Red Velvet Cake

Today, it was my fathers birthday. He usually doesn't like to do anything to extravagant for his birthday. He prefers to just have a relaxing day from everything really. My father is a hard working business man and spends every second of the day dealing with work. He'll get calls at midnight from workers asking him what to do or that they need help. Managing the Orange Business with orange pickers whom tend to forget a lot of things you tell them to do can be rather annoying...

My dad is always thankful whenever he gets a day to just relax and not have a care in the world (though, I think anyone would like days like that). I to like to just relax on my birthday. Its a day in celebration of you. Spend it as you'd want. Which is what my dad did. He had my nana and grandpa (his parents) come over for the day and to have a cook out. Trevor's little friend Phillip as well as Chris also came. My fathers wanted steak, potato's, corn and... His all time favorite cake... Red Velvet Cake.

My dads not to much of a sweet person (nor is many in my family) but when it comes to Red Velvet Cake, my dads all over it. I too have to say that it's a pretty darn delicious cake. One of the best really. And I wanted to make this for my dad on his birthday. The cake is so moist, a very light cake, and so delicious it'll leave you wanting seconds. It's amazing.

Cake

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1 ounce red food coloring
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 tbsp. butter, softened
2 tbsp. sour cream
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners' sugar


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two round 9-inch cake pans.

2. For the cake, Sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; set aside. Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl with electric mixer until fluffy, about 5 to 7 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time. Mix in sour cream, milk, food color and vanilla. Gradually blend in flour mixture, just until incorporated. Do not over blend.

3. Pour batter into cake pans evenly. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan to cool completely on wire rack.

4. For the frosting, beat cream cheese, butter and sour cream in a medium bowl. Add the vanilla and the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth. Cool cake completely before frosting. If desired, sprinkle top of cake with chopped nuts and/or sprinkles.

Makes 12-16 servings

Dad relaxing.

Here's Trevor and his cute little friend Phillip.

My nana. She's a cutie.

My mom... She has a horrible habit.