Red-Hot: Have a Red Velvet Valentine's Day, With Love from Cakespy

Valentine’s day, that polarizing bitch of a holiday, is just around the corner--a holiday loved or hated depending on romantic status. Well, this year we're raging against the red velvet chocolate box in favor of Red Velvet Cake! No problem if you're unattached-- just more cake for you. Really, no matter where you are in life and/or love, you're bound to have a sweet Valentine's Day with these red-hot Red Velvet suggestions:

Here: For if you, like the Cakespy headquarters, are in Seattle...

Seattle loves Red Velvet! If you're in the Emerald City, don’t miss some of our favorite Red Velvet cupcakes around, at Café Sweet Posie in Ballard—or try a slice at the Kingfish Cafe in Capitol Hill. South of Seattle? No problem--hello, cupcake in Tacoma's got you covered with sweet and adorable Red Velvet cupcakes with a southern (well, south of Seattle, anyway) flair!

There: Not in Seattle? Perhaps you can find Red Velvet Nirvana at one of these spots in your town:

If you’re in NYC, be sure to stop by Sugar Sweet Sunshine on Manhattan's Lower East Side for some of their Sexy Red Velvet Cake (photo left) which certainly lives up to its name! There’s also a damn fine one at Cake Man Raven, not to mention Cheeks Bakery--the latter two both in Brooklyn.

In Portland, we hear that Saint Cupcake makes a mean Vegan Red Velvet Cupcake, and their dairy ones are no slouch either (photo top)!

Or perhaps you’re in Chicago? Trust the expert opinion of Natalie from Bake + Destroy!, who suggests hitting up Molly's Cupcakes not only for their awesome Red Velvet cupcakes but for their cute decor too.

Or if you’re in San Francisco, check out Cake Gumshoe Bridget’s favorite: red velvet cupcakes from That Takes the Cake.

In central New Jersey, they really know how to make Red Velvet layer cakes right at The Baker Boys in Ocean Grove (photo left).

Even in Britain, you can still get your stateside fix: Outsider Tart, opened by American expats, happily serves up delicious Red Velvet in London.

Everywhere: Online and accessible no matter where you are:

Not into Red? Think Pink with the Pink Velvet Cake from Zabar’s (photo left), which can be shipped anywhere in the US (2-day shipping required). As an added bonus, part of the sale price goes toward Breast Cancer Research--and we can all feel good about contributing to that cause! Available at zabar.com.

On a diet? Shame on you. Nonetheless, we have a sweet and calorie-free suggestion: get crafty with Red Velvet Soap dyes from the lovely and amazing Brambleberry! 

Can’t bother with pre-orders or leaving the house? Well, we've got the thing for you, too: a recipe for Red Velvet Black and White Cookies, which will appear in an upcoming issue of Every Day With Rachael Ray:

Red Velvet Black & White Cookies

Makes 10 large cookies
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Bake Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups flour
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ½ cut buttermilk
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons corn syrup
• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350oF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.
2. Using a mixer, beat 5 tablespoons butter with the granulated sugar until fluffy, 3 minutes.

3. Beat in the egg, food coloring and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk until smooth.
4. Place ¼-cup scoops of batter 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet; spread out. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry, 12 to 15 minutes. Let the cookies sit for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool.
5. In a bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, remaining ½ teaspoon vanilla, 1 tablespoon corn syrup and 2 tablespoons hot water until smooth. In another bowl, combine the chocolate, remaining 3 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon corn syrup; microwave until melted, about 1 minute.
6. Coat the cookies with the vanilla, then the chocolate icing. Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes.

Happy Valentine's Day! Xoxoxo, Cakespy

Comments

[Happy cook]

Well this is a excelent cake for the valentines day

[bittersweetblog]

I can't say I'm a huge fan of red velvet, but those cakes pictures sure are lovely!

[Ann]

Awesome! How'd you get the Rachel Ray scoop?!

[T.W. Barritt]

I think you've just rescued Valentine's Day for me! Who needs romantic complications when there is Red Velvet Cupcakes?!

