Cakeman Raven's cake is so delicious. I've tried it before and was very pleased with the results--even the frosting.
Quote:
Originally Posted by alvarezmom
Chasey, Here is the recipe
Cakeman Raven "Southern Red Velvet Cake"
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon fine salt
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk, at room tempature
2 large eggs, at room tempature
2 tablespoons red food coloring (1 ounce)
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil and flour 3 cake pans (9 X1 1/2). In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In another large bowl, whick together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla.
Using a stand 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, rotaing 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 knoife around the edges to loosen them from the sides of the pans. One at a time, onvert the cakes onto a plate and then re-invert them onto a cooling rack, rounded-sides up. Let cool completely.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 pound cream cheese, softened
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup), softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand held electric micer 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. Reduce the speed of the mixer to low. Add the canilla, raise the speed to high and mix briefly until fluffy.
I think the moistness is crucial to this cake and I've tasted more dry ones baked by others. Yuck! The cream cheese icing and sometimes just a hint of "twang" in the cake makes it work for me. 
