Dreamy Purple Velvet Cake Recipe: A Sweet Twist on Classic

Decadent and luxurious, this purple velvet cake brings a regal twist to the classic red velvet cake that will steal the show at any gathering.

Deep purple hues swirl through a velvety batter, creating a stunning dessert that looks as spectacular as it tastes.

Layers of rich, moist cake combine smooth cream cheese frosting for an indulgent treat that surprises and delights.

The vibrant color comes from a clever blend of natural and food-safe ingredients that transform an ordinary cake into an extraordinary masterpiece.

Each slice promises a tender crumb with a delicate chocolate undertone that melts in your mouth.

The elegant purple shade makes this cake perfect for special occasions, from birthdays to elegant dinner parties.

You’ll fall in love with this show-stopping dessert that’s sure to become a new favorite in your baking repertoire.

Purple Velvet Cake Top Reasons To Love It

• Create Stunning Visual Impact: This purple velvet cake transforms ordinary baking into a spectacular showstopper with its stunning deep purple color that instantly catches everyone's eye and creates major wow factor.
• Customize Color Intensity: Bakers can easily control the purple shade by adding food coloring drop by drop, making this recipe perfect for personalization and matching specific color themes for parties or events.
• Beginner-Friendly Technique: Straightforward mixing method and simple ingredients make this cake accessible for home bakers of all skill levels, ensuring even novice cooks can produce a professional-looking dessert with minimal stress.
• Versatile Celebration Dessert: Ideal for multiple occasions like birthdays, bridal showers, or themed parties, this cake serves as a delightful centerpiece that guarantees conversation and compliments from guests.

Key Ingredients For Purple Velvet Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structure of the cake that provides a soft and tender crumb.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a moist cake texture.
• Baking Soda: A leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
• Cocoa Powder: Contributes a subtle chocolate undertone to the cake.

• Vegetable Oil: Ensures the cake remains moist and tender.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a soft cake texture.
• Eggs: Provide structure and help bind the cake ingredients together.
• Vanilla: Adds depth and enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Vinegar: Helps activate the baking soda and creates a tender crumb.

• Red Food Coloring, Purple Food Coloring: Creates the signature vibrant purple color of the cake.
• Cream Cheese: Forms the base of the creamy frosting with a tangy flavor.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth frosting texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the cream cheese frosting.

Purple Velvet Cake Simple Baking Steps

Step 1: Prepare Baking Equipment

Grab two 9-inch round cake pans.

Generously grease and flour the pans to prevent sticking.

Set your oven to 350°F to warm up.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Cocoa powder

Sift these ingredients together to remove any lumps and create a smooth mixture.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• Buttermilk
• Eggs
• Red food coloring
• Purple food coloring
• White vinegar
• Vanilla extract

Blend until the mixture looks completely smooth and has a consistent color.

Step 4: Create Cake Batter

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients.

Stir gently until the batter becomes completely smooth with no visible flour streaks.

Step 5: Bake Cake Layers

Pour the batter evenly between the two prepared pans.

Slide the pans into the preheated oven.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool Cake Layers

Let the cakes rest in the pans for 10 minutes.

Carefully transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely.

Step 7: Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Vanilla extract

Gradually add powdered sugar, continuing to beat until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.

Step 8: Assemble and Frost Cake

Place one cake layer on a serving plate.

Spread a layer of frosting.

Top with the second cake layer.

Cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting.

Step 9: Final Touches

Customize your cake’s purple intensity by adding food coloring drop by drop.

For extra flair, sprinkle with edible flowers or purple sugar.

Best Pro Tips For Purple Velvet Cake

• Start with gel food coloring for more intense purple without watering down the batter, creating a rich, deep hue that pops.
• Leave cream cheese and butter out 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure ultra-smooth, lump-free frosting that spreads like silk.
• Don't overmix the batter – stir just until ingredients combine to maintain the cake's tender, delicate crumb and prevent toughness.
• Insert a toothpick in the center – if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter, your cake is perfectly baked and won't dry out.

