Description
This Purple Velvet Cake is a vibrant twist on the classic red velvet, featuring a striking purple hue and a rich, creamy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for celebrations or anytime you want a visually stunning and delicious cake with a moist, tender crumb and smooth, tangy frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon purple food coloring (or more, for desired color)
Frosting Ingredients
- 1 pound cream cheese, softened
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the cakes once baked.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder to evenly combine and aerate the mixture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, room temperature buttermilk, eggs, red and purple food coloring, white distilled vinegar, and vanilla extract until well blended.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until the batter is smooth and well combined without over-mixing to maintain tenderness.
- Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Place them in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cakes spring back lightly when touched.
- Cool the Cakes: Remove the pans from the oven and allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then, turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sifted confectioners’ sugar and continue to beat until the frosting is fluffy and light.
- Frost the Cake: Once the cake layers are fully cooled, evenly spread the cream cheese frosting over one cake layer, place the second layer on top, and frost the top and sides as desired to finish your purple velvet cake.
Notes
- Room temperature ingredients such as eggs and buttermilk help achieve a smooth batter and even rising.
- You can adjust the amount of purple food coloring to get your preferred shade of purple.
- Ensure cakes are completely cool before frosting to avoid melting the cream cheese frosting.
- This cake pairs well with fresh berries or edible flowers for decoration.
- Store the cake covered in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese frosting; bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
