Red Velvet Cake Recipe with Beets

Red Velvet Cake Recipe with Beets

Background:
Ok, I'm incapable of sticking to one singular recipe...  before I forget, here's what I did... combo of all the other recipes...

Methods:

Red Velvet Cake Recipe (with beets)

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 c pureed cooked beets
2 1/4 cups flour 2c +4T flour
1/3 cup cocoa
2 tsp. baking soda 1tsp baking soda based on Johnny Iuzzini's recipe (http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/10/johnny-iuzzinis-chocolate-beet-cupcakes-recipe.html)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2/3 cup buttermilk
2 tsp. cider vinegar  2 tsp red wine vinegar  (based on http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=75605)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees .

Butter and flour two 9 inch cake pans.

Melt chocolate in double boiler and set aside .  Melt chocolate in microwave, 15 s at a time

Sift togetherMix flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.

In a bowl beat butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in chocolate.I accidentally added in the beets at this point... in four steps, alternately beat in flour mixture and buttermilk mixed with vinegar , beginning and ending with flour. I'd forgotten the chocolate and mixed it in midway.  Beat until incorporated. Add pureed beets and mix until well blended. 

Divide the batter between the pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean and top of cake springs back when lightly pressed.

Cool cakes in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes and invert onto racks to cool completely.


Results:
Half the audience liked the balance of lack of sweetness with the sweet frosting; another half thought it could use a little more sugar.  I'd repeat the recipe, but next time, perhaps add 3/4c of the brown sugar portion.

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Frosting:

2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

2 cups sweetened flaked coconut (about 6 ounces), divided

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Red-Velvet-Cupcakes-with-Coconut-and-Cream-Cheese-Frosting-235169#ixzz1F8evpuao