Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Home For the Holidays Hop: $450 Giveaway + The Best Ever Red Velvet Cake Recipe


During this hop you have a chance to
win a $450 Gift Card or Paypal Cash
a HUGE Ebook Grab Bag and several other prizes on participating blogs! 

The blog hop consists of several bloggers and authors who have sponsored the event to bring you prizes, recipes, book recommendations, and most of all, holiday cheer!

For my stop on the hop I decided to share my 
red velvet cake & cream cheese frosting recipes
I am also hosting a 
$25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway 
below, which is completely separate from the main 
Home for the Holidays Blog Hop Giveaway

You will find all the details for both giveaways below the recipe! 

Without further ado, I bring you.... 

The Best Red Velvet Cake Recipe, Ever! 

The secret to the best red velvet cake recipe lies below...

I had originally posted this recipe on my other blog, So Simply Stephanie, last Christmas and it instantly became a huge hit! Since this is my favorite holiday recipe  and my other readers enjoyed it, I thought I would share it for the Home For The Holidays Blog Hop.

This red velvet cake is a little different from most recipes and quite frankly, the BEST I HAVE EVER HAD! Red velvet cake has always been my favorite-- when it's made right. I have only found a few people in my lifetime who made the perfect red velvet cake and my husbands aunt is one of those people. I had searched high and low for a great recipe and even tried the Paula Deen's Red Velvet Cake recipe and it didn't turn out to my liking, either. Possibly my error, possibly because it's just not the one. 

Unlike traditional red velvet cake recipes, this one has it's own little secret...

Are you ready?

Lean in a little closer so no one else hears...

Instead of flower, it uses a boxed butter cake mix! Shhh! Don't tell anyone until AFTER they have tried it and they tell you how wonderful it is!... No, this recipe still calls for all the other true-red-velvet ingredients such as the vinegar, cocoa, and butter milk. The boxed cake mix is a substitution to the flour only.

So, are you ready to try it? I have included both the Red Velvet Cake Recipe & the Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe!

Red Velvet Cake Recipe:

  • 1 Box Butter Cake Mix ( Something Like Betty Crocker  Butter Cake 18.5 oz.)
  • 2 ½ Tbsp. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 1 1/3 Cups Buttermilk
  • 1 oz. Red Food Coloring
  • 1 Stick (8 Tbsp.) Butter, Melted
  • 3 Large Eggs
  • 1 Tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Tsp. Baking Soda
  • 1 Tbsp. Distilled White Vinegar
  • Flour for Dusting Pans
  • Shortening for Greasing Pans

1. Place rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees.

2. Grease 3 9-inch pans thoroughly with shortening or margarine, and then dust with flour.

3. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and beat on low speed for 1 minute, or until all ingredients are well blended. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix again for 2 minutes on medium speed.

4. Divide the batter evenly among pans, about 1 ½ cups of each, and smooth the tops with a rubber spatula.

5. Bake the cakes for 17-21 minutes or until the sides start to separate from the side of the pan. You can also use the toothpick method. Insert a toothpick, if it comes out clean it’s done.

6. When cakes are done, transfer them to wire racks to cool for 5 minutes. After cakes have cooled, run a knife around the edge of the pan to separate the cake from the pan. Next, flip the pan over on the wire rack so that the cake is upside down on the rack. Now, place another rack on top of that and flip it back over so that the cake is right side up.

7. Move your layers one at the time to your cake plate and frost with cream cheese frosting.

8. ENJOY!

Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe:

  • 1 8oz block cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 stick of butter, at room temperature
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • Optional: 1 cup crushed pecans... Optional, but really, it's a delicious-must!
1. Combine cream cheese and butter in a large bowl and beat 1-2 minutes or until light and fluffy.

2. Scrape the sides of the bowl, pulling the frosting back to the center of the bowl. Add vanilla and gradually add powdered sugar. Beat on medium until well combined. Next, beat on high speed for 1 -2 minutes until you reach your desired consistency.

3. If you want to add pecans, which I strongly suggest, stir them in now. Save a couple tablespoons to garnish the top for a beautiful red velvet cake.

