Is Red Velvet Cake Just Chocolate

What Is Ruddy Velvet Cake⁠—And How Is It Different Than Devil's Food?

Information technology's more than food coloring.

Cherry velvet cake: You know it, y'all dearest it, you require it. But do yous know what information technology actually is—and how it's different from regular ol' chocolate and devil's nutrient cakes? (Because information technology actually is a completely different thing!) Hither's what you demand to know:

What Is Ruddy Velvet Block?

Ruby-red Velvet Ice-Foam Cake

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Red velvet cake is a traditionally crimson-colored chocolate layer block with foam cheese icing. Information technology's normally made with a combination of buttermilk, butter, cocoa, vinegar, and flour.

Thought to have originated sometime in the Victorian Era, crimson velvet block was initially a high-forehead dessert reserved for the aristocracy or for special occasions.

Modern recipes ofttimes rely on nutrient coloring to enhance the cake's signature carmine hue (Beets were used during the Great Depression), but many experts believe the color comes from a chemical reaction: Natural cocoa powder contains anthocyanin, a compound found in fruits that creates dark-colored pigments. When anthocyanin interacts with an acrid, like the vinegar found in red velvet cakes, its color becomes red.

The true source of the pigment is a source of debate among historians and food scholars, though. Other experts believe the cake's name comes from its use of brown sugar, which used to be referred to as reddish sugar.

The cake owes its velvety texture to almond flour, cocoa, or cornstarch, according to The New York Times. These ingredients break down the protein in flour, resulting in a polish and silky cake.

Crimson Velvet vs. Devil's Food

Red Velvet Cake Getty 10/1/19

Credit: DebbiSmirnoff/Getty Images

In that location's a widely believed myth that ruddy velvet is just devil's food with food coloring. This couldn't be further from the truth—unique ingredients used in each traditional recipe make them ii completely different cakes.

Devil'due south food cake is a dense, rich type of chocolate layer block. Its proper name comes from a simple fact: Information technology is, quite literally, the contrary of the light and airy, white or yellowish angel food cake. It's oft made with sour cream and coffee to ensure a dumbo texture and intense chocolate flavor.

It as well typically calls for Dutch-process cocoa (cocoa that has been treated with an alkalizing agent).

Crimson velvet cake's signature tang comes from vinegar, an ingredient that isn't often found in devil'south food or classic chocolate cakes, and buttermilk. Cerise velvet recipes almost always call for natural cocoa to enhance its ruby color.

Cerise Velvet Recipes

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Red velvet transcends just block—the distinctive, tangy flavor has fabricated a proper name for itself throughout the wonderful world of desserts. Check out some of our favorite carmine velvet recipes, from cake to pancakes to cookies: