Red Velvet Cake & Chocolate Sauce with Chocolate Covered Strawberries & Red Hots...

Red Velvet Cake

• 2 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 1/2 cups Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Cocoa Powder
• 1 1/2 cups Vegetable Oil Vegetable oil is any of a variety of edible oils made from a plant source, such as vegetables, nuts, or seeds.
• 1 cup Buttermilk
• 2 Eggs
• 2 tablespoons Red Food Coloring
• 1 teaspoon White Vinegar White vinegar can be made of oxidized, distilled alcohol or a solution of acetic acid in water.
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Chocolate Sauce

• 1 cup Unsalted Butter
• 1/2 cup Whole Milk
• 1 cup Dark Cocoa Powder
• 4 cups Powdered Sugar
• 1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt

Garnish & Plating

• 24 large Strawberries
• 2 cups Semisweet Chocolate Chips
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Vegetable Shortening Vegetable shortening is a cooking fat produced from vegetable oils through a procedure called hydrogenation. Virtually flavorless, vegetable shortening is often used to “shorten” the amount of flour required, making baked goods more tender and flaky.
• 1 cup Red Hots

Red Velvet Cake

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder.
2. Step 2: In another large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, white vinegar, and vanilla extract.
3. Step 3: Whisk
   
4. Step 4: Preheat a conventional ovenThe conventional oven has historically served as the basic oven found in most homes. Most recipes are typically written for baking at conventional oven temperatures. to 350 degrees F.
5. Step 5: Divide the batter evenly into oiled and floured nonstick 9-inch round cake pans or large cupcake pan and bake. About 30 minutes for the cake pan and about 20 minutes for the large cupcakes, or until the batter pulls from sides and a toothpick inserted comes clean.
   
6. Step 6: Let the cake cool and reserve for plating.

Chocolate Sauce

1. Step 1: In a small sauce pot on medium heat, melt the butter, add the milk, whisk.
2. Step 2: Whisk in the cocoa powder, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and salt.
3. Step 3: Reserve warm for plating.

Garnish & Plating

1. Step 1: In a small double boilerA Double Boiler is a heat-resistant bowl, for ingredients, that is placed over a pot of boiling or simmering water. It is important that the bowl does not touch the water. Also, it's possible to purchase double-boiler cookware. See also bain marie. on medium heat, melt the chocolate chips but don’t burn the edges.
2. Step 2: Mount in the vegetable shorteningVegetable shortening is a cooking fat produced from vegetable oils through a procedure called hydrogenation. Virtually flavorless, vegetable shortening is often used to “shorten” the amount of flour required, making baked goods more tender and flaky. until smooth.
3. Step 3: Dip the strawberries in the chocolate and place on parchment paper.
   
4. Step 4: Let the chocolate covered strawberries cool fully until the chocolate sets and the berries can be lifted off paper.
   
5. Step 5: On nice dessert plates, place a slice or a cupcake in the center.
6. Step 6: Pour the chocolate sauce on top of cake, sprinkle with Red Hots and top with a strawberry.