Now that you have the recipe for the best red velvet cake you will ever put in your mouth, are you going to try it?

Now for the fun part.... the giveaways!



Okay, for my blog giveaway I am offering a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card to one lucky winner via Rafflecopter. To enter simply complete the entries on the Rafflecopter below. Some of which will also qualify you for the blog hop Grand Prize of $450+ ! 

BE SURE TO LEAVE YOU EMAIL in the comment
 so that we can contact you if you win!




To enter the Home for the Holidays Blog Hop Giveaway simply post a comment below. 

Then, be sure to visit the main blog hop page by clicking on the banner. There you will find a list of participating authors and blogs were you can visit and comment for more chances to win! 

Hope you enjoy! 
Good Luck & Happy Holidays! 


68 comments:

  1. Red Velvet Cake is my cake weakness!

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  2. I have never had Red Velvet Cake. I keep hearing about it. I may need to try it one day.

    angel.graham.1@gmail.com

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  3. I don't cook an awful lot but I do make a mean sticky date pudding, the caramel sauce recipe is delicious. cjlps23@gmail.com

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  4. That recipe is awesome! I cant wait to try and see how shocked everyon is lol.

    My favorite dish to cook is homemade gravy.

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  5. Oh my gosh, that recipe looks really good, definitely be trying this recipe.
    My favorite recipe to make for the holidays is a pecan pie, with chocolate chips, a small piece goes a long way!
    skpetal at hotmail dot com

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  6. My favorite dish to make and eat is mashed potatoes. Your red velvet cake cake sounds yummy! Thanks for being part of the blog hop. AFischer48@mail.com

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  7. I love baking Xmas cookies. I am a new follower would love to have you follow back.

    jonesjnd (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  8. Oh that red velvet cake looks scrumptious! I would need to make two, one all for me and one half for everyone else (yep, I am going to steal half of the other as well :P ). I may not fit through the door after, but I'm very ok with that. It's worth it.

    Thank you for the chance to enter your giveaway. Happy Holidays to one and all!

    Shelly H
    booski24@hotmail.com

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  9. The dish I like is Stuffing balls. grandmatinaof2(AT)gmail.com

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  10. Stephanie, this looks sinfully delicious! Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe! Happy Holiday Hopping!

    RoseAnn DeFranco

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  11. ow this looks so yummy i want to eat it
    misky90501@yahoo.com

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  12. Stephanie, this looks sinfully delicious! Happy Holiday Blog Hopping!

    RoseAnn DeFranco

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  13. Yep...I stole this recipe...I'm making this at Thanksgiving and telling NO one where I got it! Thank you!
    melaniemcclure@knology.net

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  14. What is my favorite dish to cook during the holidays? Well mine & especially my whole family is the Pumpkin Rolls. Their easy & fun to make. Everyone always takes 1 home with them...lol Big Hugs & thank u for the wonderful recipe I have now added to my growing collection of delishiousness ... hehe

    Missie Jones
    missie25524 (at) netzero (dot) com

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  15. Oh I Love Red velvet cake... I really enjoy making my apple crisp cause it is easy and super yummy. Thanks for the recipe and being part of the hop.

    j.m.platt83@gmail.com

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  16. Pretty amazing giveaway. This would help a lot with Christmas this year. Thank you for this wonderful chance to win some amazing books. esseboo [@] yahoo [dot] com

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  17. I love red velvet cake. Yummy! marie.mattingly88@gmail.com

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  18. Thanks for the recipe. My daughter would love this:) mngarcia325@gmail.com

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  19. Pretty amazing giveaway. This would help a lot with Christmas this year. Thank you for this wonderful chance to win some amazing books. esseboo [@] yahoo [dot] com

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  20. I love to eat homemade mashed potatoes and pumpkin cookies

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  21. Can't wait to try that recipe. My favorite dish is Green bean casserole
    bbyg6122yahoo.com

