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–+ servings

Waldorf Astoria Red Velvet Cake

My beloved Grandma was gifted this original recipe from a friend who had worked at the Waldorf Astoria many years ago. Each year, she made this special treat for me on my birthday. It's not a quick recipe, but the time and number of ingredients are well worth the result. I remember Grandma's beaming smile as she sang Happy Birthday to me with the candles burning atop her homemade treasure.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
frosting and special touches 10 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 383 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup shortening
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 ounces red food coloring
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 ¼ cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vinegar

FROSTING

  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 cup butter must be butter

Instructions
 

Make the Cake

  • Grease and flour 4 8 inch cake pans. Or, use 2 8-inch pans and see notes below.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F
  • In a large bowl, cream shortening, sugar and eggs.
  • Make a paste of food coloring and cocoa.
  • Add to creamed mixture.
  • Mix flour and salt. Add to the creamed mixture, alternating with the buttermilk
  • Mix in vanilla.
  • Add soda to vinegar, and blend into the batter.
  • Pour into cake pans.
  • Bake at 350°F for 24-30 minutes.
  • Split into layers (see notes below). Fill and frost with the following frosting.

Frosting: Add milk to flour slowly, avoiding lumps.

  • Mix flour and milk. Cook over medium heat until very thick, stirring constantly.
  • Cool completely.
  • Cream sugar, butter and vanilla until fluffy.
  • Add to cooked mixture.
  • Beat on high speed until very light and fluffy.

Notes

Note:

When using 2 cake pans, allow about 7-10 minutes longer to bake but watch closely to avoid overbaking.
Use a wire or floss to cut each of the 2 layers into 2 more layers (4 layers total). While you want them fairly even, you can use frosting to fill in and level, as needed.
If you prefer lighter layers for more dimension, make the 4 layers (or 3) and cut each of them in half (to create 8 layers). This makes a very stunning display when cut!

Nutrition

Calories: 383kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 6gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 348mgPotassium: 140mgFiber: 1gSugar: 45gVitamin A: 139IUCalcium: 79mgIron: 2mg
Keyword birthday cake, cake
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