Description
Purple Velvet Cake is a moist, soft, and visually stunning dessert with a subtle cocoa flavor and rich cream cheese frosting. Perfect for celebrations, this vibrant cake combines a tender crumb with a tangy-sweet finish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon purple gel food coloring
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (for frosting), softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt.
- Add butter, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, vegetable oil, and vinegar. Beat until smooth and combined.
- Mix in purple gel food coloring until evenly distributed.
- Divide batter evenly into prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
- Add vanilla extract and salt, then mix until fully combined.
- Place one cake layer on a plate, spread frosting on top, then add the second layer.
- Frost the top and sides evenly, then decorate as desired.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for a smooth batter and even baking.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake soft and tender.
- Adjust the amount of purple food coloring for desired vibrancy.
- Chill frosting slightly if it becomes too soft while decorating.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg