Learn how to make a Mahogany layer cake with classic ermine frosting for the perfect Valentine’s day dessert.

Mahogany Cake Recipe: Classic Cake With Ermine Frosting

Mahogany cake is a tender, fine-crumb velvet cake. The cake gets its name from its reddish-brown color. Mahogany cake dates back to the late 1800s in US cookbooks and is the first chocolate cake on record, predating red velvet cake. The Victorian-era technique of combining baking soda—rather than baking powder—with vinegar, <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sour-cream' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sour-cream","linkCopy":"sour cream","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>sour cream</a>, or buttermilk yields a soft, velvety interior. Traditionally, bakers finish Mahogany cake with [ermine frosting](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ermine-frosting-recipe).	

In the late 1800s in the United States, the traditional velvet cake was made with the addition of unsweetened chocolate or cocoa powder. At the time, [cocoa powder](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-cocoa-culinary-uses-of-cocoa-powder) was not commercially alkalized; it was naturally acidic. Combining the cocoa powder with the baking soda and vinegar mixture released the red anthocyanin pigments in <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/cacao-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/cacao-guide","linkCopy":"cacao","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>cacao</a>. This created a reddish-brown cake color and left a hint of chocolate flavor.

Ermine frosting was likely developed in the late nineteenth century to pair with Mahogany cake, a popular chocolate cake in the United States. The name of the frosting might refer to its silky-smooth texture, which feels as luxurious as the pelt of an ermine, a species of weasel known for its soft white fur. Since ermine frosting doesn’t use eggs and contains less butter and sugar than [buttercreams](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/buttercream-frosting-recipe) and most other frostings, it was an economical alternative to other frostings.

These favorite classic cakes are variations on the original Mahogany cake:

1. __Red velvet__: The original recipe for red velvet cake entailed baking a traditional Mahogany cake with beet juice. Try adding a few tablespoons in place of some buttermilk for a naturally dyed cake. Or, simply add a few drops of red food coloring. Bakers originally spread ermine frosting on red velvet cake, like a classic Mahogany cake. Now, [cream cheese frosting](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cream-cheese-frosting-recipe) commonly replaces ermine frosting on red velvet cake.
2. __Devil’s food__: Rather than cocoa powder, devil’s food cake gets its flavor from unsweetened chocolate baking squares. The name acts as a foil to [angel food cake](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/angel-food-cake-recipe), which is vanilla, fluffy, and white, compared to the rich chocolatey flavor of devil’s food cake. Try it with [chocolate frosting](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chocolate-whipped-cream-frosting-recipe) for a decadent birthday cake or holiday dessert.

Learn how to make a Mahogany layer cake with classic ermine frosting for the perfect Valentine’s day dessert.

Mahogany cake is a tender, fine-crumb velvet cake. The cake gets its name from its reddish-brown color. Mahogany cake dates back to the late 1800s in US cookbooks and is the first chocolate cake on record, predating red velvet cake. The Victorian-era technique of combining baking soda—rather than baking powder—with vinegar, <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sour-cream' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sour-cream","linkCopy":"sour cream","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>sour cream</a>, or buttermilk yields a soft, velvety interior. Traditionally, bakers finish Mahogany cake with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ermine-frosting-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ermine-frosting-recipe","linkCopy":"ermine frosting","category":null}'>ermine frosting</a>.

What Is Mahogany Cake? 

In the late 1800s in the United States, the traditional velvet cake was made with the addition of unsweetened chocolate or cocoa powder. At the time, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-cocoa-culinary-uses-of-cocoa-powder' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-cocoa-culinary-uses-of-cocoa-powder","linkCopy":"cocoa powder","category":null}'>cocoa powder</a> was not commercially alkalized; it was naturally acidic. Combining the cocoa powder with the baking soda and vinegar mixture released the red anthocyanin pigments in <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/cacao-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/cacao-guide","linkCopy":"cacao","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>cacao</a>. This created a reddish-brown cake color and left a hint of chocolate flavor.

What Makes Mahogany Cake Red?

Ermine frosting was likely developed in the late nineteenth century to pair with Mahogany cake, a popular chocolate cake in the United States. The name of the frosting might refer to its silky-smooth texture, which feels as luxurious as the pelt of an ermine, a species of weasel known for its soft white fur. Since ermine frosting doesn’t use eggs and contains less butter and sugar than <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/buttercream-frosting-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/buttercream-frosting-recipe","linkCopy":"buttercreams","category":null}'>buttercreams</a> and most other frostings, it was an economical alternative to other frostings.

What Is Ermine Frosting?

These favorite classic cakes are variations on the original Mahogany cake:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Red velvet: The original recipe for red velvet cake entailed baking a traditional Mahogany cake with beet juice. Try adding a few tablespoons in place of some buttermilk for a naturally dyed cake. Or, simply add a few drops of red food coloring. Bakers originally spread ermine frosting on red velvet cake, like a classic Mahogany cake. Now, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cream-cheese-frosting-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cream-cheese-frosting-recipe","linkCopy":"cream cheese frosting","category":null}'>cream cheese frosting</a> commonly replaces ermine frosting on red velvet cake. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Devil’s food: Rather than cocoa powder, devil’s food cake gets its flavor from unsweetened chocolate baking squares. The name acts as a foil to <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/angel-food-cake-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/angel-food-cake-recipe","linkCopy":"angel food cake","category":null}'>angel food cake</a>, which is vanilla, fluffy, and white, compared to the rich chocolatey flavor of devil’s food cake. Try it with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chocolate-whipped-cream-frosting-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chocolate-whipped-cream-frosting-recipe","linkCopy":"chocolate frosting","category":null}'>chocolate frosting</a> for a decadent birthday cake or holiday dessert. </li></ol>

2 Mahogany Cake Variations 

Classic Mahogany Cake Recipe

Learn how to make a Mahogany layer cake with classic ermine frosting for the perfect Valentine’s day dessert.

Learn how to make a Mahogany layer cake with classic ermine frosting for the perfect Valentine’s day dessert.
