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Red Velvet Donut

17/11/2023

The red velvet donut is a version of the classic American dessert known for its vibrant red color and velvety texture. This Italian version retains the main characteristics, but with an added touch of elegance and simplicity in preparation.

Ingredients

  • 250 g of type 00 flour
  • 150 g of granulated sugar
  • 100 g of soft butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 240 ml of buttermilk (or alternatively 120 ml of milk mixed with 120 ml of natural yogurt)
  • 20 g of unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 packet of baking powder for sweets
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon of red gel food coloring (or alternatively 2 tablespoons of beetroot juice)
  • 1 teaspoon of white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon of baking soda

For the frosting (optional):

  • 200 g of spreadable cheese like Philadelphia
  • 50 g of powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and grease and flour a donut mold.
  2. In a bowl, whip the butter with the sugar until you get a light and fluffy mixture.
  3. Add the eggs, one at a time, continuing to mix.
  4. Incorporate the vanilla extract and the red coloring. Mix well until the mixture is evenly colored.
  5. In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.
  6. Add the dry ingredients to the butter and egg mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, mixing until you get a smooth and homogeneous dough.
  7. Mix the white vinegar with the baking soda and quickly add it to the dough.
  8. Pour the mixture into the mold and bake for about 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the donut comes out clean.
  9. Let the donut cool in the mold for 10 minutes, then transfer it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

For the frosting:

  1. While the donut is cooling, in a bowl mix the spreadable cheese with the powdered sugar and vanilla until you get a smooth cream.
  2. Spread the frosting on the cooled donut or serve it on the side.

Curiosity

The origin of the red velvet cake is shrouded in mystery. One story tells that it was invented in the 1920s at a famous New York City bakery, while another version attributes the creation to a kitchen mistake, when a chef accidentally dropped red coloring into the dough. Regardless of its origins, it has become an icon of American pastries and increasingly appreciated outside the USA.

Red Velvet Donut