Purple Velvet Cake
Welcome to the vibrant world of Purple Velvet Cake, where traditional baking meets a colorful twist! This moist and velvety cake, paired with rich cream cheese frosting, is perfect for celebrations like Valentine's Day, birthdays, or even as a show-stopping dessert for brunch.
Servings: 12
Calories: 519kcal
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk at room temperature
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon or more, as needed purple food coloring
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 pound cream cheese softened
- 2 sticks 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar sifted
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, then set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, red and purple food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until the batter is smooth and evenly colored. Adjust the purple food coloring as needed for your desired shade.
- Bake the Cakes:
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer on high speed until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the sifted confectioners' sugar, beating on low speed until fully combined and fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, spread an even layer of cream cheese frosting over the top of one cake layer.
- Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
- Smooth out the frosting for a polished look, or create decorative swirls as desired.
Notes
Adjusting the Color: To achieve the perfect purple hue, add the purple food coloring a drop at a time and mix thoroughly until you reach your desired shade.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your cream cheese, butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature for smoother batter and frosting.
Substituting Cake Flour: For an even softer cake texture, you can substitute cake flour for all-purpose flour using the same measurements.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Purple Velvet Cake as the centerpiece of any celebration. It pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea.
For added elegance, garnish the cake with edible flowers or a sprinkle of purple sugar crystals.
Storage
Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For the best flavor and texture, let the cake sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before serving after refrigeration.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your cream cheese, butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature for smoother batter and frosting.
Substituting Cake Flour: For an even softer cake texture, you can substitute cake flour for all-purpose flour using the same measurements.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Purple Velvet Cake as the centerpiece of any celebration. It pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea.
For added elegance, garnish the cake with edible flowers or a sprinkle of purple sugar crystals.
Storage
Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For the best flavor and texture, let the cake sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before serving after refrigeration.