This cake works or all occasions, including birthdays and holidays. But it's deep reddish hue makes it especially festive for Valentine's Day, 4th of July, and Christmas.
3 tablespoons plain rice milk (or milk alternative of choice)
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
For the Red Velvet Cake
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two 8-inch round cake pans, line with cutout parchment paper, grease again, and dust with a little cocoa powder.
Whisk together the flour mix, cocoa powder, xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Combine the rice milk and cider vinegar in a medium bowl.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the shortening, sugar, egg replacer, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the food coloring and mix until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Sift in the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the rice milk mixture, and beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat until smooth, about 30 seconds, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Divide the batter between the two pans, and smooth down the surface using a frosting spatula.
Bake in the center of the oven for about 35 minutes, or until the cake is beginning to pull away from the sides of the pan and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Rotate the pans halfway through the baking time.
Let cool in the pans on a cooling rack for 30 minutes. Cover the cake pan with a large plate, flip, peel off the parchment paper, and flip the cake back onto the rack, right side up, to cool completely. Repeat with the other cake.
Once the cakes have cooled completely, you may use a serrated knife to trim the tops to make them level.
For the Velvet Frosting
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the shortening and salt on medium speed for 1 minute.
Add the confectioners’ sugar in three batches, beating after each addition.
Add the rice milk, lemon juice, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until smooth, creamy, and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
Frost the cake with the Velvet Frosting.
Once the frosting has set, store covered at room temperature. This cake is even better on days two and three.