Purple Velvet Cake Food

SOUTHERN RED VELVET CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil and flour three 9 by 1 1/2-inch round cake pans.
• In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In another large bowl, whisk together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla.
• Using a standing 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, rotating 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 knife around the edges to loosen them from the sides of the pans. One at a time, invert the cakes onto a plate and then re-invert them onto a cooling rack, rounded-sides up. Let cool completely.
• Frost the cake. Place 1 layer, rounded-side down, in the middle of a rotating cake stand. Using a palette knife or offset spatula spread some of the Cream Cheese Frosting over the top of the cake. (Spread enough frosting to make a 1/4 to 1/2-inch layer.) Carefully set another layer on top, rounded-side down, and repeat. Top with the remaining layer and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting. Sprinkle the top with the pecans.
• In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand-held electric mixer 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. (Occasionally turn the mixer off, and scrape the down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.)
• Reduce the speed of the mixer to low. Add the vanilla, raise the speed to high and mix briefly until fluffy (scrape down the bowl occasionally). Store in the refrigerator until somewhat stiff, before using. May be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days.

PURPLE VELVET TORTE (BEET CAKE)

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat the beets and agave to a boil.
• Reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, until beets are soft.
• Transfer beet-agave mixture to a blender and puree on highest speed until smooth.
• Blend in eggs, oil, vanilla, almond extract, cocoa and salt until thoroughly incorporated.
• Pour batter into a well greased 9-inch cake pan.
• Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Cool and serve.

PURPLE VELVET CAKE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease bottom and sides of three 8-inch round cake pans. Mix together the dry ingredients with wire whisk until well combined. In a separate bowl, combine all wet ingredients. (Note: 10 drops of blue and 15 drops of pink for a dark purple, or 24 drops of red and 16 drops of blue for a medium purple.) Gradually add wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stir until well combined. Pour into greased and floured round cake pans. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until toothpick inseted near the center comes out clean. Let it cool for 15 minutes and remove from pans on wire rack to allow cool completely.
• 2. Cream together the cream cheese and butter. Add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth and creamy. Spread between layers and over top and sides of a cake.