Red Velvet Cake

Up until recently, I had never had the pleasure of eating red velvet cake. I tried this traditional southern cake for the first time when my moms crazy friend treated us to a spiffy/expensive restaurant in vegas.

Can I just say....this instantly became one of my favorite cakes the instant it entered my mouth. It is the richest, most moist, flavorful, creamy, (insert yummy adjective) that I have EVER had. I could not really pinpoint the flavor; usually its pretty easy...like "oh! this cake is strawberry! this cake is vanilla! This is a chocolate cake!" Not red velvet though...after I left vegas I only had a really lovely memory of this cake, but I honestly could not remember the flavor.

I went home and I thought about this cake for months and FINALLY I decided it was time for me to try making it (instead of dreaming about it). I was a bit reluctant at first because I could not remember specifically what it tasted like...and its pretty hard to replicate a traditional cake without knowledge of what it should taste like! ( i cant say hmm i think this needs more ___!)

For those of you that don't know, this cake, while it does not taste like a chocolate cake, is flavored with BOTH vanilla extract and cocoa powder!! I feel like I threw myself into making this cake with both eyes closed....but....it came out wonderful! Moist, rich, creamy....

Do not attempt to make this if you or anyone else in the family are trying to drop a few pounds...this cake is RICH. To make it the moist texture that it is, there is a LOT of oil involved and the creamy frosting is deeeelicious and made of cream cheese and butter and sugar.

If looking for a recipe, make sure the chef has a good history of great southern recipes :)