Purple Velvet Cake Recipe

If you’ve ever wished for a show-stopping dessert that’s as gorgeous as it is delicious, Purple Velvet Cake is your answer. This stunning cake takes all the rich, tender qualities you love in classic velvet cakes and gives them a bold, whimsical twist with vibrant purple hues. It’s soft, moist, and topped with the dreamiest cream cheese frosting, making it an irresistible centerpiece for birthdays, parties, or anytime you want to make dessert feel extra special. Prepare to wow your friends and family with a slice that looks like pure celebration!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Purple Velvet Cake plays a key role, from the buttermilk’s tang to the food coloring’s vivid charm. These pantry staples and a few bakery secrets team up to create that signature texture and unforgettable color.

• All-purpose flour: Gives the cake its classic, tender crumb—don’t substitute with cake flour for this recipe.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens every bite and helps the cake bake up moist.
• Baking soda: Ensures the cake rises perfectly and stays fluffy.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and deepens the flavor profile.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds a hint of chocolate flavor and gives depth to the purple color.
• Vegetable oil: Keeps the crumb extra moist and tender (no dry cakes here!).
• Buttermilk (room temperature): Adds tang and activates the baking soda for a light texture.
• Eggs (room temperature): Bind everything together and provide structure—don’t skip the room temperature step for even mixing.
• Purple gel food coloring: The magic behind that dazzling hue—gel color ensures intensity without thinning the batter.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with its sweet warmth.
• White vinegar: Reacts with the cocoa and baking soda for extra lift and a classic velvet cake crumb.
• Cream cheese (softened): The base for your dreamy, tangy frosting—softening makes mixing a breeze.
• Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and creaminess to the frosting.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for that perfect, spreadable consistency.
• Vanilla extract (in frosting): Layers in even more vanilla goodness.
• Pinch of salt (in frosting): Enhances all the sweet and tangy notes in the cream cheese frosting.

How to Make Purple Velvet Cake

Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. This little extra step ensures your Purple Velvet Cake layers release perfectly every time—no sticking, no crumbling, just smooth, flawless cakes ready for frosting.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Sifting not only breaks up any lumps, but it also gives your cake that remarkably light texture that makes every bite feel special.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, room temperature buttermilk, eggs, purple gel food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar. Make sure everything is well blended—the vivid purple color should be even and bright, and all the ingredients fully incorporated for the best flavor and color payoff.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Pour the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients, and gently mix just until the batter is smooth and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix; this is the secret to keeping your Purple Velvet Cake fluffy and moist.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in their pans for about 10 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely. This patience pays off—frosting warm cakes leads to a melty (and messy) situation!

Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cakes are cooling, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt, and continue beating until the frosting is light, fluffy, and irresistible. If you want a slightly thicker frosting for decorating, add a bit more powdered sugar.

Step 7: Frost and Assemble

Once your cakes are completely cool, spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting over the first layer, then top with the second cake round. Frost the top and sides with the remaining frosting, swirling it into beautiful peaks and valleys. Now, your Purple Velvet Cake is ready to dazzle!

How to Serve Purple Velvet Cake

Garnishes

Enhance your Purple Velvet Cake with a sprinkle of edible glitter, a handful of fresh berries, or even a few lavender blossoms for a pop of color and elegance. Chopped pistachios or white chocolate shavings also add crunch and visual appeal—don’t be afraid to get creative!

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with tangy fresh fruit salads, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of whipped cream. For a fun and festive touch, serve alongside a berry compote or a glass of sparkling lemonade to balance the cake’s richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your Purple Velvet Cake into individual mini cakes using a round cutter, or bake the batter in cupcake tins for stunning party-ready treats. Layer cubes of cake and frosting in glass jars for Instagram-worthy parfaits, or slice thin layers and stack tall for a dramatic, bakery-style finish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Purple Velvet Cake fresh, cover any leftovers tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The cream cheese frosting stays smooth and luscious, and the cake itself gets even more flavorful as it rests.

Freezing

If you’d like to make ahead, wrap unfrosted cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting. You can also freeze frosted slices—just be sure to separate layers with parchment to prevent sticking.

Reheating

While this cake is best enjoyed at room temperature, a quick 10- to 15-second zap in the microwave revives the softness if it’s been chilled. Let frosted slices sit out for 30 minutes before serving for that perfect, creamy texture.

FAQs

Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?

Gel food coloring is highly recommended for Purple Velvet Cake because it delivers a more vibrant color without thinning the batter. If you use liquid coloring, you may need more of it, which can affect the cake’s texture.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour. Just check that your blend includes xanthan gum or add a bit yourself for the best structure.

How do I adjust the shade of purple?

For a deeper purple, add a drop of blue gel coloring along with the purple. For a lighter or more pinkish hue, add a little red. Always add color gradually to reach your perfect shade.

Can I make Purple Velvet Cake as cupcakes?

Yes! Simply divide the batter among lined cupcake tins, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake at the same temperature for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Why does my cake sometimes turn brown instead of purple?

This can happen if your oven runs hot or if you use too much cocoa powder. Stick to the recipe’s amount and always check your oven’s actual temperature with an oven thermometer for the most vivid results.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a dessert that’s as joyful to serve as it is to eat, you can’t go wrong with Purple Velvet Cake. It’s a playful twist on a beloved classic, guaranteed to add a little magic and a lot of color to any celebration. Gather your ingredients and let your creativity shine—the first slice is pure happiness!

Purple Velvet Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Author: admin
• Total Time: 55 minutes (plus cooling time)
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Purple Velvet Cake is a vibrant and moist dessert featuring a beautifully colored purple batter made with gel food coloring, layered with a smooth and creamy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for special occasions like birthdays, weddings, or themed parties, this American-style cake combines classic velvet cake ingredients with a touch of fun and color.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• 2 tablespoons purple gel food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans thoroughly and line the bottoms with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the cakes.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, and unsweetened cocoa powder. This ensures a smooth batter with no lumps.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, room temperature buttermilk, eggs, purple gel food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar until the mixture is fully combined and smooth.
4. Combine: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients bowl. Gently mix until just smooth. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
5. Bake the Cakes: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean.
6. Cool Cakes: Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes to set, then carefully turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
7. Prepare Frosting: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together until creamy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
8. Frost the Cake: Once the cakes are completely cool, spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting on top of one layer. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake evenly.

Notes

• Use gel food coloring for the most vibrant and true purple color; you can adjust the hue by adding a drop of blue or red.
• This cake is ideal for celebrations such as birthdays, weddings, or any themed party requiring a pop of color.
• Ensure eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature for optimal batter consistency and rise.
• Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense cake texture.
• You can substitute buttermilk with milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice if needed.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/12th of the cake)
• Calories: 510
• Sugar: 45g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 56g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 55mg