Valentine's Day Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients

• 360g cake flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 2 Tablespoons (10g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 115g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

• 400g granulated sugar

• 240ml rapeseed or vegetable oil

• 4 large eggs, room temperature and separated

• 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

• liquid or gel red food coloring

• 240ml buttermilk, at room temperature

Cream Cheese Icing

450g full-fat block cream cheese, softened to room temperature

170g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

660g icing sugar

1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract pinch of salt, to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper rounds, then grease the parchment paper. Parchment paper helps the cakes seamlessly release from the pans.

Make the cake: Whisk the flour, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Add the oil, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and vinegar and beat on high for 2 minutes. (Set the egg whites aside.) Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.

With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in 2-3 additions alternating with the buttermilk. Beat in your desired amount of food coloring just until combined. I use 1-2 teaspoons gel food coloring. Vigorously whisk or beat the 4 egg whites on high speed until fluffy peaks form as pictured above, about 3 minutes. Gently fold into cake batter. The batter will be silky and slightly thick.

Divide batter between cake pans. Bake for 30-32 minutes or until the tops of the cakes spring back when gently touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the cakes need a little longer as determined by wet crumbs on the toothpick, bake for longer. However, careful not to overbake as the cakes may dry out. Remove cakes from the oven and cool completely in the pans set on a wire rack. The cakes must be completely cool before frosting and assembling.

Make the Icing: In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter together on medium-high speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the icing sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to high speed and beat for 3 minutes until completely combined and creamy. Add more icing sugar if the icing is too thin or an extra pinch of salt if icing is too sweet. Icing should be soft, but not runny.

Assemble and add icing: Using a large serrated knife, slice a thin layer off the tops of the cakes to create a flat surface. Discard or crumble over finished cake. Place 1 cake layer on your cake stand or serving plate. Evenly cover the top with icing. Top with 2nd layer and spread remaining icing all over the top and sides. I always use an icing spatula and bench scraper for the icing. Refrigerate cake for at least 30-60 minutes before slicing. This helps the cake hold its shape when cutting.

Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for 5 days. Iced cake or un-iced cake layers can be frozen up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before decorating/serving.

One of Hampshire’s very finest restaurants

An historic quayside cottage, crisp white linen and unique contemporary dishes set the stage for a memorable experience at long-running restaurant-with-rooms, 36 On the Quay.

Michelin-recommended, this is one of only three restaurants in Hampshire to hold a 3-AA Rosette rating. In the restaurant world, such accolades are hard-won, and they mean you can expect dining here to be excellent in every detail. All the rooms at 36 On the Quay are stylishly decorated and furnished. This charming place has become something of a destination for visitors from all over the world, as well as for smart business dinners and special occasions with family and friends.

The ‘8-moments’ tasting menu with a seven wine-pairing option is for those who love it when the chef creates a series of unique dishes just for that night, and who enjoy being surprised and delighted by a variety of new tastes and textures. It is exciting to anticipate every course, and to enjoy each visual feast before concentrating on the flavours and comparing notes with dining companions.

The kitchen, led by chef Gary Pearce, prides itself on invention and reinvention, using the finest ingredients which are often foraged from the abundant Hampshire seaside and countryside.

For more casual dining, there are set menus as well as an A La Carte, offering dishes which demonstrate Gary’s unique flair, imagination and playfulness. Meals are served Tuesdays to Saturdays, lunch and evening, and there are packages for getaway breaks, from an overnight stay to a very special week-long holiday, all of which include a splendid breakfast.

Special themed evenings and wine-pairing events are sold out almost as soon as they are advertised, and the restaurant, which is very often featured in ‘Top Restaurant’ listings in the national papers, has most recently been crowned On-Trade Winner of Rioja Wine Month 2022.

To make a reservation, call 01243 375592, email info@36onthequay. com, or complete the reservation form on www.36onthequay.com/contact

| RESTAURANT | ROOMS | GARDEN |

A very warm welcome to 36 On The Quaya vibrant & modern Restaurant with Rooms situated right on the Emsworth Quay harbour.

Stunning harbour views offer a perfect backdrop to the prime & adventurous menus of chef Gary Pearce and his team. The service is friendly & professional yet informal, creating relaxed ambiance for elevated dining.

The addition of contemporary & stylish bedrooms offer style & comfort in historical setting of grade II listed building.

RESERVATIONS | 01243 375592 www.36onthequay.com

47 South St, Emsworth, PO10 7EG info@36onthequay.com