What is Red Velvet Cake?
It's one of our most popular cakes but what exactly is it, why is it red...
Where exactly does our Red Velvet sponge come from?
Red Velvet cake originates from the United States and is a red vanilla sponge made with buttermilk and cocoa to give its unique flavour and a light taste of chocolate. Red Velvet cake presence goes back around 200 years to the 19thcentury, and has been a constant favourite across America.
How does Red Velvet cake get its colour?
The bright red colour of the Red Velvet cake is certainly eye-catching! The colour was made traditionally using cocoa to create the red. Our own recipe uses beetroot powder as a natural food colour to create the brilliant red colour of the sponge.
History of Red Velvet
Red Velvet as seen a dramatic increase in popularity recently and despite this, the roots of the Red Velvet cake extend much further back! With the mentions of the cake occurring in the 19thcentury, it has been hard to identify an actual date. As with many exceptional cake recipes, its real origins are still somewhat of a mystery. It has been thought however, that Red Velvet Cake’s origins are related to a company called ‘The Adams Extract’, thought to have produced the first Red Velvet Cake in America. The American origins of the Cake have also been claimed by the Waldorf Astroria Hotel in New York City, where it was a popular item on the menu in the 1950’s. As well as that there are claims of origin in the Southern states on the USA.
Despite the origin being unclear, it is recognised that the cake originated in the United States of America, between 1920 and 1950. Making it the perfect cake for any American themed celebrations!
Fun facts about Red Velvet Cake
- Red Velvet Cake is well known for its yummy, smooth and velvety texture.
- During World War 2, bakers used boiled beet juices to enhance the colour of the cake. This was due to poverty all around the world, so it was requested not to use food colouring as it was classed as an unnecessary expense.
- Red velvet cake is also known as "real Waldorf Cake", "Red Carpet Cake", "Red Mystery Cake" and flame cake, plus so many more!
- Did you know that you have to be careful how you bake your red velvet cake? Harsh baking can have an impact on how intense the colour of the cake is and also the texture.
Our Red Velvet Sponge comes as a whole cake for either 8 or 16 people, or as one of our ‘Baby Sponges’ which are very similar to cupcakes. There is something for every occasion, so why not have our Red Velvet Sponge as a Birthday Cake for something different!
Our Red Velvet Sponge Cake
Our yummy take on a red velvet cake is made with a mix of free range eggs, cocoa, beetroot powder and natural yogurt create a striking red sponge! Our Red Velvet Cake is memorable with the striking deep-red Sponge and chocolate notes. Held together and topped with a velvety vanilla buttercream filling and sprinkled with a pretty red crumb.