Description
This Purple Velvet Cake features a moist, tender crumb with a unique purple hue achieved by combining red and purple food coloring, complemented by a rich cream cheese frosting. Perfect for celebrations or whenever you want a colorful twist on a classic velvet cake.
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 (approximately 1 cup)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder to ensure even distribution and remove lumps.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine vegetable oil, room temperature buttermilk, room temperature eggs, red and purple food coloring, white distilled vinegar, and vanilla extract. Mix well until fully blended.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until the batter is smooth and uniformly combined, avoiding overmixing.
- Divide Batter and Bake: Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared pans. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and transfer to a wire rack. Let cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sifted confectioners’ sugar, beating continuously until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable.
- Frost the Cake: Once the cake layers are completely cooled, spread an even layer of cream cheese frosting onto one layer, place the second layer on top, and frost the top and sides as desired. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Ensure eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature to achieve a smooth batter and even texture.
- Adjust the amount of purple food coloring to achieve your preferred shade of purple.
- Use sifted confectioners’ sugar for a smoother frosting texture.
- Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- This cake can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
