Royal Purple Velvet Cake Recipe: Bake Like Royalty

Decadent chocolate cake meets regal elegance in this purple velvet cake that turns ordinary dessert into a stunning centerpiece.

The classic red velvet recipe takes a whimsical twist with vibrant purple food coloring, creating a showstopping treat.

Smooth cream cheese frosting perfectly complements the soft, velvety crumb of this delightful confection.

Rich cocoa undertones blend seamlessly with the striking purple hue, making each slice a visual and gustatory delight.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this eye-catching dessert that promises to impress at any gathering.

Prepare to wow your guests with a cake that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

One bite will transport you to a world of sweet, colorful indulgence.

Perfect Pairings for Purple Velvet Cake Recipe

• Party Perfection Platter: Create a stunning dessert display by surrounding the purple velvet cake with lavender-colored macarons, silver dragées, and fresh edible flowers for an elegant celebration centerpiece.
• Teatime Treasure: Slice the cake into delicate wedges and serve alongside earl grey tea or lavender lemonade, complementing the cake's rich purple hue and creating a sophisticated afternoon treat.
• Sweet Surprise Garnish: Top each cake slice with a sprinkle of edible purple glitter, candied violet petals, or a light dusting of lavender-tinted powdered sugar to enhance the cake's magical color and add extra visual appeal.
• Dessert Date Night: Pair individual cake slices with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, creating a romantic and indulgent dessert experience perfect for special occasions.

Keep It Fresh for Purple Velvet Cake Recipe

• Counter Storage Magic: Keep cake covered at room temperature for 1-2 days. Use a cake dome or large container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store frosted cake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Always wrap loosely with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container to protect flavor and texture.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap individual cake layers or whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving for best results.
• Slice Separation Trick: Place wax paper or parchment paper between cake slices when storing in the refrigerator to prevent sticking and maintain individual slice integrity.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 12

What Goes In for Purple Velvet Cake Recipe

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the cake's tender structure with balanced protein content for soft crumb.
• Cocoa Powder: Provides rich chocolate undertone and deepens the cake's color complexity.
• Baking Soda: Essential leavening agent ensuring light and airy cake texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances sweetness.

• Eggs: Binds ingredients together and adds richness to cake's texture.
• Buttermilk: Introduces tangy flavor and helps activate baking soda for better rise.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture retention and creates tender cake crumb.
• White Vinegar: Activates baking soda and contributes to subtle tangy notes.

• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens cake and helps create soft, moist texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex flavor undertone.
• Purple Gel Food Coloring: Creates vibrant purple hue without altering cake's consistency.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor foundation.

• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, tangy base for frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes frosting texture.
• Heavy Cream: Adjusts frosting consistency and adds luxurious richness.

Gear Guide for Purple Velvet Cake Recipe

• Electric Mixer: Essential for creaming butter, beating eggs, and mixing frosting smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Perfect for combining wet and dry ingredients, creating a mess-free baking experience.
• Whisk or Sifter: Helps evenly distribute dry ingredients and remove lumps from flour and cocoa powder.
• 9-Inch Round Cake Pans: Crucial for baking the cake layers evenly.
• Parchment Paper or Cooking Spray: Ensures easy cake removal and prevents sticking.
• Toothpick or Cake Tester: Helps check cake doneness by testing the center.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cakes to cool completely and prevents soggy bottoms.
• Spatula: Great for spreading frosting and scraping bowls clean.
• Offset Spatula or Icing Knife: Helps create smooth, professional-looking cake frosting.

Cooking Walkthrough for Purple Velvet Cake Recipe

• Heat Up the Kitchen

Crank your oven to 350F. Grease two round cake pans and set them aside for the magic to happen.

• Create the Powdery Base

Grab a mixing bowl and sift together your flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. These dry ingredients will form the foundation of your delicious creation.

• Whip Up the Creamy Mixture

Using an electric mixer, blend butter, oil, and sugar until they transform into a light, fluffy cloud of deliciousness. This is where the cake’s magic begins.

