If you’ve been searching for a show-stopping dessert that combines vibrant color with moist, tender crumb and a luscious, creamy frosting, this Purple Velvet Cake Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a delightful twist on the classic red velvet cake, turning the spotlight to a gorgeous purple hue that immediately captures attention and hearts. Not only does this cake look stunning, but it’s also incredibly moist, with just the right hint of cocoa and a rich cream cheese frosting that makes every bite feel like a celebration. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply want to treat yourself, this Purple Velvet Cake Recipe will quickly become a beloved favorite in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Purple Velvet Cake Recipe plays an essential role, from creating the perfect texture to delivering that exquisite purple color and moist crumb. Don’t let the list intimidate you—most are pantry staples, and together they blend into something truly magical.
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour: The foundation for the cake’s structure, ensuring it’s soft yet sturdy enough to hold the layers.
- 1½ cups granulated sugar: Sweetness that balances the slight tang from the buttermilk and cream cheese.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cake rise perfectly, giving a tender crumb.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors, making each ingredient shine through.
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder: A subtle hint of chocolate flavor, crucial for that classic velvet cake depth.
- 1½ cups vegetable oil: Keeps the cake super moist and tender throughout.
- 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature): Adds moisture and a slight tang that complements the cream cheese frosting beautifully.
- 2 large eggs (room temperature): Act as binders while adding richness to the batter.
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring: This traditional velvet cake dye blends with purple food coloring to create that mesmerizing purple shade.
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar: Reacts with the baking soda to ensure the cake rises well and deepens the flavor.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a warm, aromatic undertone that brings all flavors together.
- 1 teaspoon purple food coloring: The star for achieving the vibrant purple color that makes this cake so unique.
- 1 pound cream cheese (softened): Essential for the luscious, tangy frosting that pairs perfectly with the cake layers.
- 2 sticks unsalted butter (room temperature): Adds richness and helps create a smooth, fluffy frosting texture.
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar (sifted): Sweetens and stabilizes the cream cheese frosting for that perfect spreadable consistency.
How to Make Purple Velvet Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), which is the perfect temperature for getting that moist, evenly baked crumb. Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans thoroughly to ensure the layers come out clean and smooth. Getting this step right means your cake layers will look as beautiful as they taste.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, sift together your all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Sifting is a great tip—it helps remove any lumps, aerates the mixture for a lighter cake, and ensures even distribution of all components.
Step 3: Combine Your Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, white vinegar, vanilla extract, and purple food coloring until you have a smooth, uniform mixture. The combination of red and purple food coloring is what gives this cake its signature color while keeping the flavor profile reminiscent of classic velvet cakes.
Step 4: Bring Wet and Dry Ingredients Together
Slowly mix your wet ingredients into the dry mix, blending just until combined. Be careful not to overmix here; doing so can develop the gluten in the flour too much and make the cake tough. Once the batter is smooth with no streaks, divide it evenly between your prepared pans.
Step 5: Bake and Cool the Cakes
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The cakes should feel springy to the touch. Once baked, allow them to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes—this helps them set—then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely before frosting. This cooling step is crucial to avoid any frosting meltdowns.
Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together until fluffy and smooth. Gradually add the sifted confectioners’ sugar while continuing to beat the mixture until it becomes creamy and spreadable. This frosting is rich yet light, with just the right tang that perfectly balances the sweetness of the cake.
Step 7: Frost and Assemble Your Cake
Once the cake layers are completely cooled, generously spread the cream cheese frosting between the layers and over the top and sides of the cake. Don’t be shy here—a thick layer of frosting elevates the experience and ensures every bite is decadent and delightful.
How to Serve Purple Velvet Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your Purple Velvet Cake Recipe by garnishing with simple yet elegant touches like fresh berries, edible flowers, or a sprinkle of crushed pistachios for texture and color contrast. A light dusting of purple sanding sugar on the edges of the frosting can add a subtle sparkle that’s impossible to resist.
Side Dishes
Though this cake shines wonderfully on its own, pairing it with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream can take your dessert to the next level, especially when serving at gatherings. Fresh fruit like raspberries or blackberries provide a refreshing balance to the sweetness without overwhelming your palate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a memorable presentation, serve slices on a white or clear glass cake stand to highlight the beautiful purple layers and frosting contrast. You can also cut the cake into petite squares for a party dessert table or layer it in dessert cups with extra frosting and berries to create Purple Velvet Cake parfaits that are as lovely as they are delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store your Purple Velvet Cake covered in the refrigerator to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh. A cake dome or airtight container works best to prevent the cake from drying out. This cake stays moist and flavorful for up to 4 days when stored properly.
Freezing
You can freeze the cake layers before frosting if you want to prepare in advance. Wrap cooled layers tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to avoid freezer burn. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then apply the cream cheese frosting fresh for the best taste and texture.
Reheating
Because of the cream cheese frosting, reheating cake slices is not recommended as it can cause the frosting to melt and separate. Instead, bring refrigerated cake slices to room temperature before serving to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
While regular milk can be used in a pinch, buttermilk adds a unique tang and acidity that helps activate the baking soda, giving the cake its signature texture and slight tang. You could also make a buttermilk substitute by adding a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
What if I don’t have purple food coloring?
If you only have red and blue food coloring, you can mix them to create purple—start with a base of red and add blue drop by drop until you reach the desired shade. The combination of red and blue perfectly mimics the richness of purple used in this recipe.
Is this cake very sweet?
This Purple Velvet Cake Recipe strikes a perfect balance—it’s sweet but not overwhelmingly so, thanks to the subtle cocoa powder and slightly tangy cream cheese frosting. The sugar levels complement each other to create a harmonious flavor profile.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, but keep in mind that the texture may slightly differ. Ensure your blend contains xanthan gum or a similar binder to maintain structure and moisture.
How long does this cake stay fresh?
When stored correctly in the refrigerator, this cake remains fresh and delicious for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freezing the layers before frosting is ideal, allowing you to enjoy the cake’s freshness at your convenience.
Final Thoughts
I can’t encourage you enough to give this Purple Velvet Cake Recipe a try—it’s a perfect blend of stunning color, tender crumb, and irresistibly creamy frosting that brings joy to any occasion. Baking this cake is not only fun but also incredibly rewarding when you slice into those vibrant layers. Gather your ingredients, preheat the oven, and trust me, this cake will become your new go-to favorite for celebrations or any time you want a special treat.
Print
Purple Velvet Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This stunning Purple Velvet Cake is a delightful twist on the classic red velvet, featuring vibrant purple hues balanced with a moist, tender crumb and rich cream cheese frosting. Perfect for celebrations or any occasion where you want to impress with both flavor and visual appeal.
Ingredients
Cake
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1½ cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon purple food coloring
Frosting
- 1 pound cream cheese (softened)
- 2 sticks unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar (sifted)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans to ensure the cakes release cleanly after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. This ensures there are no lumps and the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, room temperature buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, white vinegar, vanilla extract, and purple food coloring until the mixture is smooth and uniform in color.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients and gently fold together until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender. Then, divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans.
- Bake the Cakes: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean, the cakes are ready. Allow cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting: Using a mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together until the texture is light and fluffy. Gradually add the sifted confectioners’ sugar and continue mixing until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Frost the Cake: Once the cake layers are completely cooled, generously spread the cream cheese frosting between layers and over the top and sides of the cake to create a luscious finish.
Notes
- Room temperature ingredients help create a smoother batter and fluffier cake texture.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter to avoid a dense cake.
- Use gel or paste food coloring for more vibrant colors without thinning the batter.
- Allow the cake to cool fully before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
- This cake stores well covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
