Easy Red Velvet Cake or Trifle

Planning on making a special Valentine’s Day meal? Last year I had a few couple friends over for a red and pink themed dinner and it was so fun! Even if you have no plans for February 14^th, make it fun for the whole family with this Easy Red Velvet Cake. Perfect this time of year, the dessert also holds one of my favorite “make-it-work” stories. When my Mother was making this cake for a family gathering, the layers fell apart. My motto is ‘if a chocolate soufflé falls, serve it as a chocolate pudding…never start over!’ She was upset, but I told her just to grab a trifle bowl, and the outcome was the most popular dessert of the night, Red Velvet Trifle. Add fresh fruit, such as red strawberries for a stunning presentation everyone will love. I can never decide which way to make it so the choice is yours!

Easy Red Velvet Cake from Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC Gulf Coast Favorites

Perfect for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or any special occasion, this southern classic never goes out of style. Take a short cut by using cake mix to effortlessly prepare a beautiful and deliciously rich luscious cake.

Makes 16–20 servings

1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix

2 tablespoons cocoa

1/4 cup canola oil

1 egg

3 egg whites

1 (1-ounce) bottle red food coloring

1 cup skim milk

1 tablespoon vinegar

Cream Cheese Icing (recipe below)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat three 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine cake mix, cocoa, oil, egg, egg whites, and food coloring. In a small bowl, combine milk and vinegar, and add to mixing bowl. Mix until well combined.

3. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 15–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool layers on a rack and ice with Cream Cheese Icing.

Cream Cheese Icing

1 (8-ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese, softened

3 tablespoons butter

1 (16-ounce) box confectioners’ sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add confectioners’ sugar and beat until light. Add vanilla. 

Nutritional information per serving

Calories 272, Calories from fat 29%, Fat 9g, Saturated Fat 4g, Cholesterol 23mg, Sodium 246mg, Carbohydrate 45g, Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars 35g, Protein 3g, Diabetic Exchanges: 3 carbohydrate, 2 fat

Terrific Tidbit: For another fantastic dessert option, turn this cake into a trifle by layering cake, cream cheese icing, and nonfat whipped topping in a trifle or glass bowl.

Easy Red Velvet Cake – One of my Favorite Cakes

Are you making a special dinner for Valentine’s Day? Even if you are not, this fun playful cake will make your Sweetheart’s day extra sweet! Spouse, kids, friends, or coworkers – all ages will appreciate this delicious festive cake this Valentine’s Day.  Last year I had a Valentine’s party at my house…and really got into the Valentine’s Day theme with inexpensive decorations.  We all had so much fun and here is a glimpse of our fun night!

Strawberry Heart Cake from The New Holly Clegg Trim & TERRIFIC Cookbook

This awesome cake is too good to save for only Valentine’s Day. Turn into a round layered cake year-round with 9-inch round pans. It begins with a cake mix and is easy to make.

Makes 16 servings

1 (18.25-ounce) box white cake mix

1/4 cup canola oil

2 eggs

2 egg whites

1 (3-ounce) package strawberry gelatin

1/2 (10-ounce) package frozen sliced strawberries (1/2 cup) (reserve extra for frosting)

1/2 cup skim milk

Strawberry Frosting (recipe follows)

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat one 9 x 9 x 2-inch square pan and one 9-inch round cake pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In mixing bowl, combine cake mix, oil, eggs, egg whites, strawberry gelatin, 1/2 cup strawberries, milk, mixing until well blended. Divide batter, pour into prepared pans. Bake 25 – 30 minutes, or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pans, cool completely.

3. To form heart: Place square cake on large platter. Cut round cake in half, place each half with cut side next to square side. You may need to trim corners. This now makes a heart. Turn cakes so square cake’s pointed end is down and round halves are at top. Frost heart cake with Strawberry Frosting (see recipe below).

Strawberry Frosting

3 tablespoons butter

1 (16-ounce) box confectioners’ sugar

1/2 (10-ounce) package frozen sliced strawberries (1/2 cup)

1. In medium mixing bowl, mix together butter, confectioners’ sugar, remaining strawberries until well blended.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 336, Protein (g) 3, Carbohydrate (g) 60, Fat (g) 9, Calories from Fat (%) 25, Saturated Fat (g) 2, Dietary Fiber (g) 1, Cholesterol (mg) 27, Sodium (mg) 262 Diabetic Exchanges: 4 other carbohydrate, 2 fat

Steal Your Heart for Valentine’s Day with this Strawberry Valentine’s Day Heart Cake