Happy 2014 & A Classic Mower Family Recipe

Happy 2014! I'm so excited for this year and all the things that will happen in it.

As we wait for the day that we get to close on our beautiful and charming 1970s house (just 28 days left!) we like to ring in the new year with one of our family's classic recipes. My kids absolutely love it and I would love to share it with you. :) You ready for this? Here it goes!

Mower Family Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting:

Ingredients for Cake:

2 Cups Sugar

1/2 Cup Butter

1 Cup Oil

2 Eggs

3 Tbsp. Baking Cocoa Powder

1 oz. Red Food Coloring

2 1/2 Cups Flour (sifted)

1 Tsp. Salt

1 Buttermilk Packet

1 Cup Water

1 Tsp. Baking Soda

1 1/2 Tsp. Vinegar

1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract

Ingredients for Frosting:

4 Cups Powder Sugar

1 Lb. Cream Cheese

2 Sticks of butter (1 Cup) at room temperature

1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract

1/2 Tsp. Almond Extract

1/2 Tsp. Coconut Extract

Chopped Pecans or Walnuts (optional)

Directions for the Cake:

Set oven to 350 degrees. You will need to do either 2 layers or 3 layers using the batter. In a large bowl mix sifted flour and salt. Set aside. In a separate container, combine the buttermilk packet and the water to make exactly 1 Cup. Set aside. In a large bowl cream sugar, butter, and oil. Add eggs. Mix in baking cocoa powder and food coloring. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture alternatively with the buttermilk and mix. Blend in vanilla extract. In a small container mix the baking soda and vinegar and add to the mixture. If making two layers, each layer will measure about 3 Cups of the batter each. If making three layers, each layer will measure about 2 Cups of the batter each. Bake each layer for 25-30 minutes or until the center of each layer is not wet when you poke it with a fork or toothpick. 

Directions for the Frosting:

In a large container, blend the cream cheese and butter. Add the powdered sugar gradually. Add vanilla extract, the almond extract, and the coconut extract and blend all till combined. When each layer of the cake is completely cool, stack the cake layers with frosting in between them, on top, and sides of the overall cake. Optional: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the sides of the cake. 

Enjoy! This cake is amazing and my kids rave about it and want me to do it again soon. In fact, my 9 year old son was savoring his mouth as he watched me type up this post. That good!