Spiced Red Velvet Cake Recipe

Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Prepare heart shaped pans by lightly spraying with non-stick spray like Baker’s Joy®.
3. In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves; set aside.
4. In a small bowl, combine buttermilk, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar; set aside.
5. Using a mixer, cream together sugar and butter until well blended and creamy; about 3-5 minutes on med-high speed.
6. Add eggs one at a time and mix until well blended. Scrape the sides of the bowl.
7. Alternate adding the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture on low speed until all the flour is incorporated.
8. Spoon batter into pans.
9. Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
10. Let cool in pans on wire rack 5 minutes, then use a knife to slice off any excess domes.
11. Remove cupcakes from pans and cool completely on wire racks.

Icing to Cover Cakes

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and the meringue powder.
2. Slowly add water ¼ tsp. at a time while whisking until a thick, but pourable icing is formed (thick is better than thin).
3. Divide the mixture into several small bowls.
4. Add food coloring to each bowl and mix until you have reached your desired colors.
5. Place a wire rack over a parchment lined baking sheet and place the cakes on the rack.
6. Pour a generous amount of icing over the cakes, using an offset spatula to push the icing over the edges of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides.*
7. Allow the cakes to dry completely before writing on them or moving them.

Icing for Writing

1. In a stand mixer, blend together the shortening and powdered sugar.
2. Slowly add milk while the mixer is running on medium-low speed.
3. Keep adding small amounts of milk until the icing is piping consistency.
4. Place the icing in a piping bag with a #2 or #3 tip and use it to write cute messages!