BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – HAVE you had a chance to indulge in St. Kitts’ newest guilty pleasure? The Red Velvet Cake craze has certainly caught on in St. Kitts as more and more people are requesting this devilish delight.
And now that Valentine’s Day is a few days away, several companies and bakers are offering Red Velvet cake specials and even cupcakes.
One such company is Island Bakery; as a part of their Valentine’s Day Special they are offering Red Velvet cupcakes.
SKNVibes spoke with Pastry Chef, Tamara Symonds who introduced the Red Velvet Cakes and cupcakes at the bakery in December 2011.
“Red Velvet is a favorite of many people; they would travel to the US and get it there specifically New York, so I started making it at home and realized that people loved it, so then I introduced it to the bakery,” she said.
She said that this special cake is made using the same procedure as regular cakes and includes ingredients such as vegetable oil, buttermilk (which they make from scratch), flour, sugar, red food colouring, cocoa and vanilla.
“It’s not a chocolate cake; the cocoa helps to give it that rich burgundy colour but it’s not chocolate,” she said.
So what does it taste like?
“I’ve eaten so much of it,” she said, “and it’s like that commercial that says - when you’re eating a York peppermint patti that it’s a climatic experience – that’s what it’s like especially with the cream in the middle.”
With the cupcakes, Symonds said they have found a way to add the cream cheese in the middle of the cupcakes so persons can have the same experience they would have when they bite into a slice of red velvet cake.
Their cream is also made with their own special ingredients.
So on February 14, those who have not been a part of the red velvet craze can bite into one as the bakery will be offering a special of six cupcakes for EC $30, chocolate cupcakes for EC $40 and also gift baskets filled with various items including cupcakes and champagne for EC $135.
Every purchase will also allow the spender a chance to win a dinner for two at La Belle Vie and orders must be placed by Monday, February 13.
Persons should call 466-4784 for more details and to place their orders.
According to Symonds the chocolate cupcakes will be filled with chocolate mousse filling.
“Everyone’s with the ‘red’ so we thought why not keep with the theme and sell red velvet cakes. It’s a good seller, if no one has had any as yet they should try; it’s on par with the ones in New York,” Symonds said.
Yonik Brand, assistant pastry chef, said that they have special orders for the red velvet cake and cupcakes and they will introduce a Red Velvet Day at the bakery shortly.
Symonds said that the Black Forest cake is another favorite that she is thinking about introducing but it will be done by special offers as the champagne that is an included ingredient is quite costly.
According to an online source, a red velvet cake is a popular cake with a dark red, bright red or red-brown color. It is usually prepared as a layer cake topped with a creamy vanilla icing or most popularly, cream cheese icing. The reddish-brown color of the cake was originally from a reaction of the cocoa powder with an acidic ingredient such as buttermilk; however red food coloring is often added.
Common ingredients include buttermilk, butter, flour, cocoa, and beetroot or red food coloring. The amount of cocoa used varies in different recipes. Cream cheese frosting is most commonly paired with the cake, as well as the traditional butter cream.
What is it about this close cousin of the devil food cake family that has many people so addicted? For some it’s the taste; it’s the hint of cocoa flavour, while some enjoy the mixture of the cream with the actual cake, whatever it is, it is a must have for this Valentine’s Day and any occasion.