• Incorporate Liquid Ingredients

Gently fold in eggs one by one, then splash in vanilla and vinegar. Watch as your mixture becomes smooth and inviting.

• Blend and Color

Slowly mix dry ingredients with buttermilk, alternating between the two. Stir in purple food coloring until you achieve a stunning violet hue that catches everyone’s eye.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour batter into prepared pans and slide into the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely.

• Whip Up Dreamy Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter until silky smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla. Adjust consistency with a touch of heavy cream if needed.

• Assemble Your Masterpiece

Layer the cakes, spreading frosting between and around each layer. Get creative with decorations like edible glitter or sprinkles.

• Serve and Celebrate

Slice into your purple velvet creation and enjoy the moment of pure culinary delight. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Ideas to Try for Purple Velvet Cake Recipe

• Cake Mastery Tips
• Room Temperature Magic: Ensure eggs, butter, and buttermilk are at room temperature for smoother batter and more even cake texture.
• Precise Color Control: Add purple gel food coloring gradually, mixing thoroughly to achieve the perfect lavender or deep purple shade without altering cake's taste.
• Frosting Finesse: Chill cream cheese and butter briefly before mixing to prevent runny frosting and ensure perfect spreading consistency.
• No-Overmix Rule: Gently fold dry and wet ingredients to maintain cake's tender crumb and prevent dense, tough texture.
• Delightful Variations
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better structure.
• Vegan Twist: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, dairy milk with almond milk, and cream cheese with vegan cream cheese alternative.
• Flavor Boost: Incorporate lavender extract or blueberry puree for enhanced purple-themed flavor profile.
• Mini Celebration: Transform recipe into cupcakes by adjusting baking time to 18-20 minutes and using standard muffin tin.

Elegant Purple Velvet Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Purple velvet cake brings a regal twist to classic Southern desserts with its striking lavender hue. Rich cream cheese frosting and delicate crumb make this cake a memorable centerpiece you’ll adore serving at special celebrations.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
• 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar
• 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tbsps unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp purple gel food coloring (adjust for desired shade)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 12 tbsps heavy cream (optional, for consistency)

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and line cake pans with parchment paper or lightly grease and flour.
2. Dry Ingredient Composition: Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl, then set aside.
3. Cream Base Construction: Whip butter, oil, and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
4. Liquid Integration: Beat eggs into the creamy mixture individually, then blend in vanilla extract and vinegar until fully combined.
5. Batter Harmonization: Gradually merge dry ingredients and buttermilk, alternating between mixtures to maintain a smooth, consistent texture.
6. Color Transformation: Infuse purple gel food coloring, adjusting intensity to achieve a vibrant purple hue.
7. Baking Process: Evenly distribute batter into prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness with a clean toothpick test.
8. Cooling Phase: Rest cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
9. Frosting Creation: Blend cream cheese and butter until silky, gradually adding powdered sugar and vanilla extract, adjusting consistency with heavy cream.
10. Cake Assembly: Layer first cake round on a serving plate, spread frosting, and position second layer on top.
11. Decorative Finish: Coat exterior with smooth frosting, optionally embellishing with piped designs, edible glitter, or purple sprinkles.
12. Serving and Storage: Present immediately and refrigerate remaining cake in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

Notes

• Manage Color Intensity: Gradually add purple gel food coloring to control the exact shade, preventing over-saturation and ensuring a delicate, appealing purple hue.
• Prevent Cake Dryness: Alternate dry and wet ingredients gently to maintain batter’s moisture, avoiding overmixing which can develop tough cake texture.
• Optimize Baking Temperature: Check cake doneness using the toothpick method, ensuring it comes out clean but not overbaked to preserve soft, tender crumb.
• Enhance Frosting Smoothness: Bring cream cheese and butter to room temperature before mixing to create a silky, lump-free frosting that spreads effortlessly on cake layers.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 421
• Sugar: 44 g
• Sodium: 290 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 62 mg