Red Velvet Cake

INGREDIENTS FOR THE CAKE

• 2-1/2 C sifted AP flour
• 2 tsp fine salt
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 C cocoa powder
• 1 TBL red food coloring
• 1-1/2 TBL water
• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Juice and zest from two oranges
• 1 cup low-fat buttermilk

INGREDIENTS FOR THE ICING

• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1 pound cream cheese, at room temperature
• 4 C sifted powdered sugar
• 2 TBL whole milk

STEP BY STEP

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F
   MAKING THE CAKE
2. Coat 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with Crisco
3. Add 2 TBL flour to the pans, and shake to spread it around
4. Discard any leftovers
5. Set pans aside
6. Sift your flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together, then set aside
7. Cream together your butter, cocoa, sugar, eggs, vanilla, orange juice and zest, food coloring and water
8. Add in small increments, mixing well in between
9. On low speed mix your flour and buttermilk, starting and ending with the flour.
10. Do not overmix, or your batter will become tough.
11. Divide the batter into your two cake pans.
12. Smooth the top with a spoon
13. Bake about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean
14. Remove from the oven and let the cake pans cool for 10 minutes.
15. Slide a butter knife around the edges and turn the cake out onto the cooling rack.
16. Let cool for at least an hour
    PREPARING THE ICING
17. Beat room temperature butter in a large bowl for about 30 seconds
18. Add the cream cheese and beat another minute.
19. Reduce the speed and add the powdered sugar a spoonful at a time, mixing for 30 seconds between each spoonful.
20. If the frosting is too stiff, add a spoonful of milk and beat for 30 seconds until it is just right
    ASSEMBLING YOUR CAKE
21. Cut the puffy top off what will be your bottom layer.
22. Spread 1 cup of the icing onto the cake layer, using an offset spatula
23. Work from the center to the outside
24. Add more icing if necessary
25. Set the second cake layer on top of the first and ice the second layer
26. Ice the sides of the cake
27. If the sides are crumbly, paint a thin layer of icing on the side to create a base.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes, then add a layer of icing on top of the first stabilization layer.
28. If you plan on eating it that day, store the cake at room temperature beneath a cake cover
    If this is for another day, store it in the fridge for up to three days covered in plastic wrap.
29. Remove from refrigerator one hour before serving.