Can I have your best red velvet cake recipe (or any tips!)

[EatPrayYoga]

I will start by saying I am not a baker. I have baked from packets once or twice and that's it.

I love red velvet and plan to give it a go this week though I wonder if I should start with something simpler!

[Francescaisstressed]

I would start with something simpler. Decent red velvet cake should include buttermilk which can be quite hard to find over here.

[EatPrayYoga]

I've ordered some buttermilk in my supermarket shop due to come this so let's see whether it comes...

It would be a shame to waste all those ingredients if the cake doesn't turn out well

[cockneygirl]

Nigellas red velvet recipe is pretty good. But you have your recipe already. One thing I would say is not to skimp on the cocoa. A lot of red velvet cakes just aren’t chocolately enough. Or use a chocolate icing but the traditional cream cheese frosting is nice too. Good luck.

[JemimaTiggywinkle]

Red velvet is really easy to make... I would just say, don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t come out red..
I’ve never managed to achieve the red colour, even with lots of nice synthetic food colouring. It will still taste good though.

[HappyHoppyHippo]

Have a look at, cupcake Jemma on YouTube, she is amazing!

[alwaystired234]

Buttermilk is the key. I read that if you dont have buttermilk then you can use milk with an acidic element added (a tablespoon of lemon juice for example). I use the asda own red food dye in a bottle and have never had a problem with it coming out red either, good luck x

[EatPrayYoga]

Thank you that's all really helpful.

I google recipes to check what I needed in my shop (as we have most things but didn't have buttermilk or red food colouring) and Sally's-something came up and bbc.

I am not sure which receipt I will bake from but will look up the ones you have mentioned.

For the cocoa DH (who does bake sometimes) has said to use drinking chocolate powder instead of ordering cocoa powder. Please me if this is bad advice!!

My shop arrives tomorrow so I might make the cake tomorrow afternoon.

[EatPrayYoga]

I was going to do cream cheese frosting as I feel that's part of a proper red velvet

[JemimaTiggywinkle]

I wouldn’t use drinking chocolate... its cocoa powder plus sugar and possibly powdered milk? You would have to adjust the whole recipe accordingly.

[FawnDrench]

I definitely wouldn't use drinking chocolate powder - it is totally different to cocoa.

[KingJane]

Sally's baking addiction every time - fantastic red velvet recipe on her site

[EatPrayYoga]

Thank you. Good to know the Sally recipe is a good one though I will have a quick look.

I will try to pick up some cocoa powder tomorrow after work.