Tia Merna's Christmas Cookie Cake
(Red Velvet Cake)


Makes one 8-inch cake

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pans
  • 2 1/2 cups cake flour (not self-rising), sifted, plus more for pans
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 one-ounce bottles liquid red food coloring
  • 3 tablespoons lukewarm water
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 8-by-2-inch round cake pans or 9x13 pan or use cupcakes. Dust with flour, and tap out the excess; set aside. In a medium bowl, sift together cake flour, cocoa, and baking powder; set aside.
  2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and sugar, and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 15 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla, salt, food coloring, and water; beat, scraping down the sides of the bowl, until well combined. Add reserved dry ingredients in additions, alternating with the buttermilk; beat on low speed until well combined.
  3. In a small bowl, stir together baking soda and vinegar; add to batter. Beat on medium speed for 10 seconds. Be sure not to over beat. Divide batter between prepared pans, and bake until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from pans if desired and cool before icing them.

Cream Cheese Icing:

Makes 2 cups

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 (8-ounce) cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Place butter in bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, and beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add cream cheese, and beat until well combined and fluffy, about 2 minutes more. Add sugar and vanilla, and beat until combined, about 2 minutes.

Ice cake or cupcakes and enjoy!

Two of my nephews would get this cake every summer, since they didn't always make it home for Christmas. I made a special one for them each year. They would call it the 'cookie cake'.... because they thought it tasted like a cookie. 


Submitted by Merna