Red velvet goodness

I've been sorta obsessed with red velvet cake since first trying it awhile back. SO GOOD!

I rarely bake cakes from scratch but thought I should give it a try for our Wednesday picnic dinner with friends. I searched the Web and settled on a Martha Stewart recipe. But I wanted cream cheese frosting and chose one from Joy of Baking.
It's ugly but tasty! I'm very happy with the way it turned out. And, for a Martha Stewart recipe, it was surprisingly simple, quick and easy!

Red Velvet Cake:

2 1/2 c cake flour
1 t salt
1/4 c cocoa powder
1 1/2 c sugar
1 1/2 c canola oil
2 large eggs
1/4 c red food coloring (I used a full 1 oz bottle)
1 t vanilla extract
1 c buttermilk
1 1/2 t baking soda
2 t white vinegar

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Generously butter or spray two 9x2-inch round cake pans. Sprinkle with flour and tap out the excess.

2 In a medium bowl, whisk cake flour, salt and cocoa.

3. With an electric mixer, combine the sugar and oil and beat on medium speed until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add food coloring and vanilla and beat until well combined. Add flour mixture, alternating with buttermilk, scraping the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.

4. In a small bowl, mix baking soda and vinegar until combined. Add to batter and beat for 10 seconds.

5. Evenly divide batter between the prepared pans. Bake until a cake tester inserted in the center of each cake comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool in the pans for 5 minutes. Remove from the pans and return to the rack to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
8 oz. mascarpone cheese, room temperature
1 t vanilla extract
1 c powdered sugar
1 1/2 c cold whipping cream

With an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and mascarpone cheese until smooth. Add the vanilla and confectioners sugar and beat until smooth. Using the whisk attachment, gradually add the heavy cream and whip until the frosting is thick enough to spread. Add more sugar or cream as needed to get the right consistency.

We took the cake to Aaron and Irene's house for a summer picnic and pool party. I was too busy eating, chatting and relaxing to take pictures, but I did manage to get Jesse in his ducky towel.

:)