Velvet cakes came about in the 1800’s. In the Victorian Era when recipes started calling for cocoa to be added to create luxurious cakes. They were called velvet cakes to let guests at the party know that the cake will have a smooth and soft texture. Adding cocoa to the cake mixture helped to break down the coarse flour creating a softer velvety cake.
Although the cocoa did create a reddish colour due to chemical reactions, over time the colour was intensified by adding more ingredients. This was particularly noted in WWII when ingredients such as sugar and butter were limited due to rationing and it was suggested by governments to use the readily available vegetables to sweeten baked goods instead. In America a popular adding or substitution was beetroot or beetroot juice. And even though this created a striking colour made the cake more desirable as it felt special, it dd make the cakes a lot softer.
There are many different theories about how red velvet cakes came about and who can take credit for the original recipe, but like many things, a lot of it comes down to what ingredients were available at the time and often recipes that are handed down through generations.
Now a days, to avoid having a cake that’s too soft, we often use food colourings or dried beetroot powder to create the vibrant red velvet cakes of today. And from this there are a lot of tried and tested recipes available to create a wonderful red velvet cake. But at the end of the day, not everyone is a baker, no matter how hard we try. Luckily for you we have perfected our own red velvet cake recipe and they are available to order online and they’ll be delivered straight to your door.
Red velvet cake
Free range eggs, cocoa, and beetroot powder, and natural yoghurt create a striking deep red sponge. British butter and natural vanilla flavouring create a velvety buttercream. It is finished with a pretty red crumb on the top.
Our sponge cakes are packaged in secure and robust packaging. The inner box is wrapped around the cake to securely hold it in place so the sides and top do not get damaged in transit. The box also includes a handy cutting guide! It is then put in a strong cardboard outer box for extra protection so it will arrive to you safely.
Our red velvet cakes are also available in our choose your own baby sponge packs and as slices in our cake cards, so if you love red velvet cake or know someone who does there’s plenty of options for you to choose from.
Sponge offer next day delivery on our red velvet cakes all over the UK, when you order by 3pm. So, if you can’t be with a loved one on a special occasion, or want a delicious birthday cake delivered to your door, or have a cake emergency, we will ensure that your cakes are delivered safely and securely straight to your front door. Our Sponge cake delivery service is second to none with our robust designed packaging that keeps your order safe in transit.
Placing your order couldn’t be more straightforward, just place your cake order online on our website. Then you can select the delivery date from our handy calendar, whether you need your order for next day delivery, or want to place your order in advance, the choice is yours! Our calendar allows you to place your order as far in advance as you would like, whether you want to order a wedding cake or order a birthday cake you can pick a delivery date that is convenient for you.
If you’re ordering a cake for a special occasion, we recommend selecting the delivery date for a day or two before you require your order to make sure it is there in plenty of time. This is in case there are problems with the delivery (breakdowns, exceptional circumstances, or events). Our cakes have either a 7 or 10 day life from the date of dispatch, depending on the flavour, so even if they arrive a day or two early, they will still be fresh and delicious on your special occasion.