to think red velvet cake is utterly pointless, wtf? <trivial>

[DarylDixonsDarlin]

What the hell is this? I always fancied trying it - it looked nice, sounded nice by the description, it was the co op truly irresistible range (normally I enjoy that brand of cake), had a cup o tea with it too, but it is shite in a box I ate it anyway

Surely it is just chocolate cake with nasty tasting red food colouring? Oh god the shitty fake aftertaste, it just will not go away. It's enough to put me off cake for 24 hours

I totally agree with you. A lot of people here like it, though. I feel like I can taste the red food coloring in it. Blech. The cream cheese frosting is good, though.

Shop bought mass produced cake is rarely good.
I like to bake. Basic stuff.
I've noticed the quality of shop bought bakery items have fallen in recent years. I think they're using cheaper ingredients.

It used to be made with beetroot or some such. If they use cochineal it will taste rank. That stuff is foul.

YANBU

I was very disappointed when I found out red velvet cake was basically chocolate cake with red food colouring and fancy name. I'd sooner just have chocolate cake without the hype.

Red velvet cake has vinegar in it.

Yup, couldn't agree more. Even if it were Hummingbird bakery I'd rather have just chocolate than all that pointless food colouring. A friend who is lauded for her cake making brought some to a party and was telling how she'd tipped a whole pot of food colouring paste in. No shit Sherlock, everyone else may have raved, but you could taste the food colour bleugh.

I won't make red velvet cake for that reason. Why add colouring to chocolate cake?

I made it once, it was rubbish. Don't understand why people rave about it.

I think it's co op recipe. With beetroot and cream cheese frosting it's delicious.

Isn't proper red velvet made by a chemical reaction with cocoa powder and bicarbonate/cream of tartar or whatever that gives the red colour?

I'm sure I have seen a recipe, very complicated but no red colouring?

Sound like they've made ordinary sponge coloured red rather than red velvet cake...

It's not a chocolate cake with red colouring. It's a buttermilk cake with a hint of cocoa. I get many regular orders for mine and there's no fake aftertaste. I think a lot of bakeries use way too much colouring though.

I recently had the pleasure of chowing down on a lemon meringue pie, I had never tasted one before. It was delicious, much nicer than red velvet.

Every recipe I've ever seen called for red food coloring. If there's a recipe that is naturally red without the coloring, I'd be willing to try that. Plus it would be fun to make. :)

Tesco make a rather jolly red velvet cupcake with red sauce in the middle and far too much cream on the top :) I don't see the point of ones that are just reddish brown sponge.

Yes, Micah has the right idea. Lots now are just dyed chocolate cake, which is pointless, but the proper recipe sounds interesting. Not tried it though, I must admit.

I don't get it either. It's cake that is red. What's so exciting about that

io9.com/why-red-velvet-cake-was-originally-red-and-why-it-can-1464992225

The cheap ones are just nasty. The only bought one I rate is the red velvet muffin from Costco)

Interested in the proper version without colouring. Does anyone know where to get the correct type of cocoa powder?

Am more concerned about Still s deprived childhood.
How have you got this far I lifr without having a lemon meringue pie before???

I'm also by red velvet cake. What's the point of it being red? Or blue, or any colour.

Yes I agree. Looks lovely but looks are misleading.

Costco do a huge red velvet cake and it is lush. No idea if it is how red velvet is meant to taste but it's very nice.

Dh and I had a 'proper' red velvet for our wedding..it was bloody lovely!