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