Prepare to embark on a culinary journey as we delve into the secrets of the Hummingbird Bakery’s Red Velvet Cake recipe. This iconic cake, renowned for its vibrant crimson hue and decadent cream cheese frosting, has captured the hearts of dessert enthusiasts worldwide.
Join us as we unveil the origins of this beloved recipe, gather the essential ingredients and equipment, and embark on a step-by-step guide to recreate this masterpiece in your own kitchen.
The Hummingbird Bakery, a charming establishment nestled in London’s vibrant Soho district, has garnered a reputation for its exceptional cakes and pastries. Among their creations, the Red Velvet Cake stands as a testament to their culinary expertise. With its moist and velvety texture, perfectly balanced sweetness, and striking appearance, this cake has become a symbol of indulgence and celebration.
Recipe Overview
The Hummingbird Bakery Red Velvet Cake is an iconic and delectable treat known for its vibrant red color, moist texture, and rich cream cheese frosting. This classic recipe originated from the Hummingbird Bakery, a renowned bakery in London, and has gained immense popularity worldwide.
Origin and Association with Hummingbird Bakery
The Hummingbird Bakery, founded by Tarek Malouf and his sister, started as a small bakery in London’s Notting Hill neighborhood in 2004. The bakery quickly gained recognition for its exceptional cakes, including the Red Velvet Cake, which became a signature item.
The recipe is closely associated with the Hummingbird Bakery and is often credited with popularizing red velvet cakes globally.
Ingredients and Equipment
Before embarking on this delightful culinary adventure, let’s gather the necessary ingredients and assemble the essential equipment. This will ensure a smooth and successful baking experience.
Our ingredient list includes:
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 1/4 cups, sifted for a light and airy texture.
- Sugar: 1 3/4 cups, granulated sugar for sweetness and structure.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: 1/2 cup, a high-quality brand like Hershey’s or Ghirardelli for rich chocolate flavor.
- Baking Powder: 1 1/2 teaspoons, double-acting to provide lift and a tender crumb.
- Baking Soda: 1 1/2 teaspoons, to react with the acidic ingredients and create bubbles for a fluffy cake.
- Salt: 1 teaspoon, to enhance the flavors and balance the sweetness.
- Eggs: 2 large, at room temperature for better emulsification and a smooth batter.
- Vegetable Oil: 1 cup, a neutral-flavored oil like canola or sunflower oil for moistness.
- Buttermilk: 1 cup, at room temperature to create a tender and velvety crumb.
- Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons, pure vanilla extract for a classic and aromatic flavor.
- Red Food Coloring: A few drops, to achieve that vibrant red velvet hue.
Now, let’s prepare our baking equipment:
- Mixing Bowls: Various sizes for mixing dry ingredients, wet ingredients, and combining the batter.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: A complete set for accurate measurements of ingredients.
- Whisk: For sifting dry ingredients and mixing the batter until smooth.
- Spatula: For gently folding ingredients together and scraping the bowl.
- 9-inch Round Cake Pan: Grease and flour the pan to prevent sticking.
- Parchment Paper: Cut a circle to line the bottom of the cake pan for easy removal.
- Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure even baking.
With these ingredients and equipment in place, we are ready to embark on the delightful journey of creating a stunning and delectable Red Velvet Cake.
Step-by-Step Guide
To craft the delectable Hummingbird Bakery Red Velvet Cake, embark on a culinary journey marked by precise measurements, careful mixing, and a touch of culinary artistry.
Before commencing, preheat your oven to the appropriate temperature and meticulously grease your cake pan, ensuring an effortless release of the baked masterpiece.
Preparing Dry Ingredients
In a capacious bowl, meticulously sift together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This harmonious blend forms the foundation of your velvety cake.
Mixing Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: softened unsalted butter, large eggs, buttermilk, pure vanilla extract, and red food coloring. This liquid symphony will impart richness, moisture, and the vibrant red hue that defines this iconic cake.
Combining Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gently incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, alternating between the two and stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this could result in a dense, less tender cake.
Baking the Cake
Pour the velvety batter into the prepared cake pan, ensuring even distribution. Place it in the preheated oven and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep a watchful eye to prevent overbaking.
Cooling the Cake
Upon emergence from the oven’s embrace, allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before attempting to frost it. This cooling period ensures the cake’s structural integrity and prevents crumbling.
Frosting and Decoration
The classic Hummingbird Bakery Red Velvet Cake is often paired with a rich and tangy cream cheese frosting. This luscious frosting complements the cake’s moist texture and vibrant red color, creating a truly indulgent dessert experience.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (2 sticks or 226 grams) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3 cups (360 grams) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
Method:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, beating on low speed until well combined.
- Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for 2-3 minutes, or until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract and beat until well incorporated.
- Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a star tip or desired decorating tip.
Decoration:
Once the cake has completely cooled, apply a crumb coat of frosting to seal in any loose crumbs. Refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes to allow the crumb coat to set.
Apply a second layer of frosting to the cake, creating a smooth and even surface. Use a spatula or offset spatula to achieve a clean and polished look.
Decorate the cake with additional elements such as sprinkles, edible glitter, or fresh berries. Be creative and let your imagination run wild!
