Red Velvet Legend

[chubbyalaskagriz]

So, theres much hype and lore surrounding the ever-popular 'Red Velvet
Cake' yet when one does a bit of research and attempts to learn more
about its legendary status all that's really out there is the fact that
although it enjoys Iconic Southern status, it may have actually
originated at the Waldorf-Astoria in NYC!

And it appears to simply be a chocolate cake with the peculiarites of
vinegar and red food coloring added to the batter- though no one seems
to know WHY.

What a disappointment- there's gotta be more! Surely there's a real
story behind the legend? Do any of you have any other tid-bits of info
about this great American Cake?

[mrsjimmyp]

Well ....don't know the origines of the Red Velvet Cake but It is my daughters favorite cake and she always asks for it on her birthday.
Maybe it was called that because it has the look of Velvet with that dark red texture.

[chubbyalaskagriz]

I just figured a confection as grand as the Red Velvet Cake must have some fantastic story behind it other than the "bleedin' armadillo groom's-cake" reference from 'Steel Magnolia's'!

(by the way, Francie- nice new avatar! Is that your home? it's lovely!)

[Cook Chatty Cathy]

Yes Francie a lovely Avatar shot! Kev I like the one you have today on your sax, Ooops I mean kissing a fish hee-hee........

Just for the record..... Now don't Boo & Hiss me but I hate Red Velvet Cake it is too much food coloring for my likes and nothing more than all hype!!! Give me a good old Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese frosting and I am a happy camper!

[chubbyalaskagriz]

I agree, Cath... I personally think Red Velvet Cake is weird and over-rated, BUT I would change my mind all together and make nothing BUT Red Velvet Cakes for the rest of my days if it came with a truly sexy, seductive, epic story to describe where it comes from and why it's even here on this planet! Hell, even chicken gizzards, pickle relish and potato-eyes have a STORY, for cripes-sake! SURELY Red Velvet Cake does too! I'm holdin'-out that maybe mama knows a worthy tale to tell about it...

today's avatar is a 35lb. King Salmon caught by one of my DMO's (dish-machine-operators, or "dishwashers" in English!) at Greens Creek Mine Camp when he stepped outside for just a 10-minute smoke-break!

[mrsjimmyp]

Thanks griz and Cathy.....but no thats not my house griz...lol...just a pic I snagged. We do live in an old Farm House though that we are remoldeling.

Sexy...Seductive...hmmmm....maybe the Guy who created it had a Redhead he could not get outta his mind !

[chubbyalaskagriz]

Just happened onto this... I personally think the red jello is a much finer way of turning a cake blood-red than adding a ton of food coloring! Check it out...

Food & Drink : My My's Strawberry Layer Cake : Fine Living

[Keziah]

I've never heard of Red Velvet Cake, let alone tasted it.

I must Google it, it sounds mysterious. The legend of the Red Velvet Cake, could be best seller (with a little imagination)

[chubbyalaskagriz]

Keziah, Red Velvet Cake is one of those whacko American Traditions that just seems not to have a story good enuf to live up to its reputation! On the one hand we think of it as Southern- yet we hear it was first made in the kitchen of New York City's Waldorf Astoria Hotel! The cake is a DEEP, DEEP RED and slathered in cream cheese frosting. I've had several tastes and golly if I don't really find anything that special about it at all. I wish I loved it. I wish it had an incredible history with a colorful, perhaps even checkered past! Alas, it appears to be a boring dud.

Red Velvet Cake with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

[Keziah]

argggh!!
How disapointing. I had visions of all sorts going around in my head, scarey yet romantic highway men, or creepy lady ghosts wearing red velvet dresses.

Ah well, there you go.