Name: Red Velvet Cake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 16 servings
Ingredients: 1/4 cup red food coloring ((2 ounces/60 grams)); 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder ((10 grams)); 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, or ¼ cup shortening and ¼ cup softened butter (65 to 67°F) ((3.5 ounces/100 grams)); 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar ((10.5 ounces/300 grams)); 2 large eggs ((6 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon/3.5 ounces/100 grams)); 1 tsp salt; 2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour or 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, sifted ((8.75 ounces/250 grams)); 1 cup buttermilk or sour milk (1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice plus milk to equal 1 cup) ((8.5 ounces/240 grams)); 1 tsp distilled white vinegar; 1 tsp baking soda; 1 cup cream cheese, softened ((8 ounces/225 grams)); 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, or Mascarpone cheese, at room temperature (65 to 67°F) ((1 stick/4 ounces/115 grams)); 1 lb confectioners' sugar, sifted ((4 cups/455 grams)); 1 tsp vanilla extract; 5 tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour ((1.25 ounces/35 grams)); 1 cup milk ((8.5 ounces/230 grams)); 1 cup unsalted butter, softened, or ½ cup butter and ½ cup vegetable shortening ((8 ounces/225 grams)); 1 cup granulated sugar ((7 ounces/200 grams)); 1 tsp vanilla extract