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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350°F and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by greasing and flouring them thoroughly.
- Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl, sifting flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder until well blended.
- 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.
- Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring carefully until batter becomes silky and no lumps remain.
- Distribute batter evenly between prepared cake pans, ensuring balanced layers.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center that comes out clean.
- Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- Prepare frosting by beating cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until creamy and well-integrated.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, continuing to beat until frosting becomes light and fluffy.
- Assemble cake by layering and generously spreading frosting between and over cake layers.
- Enhance purple color by adding food coloring gradually, testing intensity with each drop.
- Ensure cream cheese and butter are room temperature for smoother, more spreadable frosting.
- Consider substituting cake flour for a more delicate cake texture.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature, optionally garnishing with edible flowers or purple sugar sprinkles.
- 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