Have you heard about these red velvet cupcakes? They are all the rage – or at least, in Hollywood and with the elite (or those who think they’re in the cool clique).

I first heard about them from Oprah. It was the usual with her and me, just chillin’ in my living room while she was going on about some of her favourite things a few years ago. Anyway, I think Gayle piped in about some red velvet cupcakes she’d had and went on and on about them.

Then it was Ellen proclaiming their goodness. So it must be good if Ellen says so! Even though I had no idea what red velvet tasted like. Strawberries? Cherry? Twizzlers? Then every magazine I read was talking about the delectable and fancy treat. So about a year ago I was given the opportunity to try one. Someone had picked one up from Starbucks, and with their baked good track record I was expecting awesome.

What I got was a spongy, albeit somewhat dry, tasteless confectionery concoction that I think pretended to have chocolate in it. Um, this is what the fuss is all about? Celebrities; they don’t have good taste.

And so went my thought on the subject. Since the Starbucks incident, I have seen red velvet showcased as a delicacy on many a cake baking TV show, but I have not had the chance to try another bite of red velvet cake (not that I’d want to). And then an article in The Toronto Star popped up singing the praises of red velvet, yet again endorsed by a celebrity. This time, Katie Holmes.

Now, before you start ripping into Katie and her choice in men (I mean really? She can’t wear heels?), just know that it was the recipe that drew me in. Here’s the recipe link.

For whatever reason, I was itching to try this recipe. It seemed so easy! And one of my life’s goals is to gather a collection of from-scratch cake recipes. The ones I had tried lately failed miserably.

I gathered my ingredients, made a mess of the kitchen and popped these babies out of the oven. I put one in the freezer for five minutes. If they tasted good, I would go ahead and make the icing.

They not only tasted good, but were light and fluffy and yummy! Not overpowering, a delicate chocolate taste, and an overall YUM appeal. Parents agreed!

And, um, I totally meant to take some pictures, but we ate them all before I could!