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
Scale
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.
