Connie’s Red Velvet Cake

Every woman in Watervalley has a recipe for Red Velvet Cake. I’ve tried all of them and some are only slightly preferable to hunger. But without a doubt, my cousin Imogene’s Red Velvet Cake recipe is the best. It’s like a party in your mouth.

But Imogene is not the most likeable soul. She’s a judgmental old maid who always looks like she just swallowed vinegar. It seems unfair that time could have done all that to just one face. On most occasions, just keeping her mouth shut is often her greatest accomplishment. I asked her once why she never seemed to like anyone. She said that was true but that they didn’t like her first. Even still, everyone invites her to parties and family gatherings just so she’ll bring her Red Velvet Cake. It’s the saving grace of a woman who otherwise has the charisma of a potato.

But recently an older gentleman has taken an interest in Imogene. He’s a widower who’s hard of hearing. Since Imogene has a voice like Foghorn Leghorn, they make a pretty good pair. So Imogene stopped by one day, asking my help in wooing this fellow and would I please do what I could to help her out. She wanted my recipe for pot roast, which everyone in Watervalley agrees is like a day trip to heaven. I told her I would trade her for her Red Velvet Cake recipe.

At first she looked at me like I was emanating a bad smell and refused. So I quickly reminded her that it didn’t feel like we are building team skills here. I was just about the quote a little Hebrews, Chapter 13 about doing good and sharing with others, but fortunately the Spirit must have moved her first.

I have tweaked Imogene’s recipe to its final perfection. Make it and you’ll love it! Then again, if baking is not your thing…we always have plenty on hand at the Sweetlife Bakery. So, put a little gravel in your travel and come to Watervalley and pay us a visit. I’ll even give you my recipe for pot roast!

Red Velvet Cake with Classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

For the Cake

1 ½ Cups Sugar

2 Eggs

2 Cups Flour

1 Cup Crisco

1 Teaspoon Salt

1 Tablespoon Cocoa

1 Cup Buttermilk

2 Ounces, Red Food Coloring

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

1 Teaspoon Soda in 1 Tablespoon Vinegar

Cream sugar and shortening. Add eggs and beat well. Sift together flour, salt and cocoa. Add alternately to cream mixture with buttermilk. Add vanilla and food coloring to mixture. Fold in soda and vinegar mixture with a spoon (do not use mixer for this part.)

Bake in two 9 inch pans at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool and layer thickly with frosting.