Great Canadian Heinz Ketchup Cake

Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

Step 2
Make the cake: Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and ginger together in a bowl. Mix ketchup, water, and food coloring together in a separate bowl.

Step 3
Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Blend in sugar until creamy, then mix in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated. Add flour mixture in two batches on low speed, alternating with ketchup mixture, scraping down the bowl as needed, until well combined. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat for 1 minute. Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans.

Step 4
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool in the pans on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then run a table knife around the edges to loosen. Invert each layer carefully onto the wire rack. Let cool completely, about 15 more minutes.

Step 5
While the cake layers are cooling, make the frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually mix in powdered sugar on low speed, scraping the bowl as needed, then beat on high speed until fluffy.

Step 6
Place one cooled cake layer onto a serving plate. Cover with frosting and spread to the edges. Place remaining cake layer on top. Frost the sides of the cake, then finish by frosting the top.