Purple Velvet Cake Flavor Variations To Try

• Lavender Bliss Cake: Replace purple food coloring with lavender extract and add dried lavender buds for a subtle floral flavor and natural purple hue.
• Gluten-Free Purple Sensation: Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum to maintain cake's structure and texture.
• Vegan Purple Dream: Use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, replace eggs with applesauce or flax eggs, and substitute dairy cream cheese with vegan cream cheese alternative.
• Low-Sugar Purple Delight: Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and incorporate Greek yogurt for moisture while cutting calories.

How To Serve Purple Velvet Cake Beautifully

• Party Showstopper: Bring this vibrant purple cake to potlucks, birthdays, or special gatherings where you want to wow guests with its unique color and delightful flavor.
• Sweet Tea Companion: Slice and serve alongside lavender earl grey tea or a classic chamomile for a delightful afternoon treat that elevates your dessert experience.
• Elegant Garnish Approach: Top with fresh berries, candied violets, or a light sprinkle of edible purple glitter to create a stunning presentation that catches everyone's eye.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake a day in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and making party prep stress-free and convenient.

How To Store Purple Velvet Cake Fresh

• Store covered cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Place in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
• Wrap completely cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Individually wrap cake slices in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze for quick single-serving desserts up to 2 weeks.
• Let refrigerated cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. For frozen cake, thaw in refrigerator overnight, then allow 1 hour at room temperature to restore soft texture.

FAQs

• Why is vinegar used in the recipe?

Vinegar helps activate the baking soda, creating a tender and fluffy cake texture by reacting with the other ingredients to help the cake rise.

• Can I replace buttermilk with regular milk?

No, buttermilk provides acidity and creates a more tender crumb. If you don’t have buttermilk, mix regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes.

• How do I prevent my cake from being dry?

Avoid overmixing the batter and be careful not to overbake. Use a toothpick to test doneness – it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean.

Purple Velvet Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent purple velvet cake promises a regal dessert experience with its luxurious color and rich cream cheese frosting. Elegant layers invite you to savor a slice of pure culinary magic that blends classic Southern charm with modern visual delight.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups granulated sugar
• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk (at room temperature)
• 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon purple food coloring (or more as needed)

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 pound (16 ounces) cream cheese (softened)
• 2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter (at room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 350°F and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by greasing and flouring them thoroughly.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl, sifting flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder until well blended.
3. Whisk wet ingredients in a large bowl, mixing vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, red and purple food colorings, vinegar, and vanilla until completely smooth and uniform.
4. Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring carefully until batter becomes silky and no lumps remain.
5. Distribute batter evenly between prepared cake pans, ensuring balanced layers.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center that comes out clean.
7. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
8. Prepare frosting by beating cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until creamy and well-integrated.
9. Gradually add powdered sugar, continuing to beat until frosting becomes light and fluffy.
10. Assemble cake by layering and generously spreading frosting between and over cake layers.
11. Enhance purple color by adding food coloring gradually, testing intensity with each drop.
12. Ensure cream cheese and butter are room temperature for smoother, more spreadable frosting.
13. Consider substituting cake flour for a more delicate cake texture.
14. Serve chilled or at room temperature, optionally garnishing with edible flowers or purple sugar sprinkles.
15. Refrigerate leftover cake, covered, for up to 3 days and bring to room temperature before serving for optimal flavor.

Notes

• Choose high-quality food coloring for a vibrant, consistent purple hue without bitter aftertaste.
• Sift dry ingredients thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth, even cake texture.
• Room temperature ingredients blend more seamlessly, creating a lighter, more tender cake crumb.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version without compromising taste or structure.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 482
• Sugar: 44 g
• Sodium: 183 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 57 g
• Fiber: 1.2 g
• Protein: 4.5 g
• Cholesterol: 56 mg