Move over cheesecake. Step aside pumpkin pie. It's RV parking only on the bakery shelves these days. Chocolate cake, cream cheese frosting, and red dye - how can you resist the red velvet? You can't. And neither can anyone else. Red velvet is the new "it" dessert. But 2005 is not red velvet's first time in the spotlight. Though often associated with the American South, urban legend has it that red velvet cake was invented at Manhattan's Waldorf Astoria Hotel in the 1930s. The cake hit peak popularity in the 50s and 60s - they even had red velvet bake-offs (Why, God, why wasn't I born earlier?). But the 70s were not kind to red velvet - due to that pesky little link between red dye #2 and cancer. But the reinstatement of the red M&M paved the way for a red velvet return. And this time, I think it's here to stay. Um, hello Vermont? I need to speak to Ben and/or Jerry ASAP.
Seeing Red
From the chowhound message boards to Martha Stewart to Gilmore Girls, red velvet is getting shout outs all over the place. For those in LA, Sprinkles, Buttercake Bakery, and Doughboys all have excellent versions. Krystal Ball predicts that chains like that The Cheesecake Factory will get in on the velvet action any day now. And after the chains, come the supers. Sometime next year, expect to find red velvet in your local Ralph's, sandwiched between the angel food and the sock-it-to-me.
Red Herrings
Like any trend, this one is sure to spawn several cheap knock-offs (I'm sorry El DeBarge, but you'll never be Prince). Just remember: accept no imitations. LA's Jack and Jill's has something called Pink Velvet, but it's got no chocolate and no cream cheese frosting. Nice try guys, but I'm not buying it. On the Apprentice 2, one of the teams made Red Velvet Ice Cream, but the final product was raspberry and white chocolate flavored. I have two words for team Apex: shut it.
Red Handed
Don't want to waste time sorting through designer impostors? Why not just make your own? There are hundreds of variations on the recipe, but here's a link to one that's a good starting place.
Red-Letter Days
Though a popular wedding cake (Steel Magnolias, anyone?), getting hitched is not the only occasion for rolling out the red velvet carpet. Check it out:
Valentine's - Red Hot Velvet Cake
Heart-shaped cake pans plus a few "Call Me" or "Love Ya" candy hearts on top and viola! The perfect V-day dessert for your sweetie or for sitting at home watching a "Cribs" marathon and sobbing uncontrollably, not that I know anything about that.
It's always so hard to find something to munch on while watching Mr. O'Brien blow off a few fingers. The answer is finally here: sprinkle some blueberries over the frosting to turn red velvet cake into a patriotic summery dessert.4th of July - Red, White, and Blue Velvet Cake
Halloween - Blood Velvet Cake
Affix a few plastic spiders and tell everyone you donated a pint for the cause. Goes well with vampire and slutty vampire costumes.
Christmas - Red and Green Velvet Cake
Add some green food dye to the frosting to make red velvet cake merry. But remember: a little green goes a long way. You don't want guests to feel like the Grinch threw up on your serving plate.
Red Krystal
Okay, time to go prepare for my Vodkalicious birthday party where I'm serving- you guessed it - red velvet cake.
