into 2 layers. Layer some of the Classic Cream Cheese Frosting between the cake layers, and then top the cake with it.
• In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter together until they're soft and light. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Scrape the bowl and paddle down, then add the vanilla and salt and mix until incorporated.