[bonnie]

ahhh~
red velvet cake my favorite. minus the cream cheese frosting~~
every birthday that is what i ask for.
red velvet with buttercream frosting.
my dad would always complain that it turned his poo red.
is that too much info?
sorry.

[Lydia]

Great idea! Although I do fear all that food colouring, they look lovely. My Cake Club is making cream-filled cupcakes tomorrow for our Valentines.

[Cakespy]

Happy Cook: Any day really, but especially for V-Day!

Bittersweetblog: Thank you! We may win you over yet.

Ann: What can we say, we are gumshoes...

TW: Well put. Who knows? "Leave the gun. Take the red velvet". No prisoners this Valentines Day!

Bonnie: That is just hilarious! With buttercream is fine by us too!

Lydia: Just close your eyes and it tastes delicious. ;-)

[Emiline]

I love, love, red velvet cake.
Geez, I really want to visit all of those places.

The cookies look great! Do you think they would be good for a Valentine's Day bakesale?

Happy Valentine's Day to you!

[Indigo]

I was about to bemoan the lack of British red velvet cake but then I scrolled down and realised you had one! Woop!

Might have to give those biscuits a try too ^__^ Happy Valentine's!

[Rosie]

Awe this is excellent for Valentines Day! I adore those red velvet cupcakes so beautiful and wow gorgeous looking cookies.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Rosie x

[Vegan_Noodle]

I love red velvet cake! I can vouch for the Saint cupcake version in Portland... visited there last year and made a specail trip for those little heavenly treats.
I may try my hand at making some red velvet cupcakes this Thursday for v-day. Hope you have a great valentine's too!
(oh, and hopefully later today I'll get my post up about the vegan sweets potluck featuring your artwork!)

[puglyfeet]

Ha! I'm going to bake red velvet cupcakes for a friend today -- what coincidence.

I'm a newbie to your blog and I'm completely smitten with it -- it's so adorable ... and Yummy!

[Maria]

Bing and I both adore red velvet cake, but....wow...she rarely eats sweets and I am trying to lose weight.

Well, frack it...I WANT one of those cuppy cakes.

[Milwaukee Cupcake Queen]

In MILWAUKEE??? Keep wantin'!
Because we just don't have any damn cupcakes! Start your car, fill it with gas and drive down to Swirlz or Molly's in Chicago! WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE OPEN A CUPCAKE SHOP IN MILWAUKEE!!!???!!!

[Ricki]

Probably not a good idea to be reading this entry while I was craving chocolate. . . it all looks heavenly. Excuse me while I go rummage through my pantry to see if I can whip up a modified version of those cookies!! :)

[NAME: CIELO]

Oh my God this is so amazing! I love cupcakes and have tried making pretty one like that many many times, but always fail. :(

I'll have to try your recipe. thank you for sharing your secrets to great cupcakes.

Cielo

[eatme_delicious]

Mmm I want to make red velvet cake! I've only tried it once.

[cotton candy]

i don't have a guy to make this too (lol! =p) but who cares, im going to make it for myself!! yum yum yum!!

[Freshly Found]

Well I have learn't about red velvet cake. It must be an American thing. I don't think I have heard about it here!

[familiabencomo]

You know.... I don't think I've EVER had a Red Velvet cake or cupcake. Obviously, I've been living under a rock. Thank you for the inspiration! I'm going to bake cupcakes for my son's V-day party. I hope it's good - the worse critics are 8 & 9 yr olds - they leave nothing unsaid!

I love your blog! xoxox Amy

[Diana Evans]

what a great blog....thanks for popping by and checking out my "sweet" illustrations and I will be back for more...

Have a wonderful day...

Cheers,
Diana

[Abbey Goes Design Scouting]

Jessie, i am giving you a “you make my day” award since you are so fabulous see my blog for details... xoxo Abbey

[Janice C. Cartier]

Yum a rum!!!! Cake on the mind today. Now mouth is watering even more. All best, Jan

[Patricia Scarpin]

I love the idea of a pink cake - and these cupcakes are just lovely!

[JennDZ - The Leftover Queen]

Red Velvet is just all the rage now! But who could blame it as it is so striking and beautiful! Nice photos!