Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese and Toasted Coconut

Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese and Toasted Coconut

Cake

• • 2 1/4 cups cake flour or all-purpose flour

  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar

  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

  • 4 eggs

  • 1 cup oil

  • 1 2/3 cups full-fat buttermilk

  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

  • red gel food coloring

Buttercream

• • 1 1/2 cups sweetened coconut flakes

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

  • 4 1/2 - 5 cups powdered sugar

  • 2 tablespoons meringue powder

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla

  • milk or cream, if needed

Baker's Note: The chocolate paws are made from bittersweet chocolate chips (pressed pointed side towards the cake) and chocolate candy melts.

Cake.

Preheat the oven to 350, and spray the bottoms only of three 8-inch round cake pans with non-stick spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt and baking soda. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla and food coloring. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and whisk vigorously for several minutes until smooth and well blended. Divide batter between the pans.

Bake cakes on the middle rack for 25-28 minutes, until the centers spring back when lightly touched and a toothpick comes out clean. Set on wire racks, covered loosely with a clean kitchen towel, and cool completely in the pans.

Buttercream:

Spread the coconut on a baking sheet and toast in a 300 degree oven for about 10 minutes, stirring once or twice so the edges don't get too dark, until lightly browned. Set aside to cool completely.

In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the butter and cream cheese for 1-2 minutes until incorporated. Gradually add the powdered sugar and meringue powder, mixing on low to combine. Add the vanilla and increase speed to medium and beat for several minutes until smooth and creamy. Add a tablespoon or two of milk or cream if needed to thin the consistency.

Assemble the cake layers by frosting each with the buttercream and sprinkling with coconut before adding the next layer. Sprinkle the rest of the coconut on top of the cake.

Recipe from Curly Girl Kitchen