original recipe for red velvet cake-1963

Hartselle, AL
Updated on Feb 19, 2013

I got this recipe from Diane Small about 1963. I babysat for her children. I had the cake at her house and fell in love with it. I copied the recipe from a Nashville newspaper article on the recipe's origins from the Waldorff Astoria Hotel in NYC. I know the recipe is over 50 years old. It is a family favorite. I am including the directions for the original icing.I could never get it right. My mother in law could and it is good. Most people prefer to use a cream cheese frosting. I'm sorry I don't have a picture to add. Enjoy!

prep time 45 Min
cook time 30 Min
method Bake
yield 12 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup - buttermilk
  • 2 ozs. - red food coloring
  • 2 1/4 cups - cake flour
  • 1/2 cup - shortening
  • 1 1/2 cups - sugar
  • 3 Tbsp. - cocoa powder
  • 2 - eggs
  • 3/4 tsp. - salt
  • 1 tsp. - soda
  • 1 tsp. - vanilla
  • 1 Tbsp. - vinegar
  • MYSTERY ICING
  • 3 Tbsp. - flour
  • 1 cup - milk
  • 1 cup - butter
  • 1 cup - sugar
  • 1 tsp. - vanilla

How To Make original recipe for red velvet cake-1963

  • Step 1
    Heat oven to 350 degrees. Make a paste with cocoa and food coloring.
  • Step 2
    Cream shortening,sugar,and eggs.
  • Step 3
    Mix vanilla and buttermilk. Add alternately with flour to batter. Then add cocoa paste. Mix vinegar and soda and fold into batter. This makes three 8-inch layers.
  • Step 4
    For icing: Cook flour and milk until thick. Chill in refrigerator till cold. Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla tillvery creamy. Do not underbeat. Add milk mixture and beat till fluffy. Spread on cake.

Discover More

Category: Cakes
Method: Bake

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