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  22. I have a GIGANTIC SWEET TOOTH. And I am all over cake. One of my best friends is obsessed with red velvet cake, and I am totally going to have to make this for her birthday! (And maybe Christmas...and Valentines Day...and Columbus Day...and Thursdays...there really isn't a bad time for cake, you know?) And I'll have to watch for her reaction to the best Red Velvet Cake Recipe ever!! Thanks so much for passing on your secret! :)

    kite1011@hotmail.com

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  23. Oh, and my favorite dish to cook? I uh, I'm not really good at cooking, per se (I'm more of a baker and a cook-it-out-of-a-box type person). The only thing I've made year after year for all the Thanksgiving and Christmas parties I've gone to are little smokies. I found an awesome recipe that involves jelly and brown sugar - it's gone over really well, but my family always makes fun of me for bringing it, haha!

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  24. I had no idea a cake could be so RED. It kind of scared me.

    Liza2write@yahoo.com

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  25. I love my mom's red velvet cake, and have made it a few times but it is very hard. This looks so easy! Thanks for posting this. I love to bake for my family around the holidays, and have a chocolate chip bundt cake that they love. ;) kdworsham@gmail.com

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  26. I love making sugar cookies with my kids! Caraolson24@yahoo.com

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  27. I'm a huge red velvet fan, so I was very happy when I saw your recipe... I'm going to make this for sure. thank you:)

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  28. I love making pecan pie Thanks for participating in the blog hop!
    eliseandtegan@gmail.com

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  29. I've been in a sweet potato phase- scones, pies, tarts...

    Lovely recipe- I may have to try it

    glhince at gmail dot com

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  30. thanks for hosting this--I love cooking/baking desserts

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  31. Ooo. Red Velvet Cake. I'm with you on the fact that its an awesome cake when done right. When it doesn't have cream cheese frosting, it's not done right. Thanks for sharing and participating in the blog hop :) DarlaGDenton@gmail.com

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  32. I love making homemade cookies! That cake looks delicious! Thanks for the giveaway and participating in the blog hop!! :D
    aidensmom1031@gmail.com

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  33. My favorite is desserts so its a toss up between....pecan pie...cookies...and german chocolate cake!! This recipe sounds yummy!!!!!

    viajeradelmar@aol.com

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  34. You asked: What is my favorite dessert to cook for the holidays?

    By far it's sweet potato pies! I only make them during the holidays so they are a special treat for all. Not to mention they are gooood! LOL :-)
    The Red Velvet cake is now in my album. It sound scrumptious and easy! Thank you!

    Wonderful hop! It's always fun doing these because you find some really great new authors.

    Thanks for the opportunity.

    Belinda G
    belgre at comcast dot net

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  35. ohh, my favorite dessert? I love Apple pie. And my family loves the way the house smells while it's baking. lol
    purple975 @msn.com

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  36. Entering both giveaways! Thanks for the chance! Love red velvet cake! But, my favorite holiday recipe is sugar cookies!

    clintmar (at) grm (dot)

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  37. My favorite dish to cook is seafood gumbo. It's a long process but worth it.

    koonie2888 at yahoo dot com

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  38. That does sound good! My grandmother always makes a red velvet cake, and I wonder how this recipe stacks up. My favorite dish for the holidays is caramel apple pie.

    dancingcelt at gmail dot com

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  39. I love making cranberry sauce and pumpkin cheesecake!

    vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

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  40. I always like the desserts so that's what I normally spend time with. I really enjoy making and eating homemade cherry cheesecake and peanutbutter balls.
    I would also like to thank everyone who's participating in this giveaway. I was calling it quits when I stumbled upon this giveaway. I think it was a sign and I hope it was. I've been entering giveaway after giveaway since the end of August and the beginning of October. I know it doesn't seem long but I've given it 98% but I tried to give a 100%. I finally decided to give up. I can't even win $1 Amazon gift card. It finally got to me and I found myself in the hospital. I got out today and I've listened to lectures from everyone. I didn't let any of them bother me until Haley, my 15 yr old daughter. She told me that she knew what I've been doing. I was informed that she needs her mom more than a stupid laptop. I know she's right. She also told me that having a roof over her head is way more important than a Christmas present. I'm not sure what to say about it but I know she will get made fun of when school starts back, I mean after Christmas and school starts back, especially when her friends ask what she got. I didn't raise her to lie so she will say nothing. Then my 18yr old son will come home from the Army for the holidays. I won't even have Christmas dinner to fix him, the main thing he will want is Christmas dinner. I'm completely lost, depressed, run down, and I haven't been taking care of myself.
    Before I forget, your red velvet cake with creamcheese frosting is one of my favorites but I've never made it.
    Angela
    angie1977t@gmail.com

