Red Velvet Sheet Cake With Mascarpone Cream Cheese Frosting Food

RED VELVET SHEET CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9x13 baking pan with baking spray.
• Sift the flour, cocoa powder and baking soda into a large bowl and add the baking soda to it.
• In a stand mixer whisk together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add in the eggs one at a time.
• Whisk in the sour cream, milk, red food coloring and vanilla then add in the flour until just combined with no dry streaks.
• Pour into baking pan, spread evenly and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean
• Let cool completely before frosting.

RED VELVET SHEET CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with baking spray.
• Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl and set aside. In a small bowl, stir together the buttermilk, food coloring, vanilla and vinegar and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer and a large bowl, beat the oil, butter and granulated sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs, one at time, beating well after each addition. Scrape the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula and briefly beat again to ensure everything is combined.
• Alternate adding the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture in three parts and beat just until everything is combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly and into the corners using a large offset spatula or knife. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely in the pan, about 35 minutes.
• For the frosting: Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer and a large bowl, beat the butter and salt on high speed for 1 minute. Add the cream cheese and beat until combined and fluffy, about 1 minute. With the mixer on medium speed, beat in the confectioners' sugar in 3 additions until combined. Beat in the vanilla until combined. If the frosting is too stiff, beat in the heavy cream, as needed.
• When cake is completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top using a large offset spatula or knife. Sprinkle with the pecans, if you like.

RED VELVET CAKE WITH MASCARPONE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Place cupcake liners in two cupcake pans.
• Whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. Stir together the hot water and cocoa powder in a small bowl until smooth; let cool slightly. Stir together the milk and vinegar in another small bowl and let stand until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Whisk together the oil, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth. Whisk in the red food coloring and the cocoa mixture. Alternate whisking in the flour mixture in three additions and the milk in two, starting and ending with the flour, until just combined. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pans, then remove to cooling racks and let cool completely.
• For the frosting: Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese, mascarpone, butter, vanilla and salt with an electric mixer on medium speed in a large bowl until smooth and fluffy. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until smooth. Increase the speed to high and beat until very fluffy and there is no gritty texture left from the sugar. Beat in the milk to adjust the consistency if the frosting seems too thick.
• Transfer the frosting to a pastry bag with a medium round tip. Pipe a circle onto each of the cupcakes.
• Meanwhile, melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave or in a double boiler. Transfer the chocolate to a small piping bag and snip a tiny hole. Pipe a spiral on each of the cupcake tops that spans the full size of the top. Run a toothpick from the center point of the spiral and drag to the edge of the cupcake. Do this 3 to 5 times, creating a web. Repeat with the remaining cupcakes. Top with a gummy spider, if using. Spooky!

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING FOR RED VELVET CAKE

Steps:

• Combine the cream cheese and butter on medium speed, just until blended, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla and salt and beat until combined. With the speed on low, add the powdered sugar in 4 batches, beating until smooth between each addition. Refrigerate for 5 to 10 minutes before using.

RED VELVET SHEET CAKE WITH CLASSIC RED VELVET FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Thoroughly spray a large (18-by-12-inch) sheet cake pan (or you can use a slightly smaller jelly roll pan) with nonstick baking spray. Be sure to get in all the corners of the pan.
• Sift together the cake flour and salt. Set aside. In a separate bowl, stir together the buttermilk, vanilla, baking soda and eggs. Add the vinegar and stir. Set aside.
• In a separate small bowl, mix together the cocoa and red food coloring. Set aside. Cream together the shortening and sugar until fluffy. Alternate adding the flour mixture and the buttermilk/egg mixture until all combined. Pour in the red mixture and beat until combined.
• Pour the batter into the prepared sheet cake pan. Use a large offset spatula or knife to even out the surface. Bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the oven and allow the cake to cool in the pan for 20 minutes.
• Place a large cutting board on top of the cake pan, then invert the cake, allowing it to turn out onto the cutting board. Allow the cake to cool completely before icing.
• Combine the milk and flour in a saucepan over medium heat and whisk constantly until thick. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Add the vanilla once cooled.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the cooled milk mixture and beat very well. It may look separated, which means you have to keep beating until fully combined. It should be fluffy and light, similar to whipped cream.
• Ice the cake and top with raspberries.

RED VELVET CUPCAKES WITH MASCARPONE CREAM CHEESE ICING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease jumbo muffin cups (3 1/2 inches in diameter and 2 inches deep) with butter or cooking spray, and lightly flour them, knocking out the excess flour, or line them with baking papers.
• In a small bowl, stir the food coloring and cocoa powder together to make a smooth paste. Set aside. Using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and the sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition, then add the cocoa paste while continuing to beat. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and beat the batter for about 4 minutes. In a medium bowl, sift together the cake flour, all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda. Stir the vanilla into the buttermilk (this can be done in the measuring cup). Add the flour mixture in 3 increments alternately with the buttermilk in 2 increments, starting and ending with the flour. Beat on medium speed just until the ingredients are combined. Add the sour cream and vinegar and beat on low speed until combined.
• Fill the muffin cups three-fourths full with batter. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, just until the cupcakes feel firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Do not overbake, or the cupcakes will dry out. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pans for 5 minutes, then unmold onto a wire rack and let cool completely before frosting.
• To make the icing: In the large bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the mascarpone on very low speed until just combined. (Be careful; once you've added the mascarpone, excessive beating can make the frosting curdle.) Stir in the vanilla or mint extract.
• Frost the top of each muffin with the icing. Sprinkle the crushed peppermint candy, if using, evenly on the cupcakes.

RED VELVET CAKE ICING

Steps:

• Softly whip cream by hand, in electric mixer or in food processor. Cover in bowl and refrigerate.
• Blend cream cheese and mascarpone in food processor or electric mixer until smooth. Add vanilla, pulse briefly, and add confectioners' sugar. Blend well.
• Transfer cream cheese mixture to bowl; fold in whipped cream. Refrigerate until needed.