Baking Tips and Troubleshooting
Achieving the perfect Hummingbird Bakery Red Velvet Cake requires careful attention to detail and a few expert tips. Understanding common challenges and their solutions can help bakers overcome obstacles and create a stunning cake.
Mastering the Batter
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow butter, eggs, and buttermilk to reach room temperature before mixing. This ensures even blending and a smooth batter.
- Cream Butter and Sugar Thoroughly: Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This incorporates air into the mixture, resulting in a cake with a tender crumb.
- Gradually Add Dry Ingredients: Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with buttermilk. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing.
Baking and Cooling Perfection
- Preheat the Oven: Ensure the oven is fully preheated before baking. An accurate oven temperature is crucial for even baking.
- Use the Correct Pan Size: Use two 9-inch round cake pans for even baking. Greasing and flouring the pans prevents the cake from sticking.
- Bake Until a Toothpick Inserted Comes Out Clean: Avoid overbaking, as this can dry out the cake. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake; it should come out clean.
- Cool Cakes Completely: Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting. This helps prevent the frosting from melting and ensures even distribution.
Troubleshooting Common Challenges
- Cake is Dry: Overmixing the batter or baking the cake for too long can result in a dry texture. Ensure you mix the batter until just combined and bake for the recommended time.
- Cake is Dense: Not creaming the butter and sugar thoroughly or using too much flour can lead to a dense cake. Ensure you beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy and measure the flour accurately.
- Cake is Unevenly Baked: An inaccurate oven temperature or uneven pan heating can cause uneven baking. Ensure the oven is preheated accurately and rotate the pans halfway through baking.
- Frosting is Too Thin: If the frosting is too thin, it may not hold its shape or spread evenly. Chill the frosting before using or add more powdered sugar until it reaches the desired consistency.
Serving and Storage
To best savor the Hummingbird Bakery Red Velvet Cake, allow it to reach room temperature for approximately 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to fully develop and meld together. Alternatively, if you prefer a chilled dessert, you can serve it straight from the refrigerator, though the flavors may be slightly less pronounced.
Warming the cake is not recommended as it can dry out the cake and frosting.
Storage
Proper storage of the Hummingbird Bakery Red Velvet Cake is essential to maintain its freshness and quality. For short-term storage, you can keep the cake at room temperature for up to 2 days. Ensure it is well-covered to prevent it from drying out.
For longer storage, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the cake for up to 2 months. To freeze, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in a layer of aluminum foil.
Place it in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Variations and Adaptations
The Hummingbird Bakery Red Velvet Cake recipe is a classic that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. However, there are many ways to adapt the recipe to suit different dietary preferences or allergies.
Dietary Adaptations
- Gluten-free: To make the cake gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Dairy-free: To make the cake dairy-free, substitute the butter with vegan butter and the cream cheese with vegan cream cheese. You can also use a plant-based milk, such as almond milk or soy milk, instead of regular milk.
- Egg-free: To make the cake egg-free, you can use a flax egg or a chia egg as a substitute for each egg. To make a flax egg, combine 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for 5 minutes, or until it becomes gel-like. To make a chia egg, combine 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for 5 minutes, or until it becomes gel-like.
Flavor Variations
- Chocolate Red Velvet Cake: To make a chocolate red velvet cake, add 1/2 cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients.
- Red Velvet Bundt Cake: To make a red velvet bundt cake, simply pour the batter into a bundt pan and bake it according to the recipe instructions.
- Red Velvet Cupcakes: To make red velvet cupcakes, simply fill cupcake liners with the batter and bake them according to the recipe instructions.
Frosting Variations
- Cream Cheese Frosting with Different Flavors: Instead of using plain cream cheese frosting, you can try using flavored cream cheese, such as strawberry cream cheese or chocolate cream cheese. You can also add other ingredients to the frosting, such as chopped nuts, fruit, or extracts, to create different flavor combinations.
- Whipped Cream Frosting: Instead of using cream cheese frosting, you can use whipped cream frosting. To make whipped cream frosting, simply whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. You can then add sugar, vanilla extract, and other flavorings to taste.
- Ganache Frosting: Instead of using cream cheese frosting or whipped cream frosting, you can use ganache frosting. To make ganache frosting, simply melt chocolate and heavy cream together until smooth. You can then add flavorings, such as vanilla extract or liqueur, to taste.
Final Thoughts
As you savor each bite of the Hummingbird Bakery Red Velvet Cake, let the symphony of flavors dance on your palate. The moist and tender crumb, the rich and tangy cream cheese frosting, and the subtle hint of cocoa combine to create an unforgettable taste experience.
Whether enjoyed as a celebratory centerpiece or as a sweet treat to brighten your day, this cake is sure to leave a lasting impression.
FAQs
Can I substitute buttermilk with regular milk in the recipe?
While buttermilk adds a slight tang and richness to the cake, you can use regular milk as a substitute. However, adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to the milk can help replicate the acidity of buttermilk.
How can I achieve the perfect red velvet color?
The vibrant red color of the cake comes from red food coloring. Use a high-quality food coloring gel or paste to ensure a rich and consistent hue throughout the batter.
How do I store the Hummingbird Bakery Red Velvet Cake properly?
To maintain its freshness and flavor, store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months.