What could be more scrummy from red velvet cake? Chocolate sponge, cream cheese icing - with a hint of vinegar (yes that is good thing), the delight of eating something that is surprising in colour, and the memories of cake eating days long past. I made these for 4th July, despite, surprisingly, not being American. I don't need much excuse... I tried and failed with a loaf tin version - it turned to fudge after receiving too short a bake and then collapsing, I tried a few different recipes, but our good friend Nigella always has the answer. I have tweaked slightly, to fit my needs rather than improve on perfection...
Ingredients. Makes about 15. She says 24 but I like bigger cakes!
250g Plain Flour
2tbsp Cocoa Powder
2tsp Baking Powder
1.5tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
100g Butter, at room temperature
200g Caster Sugar
1 Jolly Good Squeeze of red food colouring
2tsp Vanilla Extract
2 Large Eggs
180ml Natural Greek Yoghurt
1tsp Cider Vinegar
500g Icing Sugar
125g Cream Cheese, full fat
125g Butter, at room temperature
1tsp Cider Vinegar
Blueberries
Edible Flowers
Method
1. Set the oven to 150 degrees fan. Line your muffin tin with cupcake cases
2. Put the butter and caster sugar in a food mixer and combine until pale and fluffy. Add the vanilla and food colouring
3. Mix the flour and cocoa powder in a separate bowl with the baking powder and bicarbonate of soda, then add a spoonful of the mixture to the butter and sugar
4. Keep the whole thing beating and add an egg followed by another spoonful of flour, then the other egg and then the rest of the dry mixture
5. Now add the yoghurt and vinegar and ensure its all mixed in fully
6. Fill your cake cases about 2/3 of the way and pop in the oven
7. Bake for 18-20 until well risen and a skewer comes out clean. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely
8. Make the icing by combing the icing sugar, butter and cream cheese in your food processor then add the vinegar, this really adds to the flavour
9. Finally add the icing to the cooled cakes and decorate with flowers and blueberries, or anything really
10. Enjoy, and try to only eat one at a time...
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