If you’re ready to wow your guests and treat yourself, look no further than the Divine Blue Velvet Cake. This stunning dessert takes everything you love about classic red velvet and transforms it into a showstopping blue masterpiece with a tender crumb, subtle cocoa notes, and tangy cream cheese frosting. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to add a pop of color to your table, this cake is a feast for the senses and a guaranteed conversation starter.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the Divine Blue Velvet Cake lies in its straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients, each playing a key role in this cake’s signature flavor, texture, and unforgettable hue. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why it matters.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cake, giving it just the right structure and softness.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the cake develop a moist, tender crumb.
- Baking soda: Lifts the cake, ensuring it bakes up light and fluffy every time.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Provides that hint of chocolate complexity, balancing the sweetness beautifully.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and keeps the sweetness in check.
- Buttermilk (room temperature): Gives the cake its signature tang and helps create a velvety texture.
- Vegetable oil: Makes for an ultra-moist crumb that stays tender even after chilling.
- Large eggs (room temperature): Binds the batter and adds richness.
- White vinegar: Reacts with the baking soda for extra lift and a delicate crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the overall flavor profile.
- Royal blue food coloring: Delivers that bold, eye-catching blue color that makes this cake stand out.
- Violet food coloring (optional): For a deeper, richer blue if you want to take the hue up a notch.
- Cream cheese (softened): The heart of that classic tangy frosting everyone craves.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Gives the frosting its creamy, spreadable texture.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to perfection.
- Milk: Just a splash to get your frosting to that dreamy, spreadable consistency.
How to Make Divine Blue Velvet Cake
Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Preheat
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper for easy release. This step is essential for a smooth, stress-free cake removal later on.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt. Make sure everything is thoroughly combined so each bite of your Divine Blue Velvet Cake has that consistent, delicious texture.
Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, beat together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, white vinegar, vanilla extract, royal blue food coloring, and (if using) violet food coloring. The food coloring is what gives this cake its stunning blue hue, so don’t be shy!
Step 4: Combine and Mix
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring just until everything is incorporated. Be careful not to overmix; you want a smooth batter without developing too much gluten, which keeps the cake tender.
Step 5: Bake the Cakes
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans and smooth out the tops. Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in their pans for about 10 minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
While your cakes cool, whip up the frosting by beating together the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy and smooth. Add the vanilla, then gradually mix in the powdered sugar. Drizzle in milk as needed to reach your ideal frosting consistency.
Step 7: Assemble and Frost
Once the cakes are fully cooled, spread a thick layer of frosting between the layers, then cover the top and sides. For the cleanest slices, chill the frosted cake for a little while before cutting. Stand back and admire your Divine Blue Velvet Cake masterpiece before serving!
How to Serve Divine Blue Velvet Cake
Garnishes
Finish your Divine Blue Velvet Cake with a flourish! Fresh berries, a sprinkle of edible glitter, or a scattering of white chocolate curls make for a beautiful, festive presentation. Even a handful of blue sprinkles echoes the cake’s theme and adds a playful touch.
Side Dishes
Pair slices of this cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, a few juicy strawberries, or a dollop of whipped cream. These simple sides balance the richness of the cream cheese frosting and make each bite feel extra special.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or celebrations, stack your Divine Blue Velvet Cake tall and finish with sparkling candles. Serving a crowd? Cut the cake into cubes and create a colorful dessert platter with fresh fruit and chocolate-dipped pretzels. Or, bake the batter in cupcake tins for adorable, individual servings!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Divine Blue Velvet Cake stays moist and delicious for up to 4 days when tightly covered and refrigerated. The cream cheese frosting keeps the cake from drying out, but be sure to bring slices to room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Freezing
You can freeze the unfrosted cake layers for up to 2 months. Wrap each layer tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and frost as usual. Even fully frosted slices freeze well; just use an airtight container and separate layers with parchment paper.
Reheating
For that fresh-from-the-oven feel, let refrigerated slices sit at room temperature for 30–45 minutes before serving. If you’re in a hurry, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave softens the cake and frosting without melting everything into a mess.
FAQs
Can I make Divine Blue Velvet Cake as cupcakes?
Absolutely! Simply divide the batter among cupcake liners and bake for 18–20 minutes. You’ll get about 24 vibrant cupcakes, each topped with a swirl of luscious cream cheese frosting.
What if I don’t have violet food coloring?
No worries! The royal blue food coloring alone will create a beautiful blue shade. The violet is just for a deeper, more dramatic hue, but your Divine Blue Velvet Cake will still look stunning without it.
Can I use natural food coloring?
You can, but keep in mind that plant-based food colorings may not produce as vivid a blue. If you’re going for that signature Divine Blue Velvet Cake look, gel or liquid food colorings give the most reliable results.
Is there a substitute for buttermilk?
Yes! If you’re out of buttermilk, stir 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar into 1 cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes. This homemade version will give your cake the same tang and texture.
How do I keep my cake layers even?
To get perfectly even cake layers, weigh your filled pans before baking and smooth the batter with a spatula. If you want to really level up, trim any domed tops with a serrated knife before assembling.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about slicing into a Divine Blue Velvet Cake and seeing those vibrant blue layers beneath clouds of cream cheese frosting. Whether you’re baking for a birthday, a baby shower, or just because, this cake is guaranteed to make memories. Go ahead, give it a try, and let your kitchen be filled with joy and color!
Print
Divine Blue Velvet Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes (plus cooling time)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Divine Blue Velvet Cake is a vibrant and moist dessert featuring a striking royal blue hue with a hint of cocoa, layered and frosted with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for special occasions, it combines classic flavors with a visually stunning presentation, making it both a feast for the eyes and the palate.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon royal blue food coloring
- ½ teaspoon violet food coloring (optional, for richer hue)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)
Instructions
- Prepare the pans and preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the cakes.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt until thoroughly combined.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, white vinegar, vanilla extract, royal blue food coloring, and violet food coloring (if using) until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures: Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing just until the batter is smooth and homogenous. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a tender crumb.
- Bake the cakes: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 28–32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cakes: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes to set, then remove them from the pans and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is vital for frosting adherence without melting.
- Make the frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together until creamy and smooth. Add vanilla extract and gradually beat in the powdered sugar. Add milk tablespoon by tablespoon until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
- Assemble the cake: Once the cakes are completely cooled, frost the top of one cake layer, then place the second layer on top. Frost the top and sides of the entire cake evenly, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
- Chill and serve: Chill the assembled cake briefly in the refrigerator to set the frosting, which makes slicing cleaner. Serve and enjoy the bold colors and rich flavors.
Notes
- For cupcakes, reduce baking time to 18–20 minutes and adjust portions accordingly.
- Blue velvet cake pairs beautifully with fresh berries or a drizzle of white chocolate for an extra special touch.
- Ensure all wet ingredients are at room temperature to create a smooth batter and even bake.
- Using the optional violet food coloring enriches the cake’s hue but is not necessary for taste or texture.
- Chilling the cake before serving helps with cleaner slicing and better presentation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 64g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
