Granny Ruth's Red Velvet Cake

To call this simply 'cake' would be an understatement, it's an experience. You've never really had red velvet cake until you've had this one. You won't believe the secret ingredient.



I'm not sure where Granny Ruth (pictured) got the recipe, but she'd been making it since before sis was a wee baby.

While we're lingering here in 1987 (this shot taken just a couple of years before she passed) check out this view! This is Granny standing in her yard, and, on a clear day, you could see our house way, way off in the distance to the left. You could see my paternal grandparent's farm just outside this shot to the right. This is where I grew up. Truly beautiful country down around Belvidere, TN.

Thanks to Aunt Pam Jackson for passing along the recipe. If you decide to make it, please post comments, I would love to know what you think!


Granny Ruth's Red Velvet Cake
2-1/2 cups self-rising flour
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 c buttermilk
1c Reddenbacher Popcorn Oil (crazy, but trust me here- no substitutes!)
1/2 c vegetable oil
1 teaspoon cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 bottle red food coloring (or however much you have left over from Christmas cookie baking)

Mix all ingredients together until mixed thoroughly. Pour into either two round cake pans or one 9-1/2 X 13 pan, sprayed good with cooking spray, and bake in oven at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes.

Icing:
1 box powdered sugar
1 stick margarine
1 8oz. cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla
Cream margarine and cream cheese together with mixer; add powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix thoroughly and frost cake.