Monday 19 October 2009

Red Velvet



Last Wednesday night I whipped up some red velvet cupcakes to bring in to work. Red Velvet is a bit of a shocker in England, and the reception is a fine line between suspicion and delight.

The first time I made red velvet, I was under an illusion that I could create a natural, wholesome, organic version using beetroot. So I did a test kitchen and, (surprise, surprise) no luck. If you want the kind of red cake I want, you've got to dive deep into E numbers.  The result is stunning. Artificial, but stunning. My ultimate compliment was when my friend Emily told me she dreamed about my red velvet cake. How do you beat that?!

So, next on the cupcake agenda is preparing for the November Iron Cupcake competition. The theme this month is 'spice', and I'm out of ideas.

I've already used up my spiciest recipes: Cinnabon cupcake and Chai Tea Latte cupcake.  I don't want to do pumpkin pie. Help! The only thing I can think about is a Spice Girls cupcake, so you can see that I need some assistance.

If anyone has suggestions for a spicy lil' cupcake please let me know! Or even just unorthodox spice combos. I'm open for suggestion.

10 comments:

heather b said...

what about a gingerbread cupcake, with maybe a fancy whipped cream frosting (brandy, bourbon, brown sugar, or something else complimentary)?

i wish i were there to sample whatever you come up with!! :)

Jessica said...

gingerbread with maple cream frosting?

apple spice cupcakes and cream cheese frosting dusted with nutmeg?

orange spice cupcakes with frosting and a curl of candied orange peel on top?

You're making me want to bake!!:)

amyrenee said...

Dude, I was just going to say "have you thought about ginger?" But, after reading these lovely ladies suggestions, that sounds kind of amateur.

So, I'll leave it to them, and vote on the gingerbread with a bourbon frosting. Wish I was there to help!

Nadine said...

How fun!! I love that you do these cupcake competitions!!

For spice, you could also interpret it differently and make a hot once. Like one with some jalapeno in it or some chili oil.

Can't wait to see what you do!!

E. E. Smith said...

Okay here are a few ideas:

-Spiced apple with cinnamon

-Lemongrass-ginger

-Cayenne and dark chocolate (really yummy combo)

-Lavender cupcakes

-Basil-lemon mini cheesecakes

Good luck!

Pat said...

ooh, try the cayenne and dark chocolate...you can call it 'mexican spiced coco'- that sounds amazing!

Pat said...

oops, that was Jenny, not my mom!

Anonymous said...

You should do something with Turmeric. You could do a crazy frosting. A light spice with a wild color.

Vanessa said...

I can't believe all the amazing suggestions!

As soon as I read your Spice Girls suggestion, I thought 'ginger spice' - ginger cupcake. Then I read what everyone one else wrote and couldn't help being ashamed of myself! :-P

alisha said...

Wow, great suggestions! I told myself I wouldn't get too obsessed with it, but that may prove difficult. It think my top choices so far are:

* 'Ginger Spice': gingerbread wtih bourbon frosting

* 'Mexican Spice': Chocolate, cayenne & cinnamon

* Red Hot Velvet: Red velvet somehow incorporating cinnamon

I feel much more inspired - thanks!

Related Posts with Thumbnails