Why Is Red Velvet Cake Red?

Why is Red Velvet Cake red? Blame it on the anthocyanin that is found in natural cocoa, but blame the artificial aspect of it on the Adams Extract & Spice Company. Or, if you’re fancy, blame the Waldorf-Astoria. Don’t blame beets. The FDA says that the Red 40 dye in Red Velvet is safe … but they also OK’ed Skittles, so decide for yourself.

Trifle Improv 3

Martha Stewart’s coming over, and you polished off your croquembouche this morning for breakfast. All you’ve got is some Red Velvet brownies that are too dry to serve. Or maybe some leftover cheesecake. Well, fret no more. You can improvise a triple-chocolate trifle with whipped cream, pudding, and a little bit of cream cheese. Don’t tell her that you melted your chocolate in the microwave, though, or she’ll pack her bags and split.

Trifle Improv 2

Angel food, brownies, pound cake, cheesecake: any of these can make a good foundation for a trifle. This is especially true for dry, over-baked, cakes. This post chronicles an improvisation that turned a Red Velvet Cheesecake into a rich, delicious trifle.