The main difference between red velvet and chocolate cake is that red velvet cakes tend to be richer and finer than chocolate cakes.
Red velvet cake is a type of rich chocolate-flavoured sponge cake that is coloured red, while a chocolate cake is simply a cake made with chocolate or cocoa. We use cocoa powder in both these recipes, but this does not mean that red velvet cake is a chocolate cake. It contains additional ingredients like buttermilk, vinegar, and cream cheese, which gives it a more complex flavour and texture.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Red Velvet Cake
– Definition, Features
2. What is Chocolate Cake
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Red Velvet and Chocolate Cake
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Cake, Chocolate Cake, Red Velvet Cake
What is Red Velvet Cake
Red velvet cake is a type of rich chocolate-flavoured sponge cake that is coloured red. It is typically layered with white icing made with cream cheese. The common ingredients mainly used for a red velvet cake include flour, butter, buttermilk, cocoa, and vinegar. It also has a cream cheese icing layer. This cake is dense and soft while having a moist and velvety crumb. If we look at its taste, it’s a combination of sweet vanilla, mild cocoa, and tangy buttermilk.
As its name suggests, red velvet cake is red in colour. In modern recipes, we get this red colour by using food colouring. Some use beetroot to obtain this deep rich colour. In traditional red velvet recipes, this red colour was obtained from non-Dutched, anthocyanin-rich cocoa. Furthermore, red velvet cake is supposed to have originated in the Victorian era. At that time period, this cake was reserved for the elite and for special occasions.
What is Chocolate Cake
A chocolate cake is simply a cake made with chocolate or cocoa. There are various types of chocolate cakes such as chocolate lava cake, chocolate fudge cake, chocolate truffle cake, Belgian chocolate cake, and black forest cake. The differences between these depend on the preparation method and the types of chocolates we use. In fact, different countries may have different recipes for chocolate cakes. For example, Sachertorte is a popular recipe in Germany, while gâteau au chocolate is popular in France.
The basic ingredients for a chocolate cake include flour, cocoa powder, eggs, butter, sugar, and baking powder. If we look at the recipe of a chocolate cake, it basically involves putting the ingredients in a bowl, mixing them together until you get the right consistency, and then baking it in the oven until it’s fully cooked. You can also ice (spread icing on it) the cake when it has cooled down. You can easily make a chocolate cake at home.
Difference Between Red Velvet and Chocolate Cake
Definition
Red velvet cake is a type of rich chocolate-flavoured sponge cake that is coloured red, while chocolate cake is simply a cake made with chocolate or cocoa.
Ingredients
The main ingredients commonly used for a red velvet cake include flour, butter, buttermilk, cocoa, and vinegar, while the basic ingredients for a chocolate cake include flour, cocoa powder, eggs, butter, sugar, and baking powder.
Colour
Red velvet cake is red in colour while chocolate cake has a brown colour.
Forsting
In addition, red velvet cakes have a cream cheese frosting, but chocolate cakes can have any type of frosting.
Making
Making a chocolate cake is much easier and simpler than making a red velvet cake.
Richness
Red velvet cakes are richer and finer than simple chocolate cakes.
Conclusion
Both red velvet cake and chocolate cake contains cocoa. But red velvet cake contains additional ingredients like buttermilk, vinegar, and cream cheese, which gives it a more complex flavour and texture. Therefore, red velvet cakes are richer and finer than simple chocolate cakes. Thus, this is the main difference between red velvet and chocolate cake.
Reference:
1. Bernot, Kate. “What Is Red Velvet Cake, Really?” The Takeout, 16 Oct. 2018, Available here.
2. “Simple Chocolate Cake Recipe That Takes Just 40 Mins.” Delicious. Magazine, 10 Mar. 2020, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Red Velvet Cake” By Daniel Go (CC BY-NC 2.0) via Flickr
2. “5374575” (CC0) via Pixabay
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