Testing the Internet's Worst-Rated Ketchup Cake Recipe

The Infamous Ketchup Cake

• 💡 The video features a challenge to make and taste the "great Canadian Hines ketchup cake," a recipe that gained notoriety online.
• ⚠️ The host expresses initial skepticism, noting that ketchup is an unusual ingredient for a cake, especially one intended to resemble red velvet.

Baking and Decoration Process

• 🍰 Classic spice cake ingredients like nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon are used, alongside red food dye to achieve the red velvet appearance.
• 🧈 The batter is prepared using standard creaming methods for butter and sugar, incorporating eggs and alternating dry and wet ingredients.
• 🎨 Once baked and cooled, the cake is decorated with cream cheese frosting, which the host believes can improve almost any cake's flavor.

Guest Taste Test and Reactions

• 🧑‍🍳 Shelby James, a self-proclaimed foodie but not a baker, is invited to taste the cake without knowing the secret ingredient.
• 🤔 Shelby initially praises the cake's appearance, moisture content, and the balance of the frosting, giving it a five-star rating.
• 😲 Shelby is surprised to learn that the cake contains approximately one cup of ketchup, admitting he couldn't taste it and that it tasted like red velvet.

Online Reviews vs. Reality

• 📉 The host reads negative online reviews calling the cake an "abomination" and giving it one star, stating it ruined both dessert and ketchup for them.
• 🤨 Despite the harsh reviews, Shelby maintains his positive assessment, noting the cake is "bomb" and "actually good."
• 🧐 Shelby does mention a slight "weird aftertaste" but attributes it to red 40 rather than the ketchup, and confirms he doesn't taste beetle or red grasshopper as suggested by one review.

Final Verdict

• ✅ The "Great Canadian Ketchup Cake" receives a five-star rating from the guest, who confirms it tastes good despite the unconventional ingredient.