The red makes sense, but what about the velvet in red velvet cakes iconic name? Food historians say it was a common description during the victorian era when the term described cakes that had an especially soft and velvety crumb. From the color to the crumb, this homemade red velvet cake is a dessert classic. If you prefer cupcakes over cakes, our classic red velvet cake recipe works perfectly for that check out our "Expert tips" Section for guidance.