Friday, May 13, 2011

Red Velvet Cupcakes - Beets Please!


I am tired and because of that I just couldn't make up my mind what to bake for the store this week. Just too tired. So I went with safety. Something I know and don't have to think about. I made a few changes. Less cream cheese in the frosting (& I actually liked it much better (consistancy and taste!) and sprinkled red velvet crumbs on the tops of each, But as I was baking, I realized I don't know anything about the history of Red Velvet Recipes and why they are so popular. I also realized that this has been written about many times on many other blogs so I won't be redundant. But I have to mention what I thought was interesting and just maybe there are people out there like me who are just seeing this info for the 1st time. I also realized that I will use beets the next time I make these, The food coloring thinng just really bothers me. Would I select a Red Velvet Cupcake as my 1st choice in a bakery. NO! & basically because of the food coloring. So my question to you is, do you like red velvet cupcakes? Would they be a 1st choice?

 So here are a few facts I thought were interesting.  Short & Sweet!

"James Beard's 1972 reference American Cookery[2] describes three red velvet cakes varying in the amounts of shortening and butter. All use red food coloring, but the reaction of acidic vinegar and buttermilk tends to better reveal the red anthocyanin in the cocoa. Before more alkaline "Dutch Processed" cocoa was widely available, the red color would have been more pronounced. This natural tinting may have been the source for the name "Red Velvet" as well as "Devil's Food" and similar names for chocolate cakes.[3][1] While foods were rationed during World War II, bakers used boiled beets to enhance the color of their cakes. Boiled grated beets or beet baby food are found in some red velvet cake recipes, where they also serve to retain moisture."


A resurgence in the popularity of this cake is partly attributed to the 1989 film Steel Magnolias in which the groom's cake (a southern tradition) is a red velvet cake made in the shape of an armadillo. (I loved this movie but have no recollection of this)



So I am now on a quest to find a good Red Velvet recipe that uses beets.  Checking out a few sites, one mentioned Moosewood Cookbook of Desserts.

One more and this looks wonderful!   http://www.coconutandlime.com/2009/05/cant-beet-red-velvet-cupcakes.html
will post after I try this! 

Please let me know what you think about Red Velvet Cupcakes and while you're at it - subscribe!

12 comments:

  1. Hello! Happily following from WW. I'd love if you'd consider following me back. Thanks, Malia
    www.yesterdayontuesday.com

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  2. I love red velvet! And I love cream cheese frosting...so you just made me have a major craving. Those look so good!

    I had never heard of the beets in red velvet, that sounds strange but intriguing! I hope you have a great day. :)

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  3. I'm not sure if red velvet would be my first choice at a bakery, but if it was between that and a cupcake that says "beets"....red velvet would win. Can't wait to see what you find!

    I'm a new follower from the W/W blog hop--would love a follow back!

    www.cookinformycaptain.blogspot.com

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  4. Yummy red velvet!

    I’m a new follower from the Alexa Blog Hop.
    Please stop on by and follow me at http://www.mommydigger.com and say hello :)

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  5. So cute! Hi! Following you from the Welcome Wednesday hop! Hope you visit My Cajun blog and return the follow!
    - Jessica @ http://cajunlicious.com

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  6. Those look delish! Thanks for joining our Thankful for Friends Thursday hop! Hope to see you again at www.crunchyfrugalista.com
    Ashley

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  7. These look very tasty. To your question, whether or not I would chose Red Velvet Cupcakes as a first choice in a bakery. I'm not sure. My husband made me a Red Velvet Cake one time for my birthday (only it was purple because I love purple) and it was yummie. We did buy a big thing full of Red Velvet Cupcakes from Costco on the weekend for $10. I think there were only 9 cupcakes in it and I really didn't think it was worth the money, wouldn't spend it again. I realize this is Costco, but they sometimes have really yummie treats, so hope this is helpful. :-)

    Following you from the Thankful for Friends Thursday Blog Hop - feel free to follow back.

    http://helpfuldaddy.blogspot.com

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  8. WEll you can never go wrong with a velvet cupcake! These look so yummy!!

    Delighted Momma

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  9. I am interested in what you find. I hate the taste of red velvet cupcakes. I can always taste the coloring, even if it's just a hint of aftertaste.

    I'm stopping by from the blog hop. If you have a minute I'd love for you to stop by www.giveawaycorner.com, where we have giveaways every weekday. We're giving away a month of free advertising today!

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  10. oh yum!! This looks great! Thanks for linking this up to savory sunday!!


    please link up not to your site but to a certain post with a recipe :)

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  11. I too am so put off by the idea of using red food coloring. But for some reason I still am drawn to these little bites. I had no idea that beets are sometimes used as the coloring agent, absolutely genius! I would definitely want to try that recipe instead!

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  12. Hey! New follower here! I love this post. I have a really hard time when it comes to red food coloring. Did you know that red especially exasperates ADD symptoms? I love the idea of using beets and plant to try it soon!

    www.preciouscargobakery.blogspot.com

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