Inspired by Classic Hollywood actress Lana Turner, my Lanallure Red Velvet Cake is as decadent, elegant, and glamorous as the star herself.

March 10, 2020 Updated March 13, 2022 Jump to Recipe
Inspired by Classic Hollywood actress Lana Turner, my Lanallure Red Velvet Cake is as decadent, elegant, and glamorous as the star herself.
At age 19, Lana Turner became a star at the most glamorous of all Hollywood studios, MGM.
According to Lana, she knew she’d achieved stardom at MGM when two things happened.
The first sign of Lana’s new star power occurred when Louis B. Mayer, the head of MGM, agreed to Lana’s request for a private dressing room. Of all the young, beautiful actresses working on the 1939 film, These Glamour Girls, it was Lana who asked for her own dressing room, and got it.
The second sign of Lana’s graduation to stardom was when a salad in the studio commissary was named the “Lanallure Salad” after her. As Lana mused about this lucky salad’s role in her career [aff. link],
“Maybe that was it. I got top billing in my next picture.”
I can’t find any record of what the “Lanallure Salad” entailed. I’m sure I’ll develop my own Lanallure Salad recipe at some point. But today, I’m borrowing the “Lanallure” name for an entirely different type of recipe. Nothing against salads, but a star as glamorous as Lana Turner deserves to be the namesake of a more glamorous dish.
And in my book, red velvet cake fits the bill.
So this is my Lanallure Red Velvet Cake.
I’ve got a controversial confession to make.
I think cream cheese frosting is overrated.
And I don’t particularly enjoy it on red velvet cake.
In fact, cream cheese frosting wasn’t even historically used on red velvet when the cake first appeared last century. That distinction belongs to the difficult to make, but incredibly delicious, whipped roux “ermine” frosting. But I’m getting sidetracked here…
Since I’m not a huge fan of cream cheese frosting, and I’m still developing my own fool-proof ermine frosting recipe, I decided to pair this decadent red velvet cake with my Classic Buttercream Frosting. It’s impossible to go wrong with my easy buttercream recipe, and it’s absolutely delicious with this Lanallure Red Velvet Cake.
Make my Lanallure Red Velvet Cake next time you’re craving a decadent, elegant dessert. When you see this beautiful cake, I’m sure you’ll agree there’s no better namesake than the glamorous Lana Turner.
This cake recipe uses whipped egg whites. If you’ve never whipped egg whites before, I’ve got a photo tutorial in my Heart Chiffon Cakes with Chocolate Chunks recipe. Be sure to check it out for my tips and tricks.
And take a look at my Lana Turner: A Life of Fashion article for all about Lana and my collection of Lana Turner owned items.
This Post Has 4 Comments
I get ya when it comes to cream cheese frosting. I must admit that I do like cream cheese frosting with a couple of cakes – namely red velvet and carrot – but in general I always opt for buttercream. The worst is when a coworker has a birthday, and someone gets a cake from the store with cream cheese frosting…or worse, that “bettercream” stuff. Blech. Buttercream all the way for me! Anyways, this cake is beautiful!
Thank you David! Totally agree with you about buttercream. Whipped roux and buttercream are my absolute favorites. 😋
What a fabulous red velvet cake, Shannon! I don’t mind cream cheese frosting but agree it’s not the best. I’d love to try a piece of this, it truly looks luxurious!
Thanks Katerina! 💗