Habit forming….
Sometimes we become a creature of habit, especially in the world of food. So often I order the same thing, I am most guilty of this when it comes to Chinese food. For even when I try to mix it up, I often find myself longingly looking over at someone who ordered one of my regulars. Then end up ordering it and taking it home for lunch the next day. When will I learn. 
My husband often puts me into baking ruts. Chocolate chip cookies and red velvet cake…with cream cheese frosting. So when going through Baked I noticed that they have a version of red velvet cake that was called Red Hot. At first I was afraid they did the whole chocolate and chili thing which I am not a fan of that movement at all (Bobby Flay can keep that one) but it was just basic red velvet cake, but with a cinnamon frosting. Hmm, cinnamon frosting, I felt the need to give that a try (not to worry I made my husband plain old cream cheese frosting).
I must admit I am not sure if I was up for the change. I like the cinnamon flavor with the cake a lot but missed the tang of the cream cheese. I think next time I will make a hybrid of sorts using a cream cheese frosting with cinnamon. If you want to make the little Red Hot (where it got it’s name from) decoration you just simply melt some chocolate, pipe it through a bag, place a Red Hot on top, and stick in the fridge to set up.
I used a different red velvet cake (recipe here) but I included the frosting recipe if you want to break away from the normal standard.
Cinnamon Frosting
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups whole milk
¼ cup heavy cream
1 ½ cups unsalted butter, soft but cool, cut into small pieces
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp cinnamon
In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, whisk the sugar and flour together. Add the milk and cream and cook over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil and has thickened, about 20 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on high speed until cool. Reduce the speed to low and add the butter; beat until thoroughly incorporated. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Add the vanilla and cinnamon and continue mixing until combined. If the frosting is too soft, transfer the bowl to the refrigerator to chill slight, then beat again until tit is the propers consistency. If the frosting is too fir,, place the bowl over a pot of simmering water and beat with a wooden spoon until it is proper consistency.
Adapted from Baked: New Frontiers in Baking by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito
34 Responses
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October 19th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
These looks so festive! I love them.
October 19th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I love this twist on Red Velvet Cake. I’m sure my husband would love this. He eats those Red Hot candies like most people eat M&Ms! Oh, and I’m not a fan of the chocolate-chili movement either- no thanks!
October 19th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Those are so cute.
October 19th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
The frosting sounds great. I wonder if that would work on a pumpkin cake….
October 19th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Sometimes habits keep us sane.
Other times breaking habits leads to exciting new discoveries.
And some times habits are the comforts we need.
I think this could be a habit ;0) Red Hots are cool!
October 19th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
A friend brought me some cinnamon from Vietnam, and I’d definitely describe it as hot — much more biting and pungent than what I usually buy at home. Maybe that’s where the name came from?
October 19th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Ahahah, you are crazy for that book! Yaaay about that cause I enjoy so much reading how did you go with the recipes and your reviews =)
This one looks nice. And I love the red hot on top.
October 19th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
I just got that cookbook and can’t wait to try some of the many things that caught my eye. I’m a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to red velvet cake, though. The cream cheese frosting is my favorite part! However, I’m thinking Quinn would like this version.
October 19th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Before I became a vegan, I LITERALLY ate the same foods, day in and day out, for all of my meals and snacks. Now I’m SUPER experimental, love cooking & baking, and am a foodie
… But I’m still a “creature of habit” otherwise
October 19th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
I think a good way to go is to order at least one new thing each visit: to satisfy the craving for old treats and the craving for new adventures
Of course, it’s not an *economical* way to go, but if we wanted to save we’d be eating at home 
October 19th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
The cakes look delicious. Love your blog- just wanted to let you know that I linked you!
http://ovenlove.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-favorites-food-blogs-and-websites.html
October 19th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
I came across this recipe a while back and was turned off by the cinnamon frosting. Call me a red velvet cake purist, but I think the cake is perfect just the way it is. The cream cheese frosting is my favorite!
Your version is beautiful though
October 19th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
What a gorgeous frosting! I’m addicted to that…
I tend to be a creature of habit, but I also like to try new things…
Cheers and have a nice week,
Rosa
October 20th, 2008 at 12:56 am
Ooh I just ordered that book! This looks great, I’m relatively new to Red Velvet, I hadn’t really heard of it until I started reading American blogs but I’ll definitely have to give it a try, looks great!
October 20th, 2008 at 2:53 am
Never made red velvet cake, it looks so beautiful.
Love the colour too.
Hi hi here too when i order take away i seems to order the same dishes. Every time i tell my self i should try something new and i tend to order the same next time too
October 20th, 2008 at 3:43 am
I loved Baked! It is one of my top 2 favorite bakeries ever. At the shop they also have red velvet with cream cheese icing sometimes, I swear I’ve had it–and a divine chocolate cupcake!
October 20th, 2008 at 4:32 am
Cinnamon is a HUGE favorite of mine. This looks absolutely delicious!!!
October 20th, 2008 at 6:50 am
Oh, I love anything cinnamon, Pea. Don’t even ask me twice. I’d be all over this cake in no time.
October 20th, 2008 at 7:28 am
The combination of cream cheese and cinnamon could be interesting. It’d definitely keep the tang.
October 20th, 2008 at 7:36 am
I just stumbled upon your blog and spent a good portion of my morning scouring it. What a wonderfull site. Keep up the amazing job.
October 20th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Mmmm, the cinnamon frosting sounds intriguing. Let us know how it works with cream cheese. I love the squares you made with your new pan.
October 20th, 2008 at 8:12 am
What if you think of them as traditions instead of ruts? Or as your signature dishes? I love that certain people in my family are known for their particular culinary strength. We count on them to keep us in apple pie, perogies, etc…Viva la rut in this case!
October 20th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Red velvet is not a bad rut to be in!
We actually had a red velvet cake (shaped like a golf ball) for our groom’s cake – and only because my mom was totally set against not having it as our real wedding cake!
October 20th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Oh yum! I understand about the baking rut–you know, if you feel like you can no longer face your baked goods, send them over here and we’d be happy to help out
aren’t we so very giving??? And can I say again how much I love all the Baked stuff!?
October 20th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
they sure do look pretty! I think the cream cheese version with cinnamon would be good – let us know if you try that!
October 20th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Yumm, red velvet with cinnamon cream cheese frosting.
I think that will be my next cake!
October 20th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Hmmmm I don’t know how I feel about the cinnamon frosting….but I’m a sucker for cream cheese frosting.
October 21st, 2008 at 3:02 am
break away from the normal standard, eh? what if i told you cinnamon frosting was my normal standard? it most definitely is.
October 21st, 2008 at 4:47 am
I think adding a bit of cinnamon to the cream cheese frosting would be yummy! I agree that Red Velvet belongs with Cream Cheese Frosting… they are just meant to be.
October 21st, 2008 at 5:08 am
Interesting. The frosting sounds great but like you, I would miss the cream cheese. I think cream cheese frosting is one of the biggest reason spice, carrot & red velvet are some of my favorite cakes
October 21st, 2008 at 7:01 am
Yum! I’ve never tried making a red velvet cake, but really need to jump on the bandwagon!
October 21st, 2008 at 9:45 am
Looks soooo yummy!!!
October 21st, 2008 at 7:16 pm
I can’t say I’m crazy about red velvet cake, but that frosting sure sounds good!
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:54 pm
not sure if i would like cinnamon frosting, either…though those cakes are very adorable