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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Combine: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients bowl. Gently mix until just smooth. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