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  41. I like making pumpkin cheesecake.
    bituin76 at hotmail dot com

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  42. My favorite holiday dish is sweet potato casserole. What a great giveaway! Thank you --
    suz_glo (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  43. I love making cranberry sauce from scratch, rosemary focaccia, and Dutch Apple Pie!
    dmarie824 at aol dot com

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  44. my fav dish to make for Thanksgiving is my caramel apple pie. It's the only time I make it, once each year because it is so decadent, but it's fab! Can't wait to try your red velvet. I'm going to copy and paste it :) ThX!

    booklover1335 at gmail dot com

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  45. This cake looks yummy :)
    Thanks for the chance :)
    bubacka07@outlook.com

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  46. I love red velvet cake!!delphinareadstoomuch@yahoo.com

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  47. Please include me in the draw. The cake looks yummy!
    nhysglover@gmail.com

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  48. I LOVE red velvet cake!! During the holidays, I love to make a ton of cookies, as well as traditional Polish food (especially home made pierogi).

    Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
    elizabeth @ bookattict . com

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  49. I love, love, love red velvet cake, I must admit I only make the box kind though! Although seeing this I'm thinking of trying to make this for myself!(note : I didn't say my family, this is all for me)I enjoy cooking and I enjoy making green bean casserole for my family because they love it! Thanks and have a Happy Thanksgiving! amybowens34@yahoo.com

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  50. I love baking so I would have to say chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon rolls. Thanks for the hop and giveaway. koala571 (at) msn (dot) com

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  51. That cake looks wonderful. Thanks for hosting the hop! woofiepublications@gmail.com

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  52. Pecan Pie. Thanks for the giveaway. I love this hop.
    magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

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  53. My favorite dish to cook would have to be desserts, mainly pumpkin pie. :)
    I am not a fan of Red Velvet cake, but my hubby loves it, so I may have to try this recipe. I have made that frosting before though and my family loves it!
    Thank you so much for the wonderful giveaway!
    Happy Holidays!
    trb0917 at gmail dot com

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  54. I love to cook dessert for the holidays especially cookies. I'll give this recipe a try.

    smurfettev AT gmail DOT com

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  55. chicken and pastry
    flanagan@mebtel.net

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  56. OMG!! That is fricking brilliant! You have my undying gratitude for that tasty tip.

    blueshedevil32 AT gmail DOT com

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  57. Oh yum! This recipe looks delicious! Definitely keeping this recipe! Red velvet cake is a big hit in my house too! My favorite thing is potato bake. Its a cheesy potato thingy. Its so good! Its the one thing i look forward to every year. Food wise, that is. lol This sounds so good! Thanks for sharing the recipe! Thank you! Happy Thanksgiving! shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

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  58. Pumpkin pie.
    Thanks for the chance to win!
    natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

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  59. I love making my mom's cornbread dressing during the holidays! It brings me home immediately, no matter where in the world I am! Thanks for the fun Contest! Cordially, Tracey Reid (traceytax2@hotmail.com).

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  60. I enjoy baking cookies for the holiday. Your Red Velvet Cake sounds delicious. Thanks for the fantastic giveaway!
    bhometchko(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  61. My favorite thing to cook during the holidays is dessert! I make an excellent French Silk Pie...
    I can't wait to try the Red Velvet cake, though.

    Thank you for being part of this hop. :-)

    karen(dot)arrowood(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  62. I think your red velvet cake recipe will be my new favorite...it looks amazing!!! Thanks for the incredible giveaway!!
    bangersis at msn dot com

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  63. cookies and cakes - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

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  64. Wonderful gifts. Great way to get new authors to read!
    Diannamcosta@gmail.com

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