(Cupcake) Velveting

I'll never really understand the "red velvet craze." People go nuts for it. Is it chocolate? Is it vanilla? Who knows? (Actually I do: A "classic" red velvet cake is made with cocoa powder and apple cider vinegar which together create a chemical reaction, turning the batter a brownish-red color.) 

I'd go for a rich vanilla cupcake or a smooth chocolate one before going red, yet, today we trekked through the frosty Chicago cold in the search for the best red velvet cake to order for an upcoming birthday. We only made it to a few bakeries but it was interesting to compare one cake flavor across the board. I admit, I won't be having red velvet for a good long while after eating so much of it in one sitting, but, congratulations to our winner of the day, Sweet Sensations!

Contestants: Swirlz, Sweet Sensations, Sweet Mandy B's, Molly's, and Bake.

Interested in visiting these bakeries? Locate 'em here!