Velvet Cake with Cheese Spread Frosting (Pre-Valentine's Day Therapy)

Valentine's day is a beautiful concept; a day reserved to rediscover your love! But the day doesn't really mean much to me or we never celebrate it, as everyday together is a treat filled with mix of feelings and that itself is a celebration :-) 

However, this time, three days prior to the day, I decided to give Pradeep a pre-valentine's day therapy! Wondering what it means? Well, my plan was simple, let him do what he enjoys like watching his favorite soaps together, cricket and yes, never to miss out good food! 

- Day 1, February 11th, 2013, I made him with Mushroom Lasagna with Creamy Sauce for dinner and it was my first attempt at lasagna. It tasted superb but I added only 3 layers to see how it comes out and it definitely can be perfected and hence did not put up the pic or the recipe. 
- Day 2, February 12th, 2013, was his simple comfort food day. Andhra Sambar, Kerala Fish Fry and Andhra Pickle with plain steamed rice. He totally ended up licking his fingers!
- Day 3, February 13th, 2013, was more like an event round up I would day :-) I made this wonderful cake with even wonderful frosting for him, which we managed to finish off within few hours of making it. I have named it Velvet Cake with Cheese Spread Frosting, because the red color did not come out that evident. And another thing that makes this cake very special - this is my first frosting attempt !

Ingredients:

For the Cake -

Egg - 1 whole

Relish sugar - 6 tablespoon

Dark chocolate chips - 1/2 cup (optional)

Dry Ingredients

All purpose flour - 1 1/4 cup

Baking soda - 1/4 teaspoon

Baking powder - 1/4 teaspoon

Salt - 1/2 teaspoon

Cocoa powder - 1 tablespoon (I believe this is what meddled with the color. Use 1/2 tablespoon and see)

Wet Ingredients

Olive oil - 180 ml

Buttermilk - 120 ml (in room temperature)

Red food colouring - 1 tablespoon

White vinegar - 1/2 teaspoon

Vanilla extract - 1/2 teaspoon

For the Frosting - 

Cheese spread (softened) - 6 tablespoon (the original recipe called for cream cheese, which I did not have)

Salted butter (softened) - 50 gram

Vanilla extract - 1/4 teaspoon

Relish Sugar - 12 tablespoon

Preparation:

For the Cake

1. Sift together the dry ingredients.

2. In big enough mixing bowl, beat together sugar and egg until page and creamy in medium speed. This will take about 10 minutes.

3. To this add the wet ingredients one by one, beating to combine after every addition.

4. Add the sifted flour mix, in parts, beating well to combine. If using chocolate chips, add 1/4 cup and fold in at this stage.

5. Pre-heat over at 180 degree celcius. Line a square baking dish with butter paper and careful pour the cake batter into it. Shake the dish to allow the batter to even out. You may sprinkle some dark chocolate over the batter.

6. Bake in the over for 20 minutes.

For the Frosting

7. In a mixing bowl, mix together cheese spread, butter and vanilla extra using electric beater until well combined and creamy. To this add the powdered sugar and beat again to combine.

8. When the cake is ready and cooled, carefully spread a thick layer of frosting over it. Sprinkle with leftover chocolate chips (if using)

9. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours and enjoy with your valentine! :-P