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James Gang Red Velvet Cake

How To Make James Gang Red Velvet Cake

Jennifer Tirrell
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Course Cake
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 266 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 ounces red food coloring
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ½ cups white sugar
  • ½ cup vegetable shortening
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon butter flavored extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup vegetable shortening
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • ½ cup coconut, or as desired (Optional)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped nuts (Optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare 2 9-inch or 3 8-inch round cake pans by greasing and flouring them.
  • Begin by mashing 1/2 cup of vegetable shortening and 1 1/2 cups of sugar together in a large bowl until combined. Mix in the eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition. In a small bowl, create a smooth paste by stirring together the red food coloring and cocoa powder. Add the mixture to the shortening mixture and stir until combined.
  • Add the salt and gradually mix in the flour and buttermilk, alternating between the two. While mixing, add in the baking soda, then slowly pour in the vinegar, butter extract, and vanilla extract. Mix just until everything is combined and the mixture is smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans.
  • Bake the cakes in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Once baked, allow the cakes to cool.
  • Next, whisk together 3 tablespoons of flour and milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat until smooth. Whisk constantly and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook until thickened, which should take approximately 30 seconds. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
  • In a bowl, mash together 1 cup of vegetable shortening, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until thoroughly combined. Slowly beat in the cooled milk mixture with an electric mixer, adding about 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat for an additional 1-2 minutes or until the frosting is fluffy. Frost the cooled cake layers with the frosting, and sprinkle coconut and chopped nuts on top of the cake for extra flavor.
  • One of the secrets to making a moist and delicious James Gang Red Velvet Cake is to use buttermilk. If you can't find buttermilk at your local grocery store, you can easily make it by mixing one cup of milk with one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Let the mixture sit for five minutes before using it in the recipe.
  • To make your James Gang Red Velvet Cake more fluffy, add vinegar and baking soda to the batter. Mix the vinegar and baking soda separately before adding them to the batter to create a chemical reaction that will help the cake rise.
  • Using high-quality cocoa powder, such as Dutch-processed cocoa powder, can greatly improve the flavor of your James Gang Red Velvet Cake. Avoid using low-quality cocoa powder as it may result in a bland or bitter cake.
  • Be sure not to overbake your cake, as this can result in a dry and tough cake. Keep a close eye on the cake while it is baking and remove it from the oven as soon as a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Keyword Red velvet cake