Red Velvet Cake (a.k.a. Waldorf Astoria Cake)
2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour* 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder (unsweetened) 2 oz. red food coloring 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 eggs, at room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature 1 teaspoon white vinegar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or three 8-inch round cake pans. 2. Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl; set aside. In a small bowl, mix food coloring and cocoa powder to form a thin paste without lumps; set aside. 3. In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about three minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then beat in vanilla and the red cocoa paste, scraping down the bowl with a spatula as you go. Add one third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beat well, then beat in half of ...