Purple Velvet Cake Recipe for Dreamy Desserts

Sweet memories often spark from unexpected culinary adventures with purple velvet cake, a dessert that challenges traditional color palettes.

Bakery enthusiasts adore this vibrant twist on classic red velvet.

Smooth lavender hues catch everyone’s attention immediately.

Rich cocoa undertones create depth beyond mere visual appeal.

Delicate crumb textures promise an indulgent experience that surprises and delights.

Whispers of cream cheese frosting complement the cake’s dramatic appearance.

You’ll want to slice into this stunning creation and savor each incredible bite.

Why Purple Velvet Cake Is Eye-Catching

• Whip up this stunning purple velvet cake with minimal effort, perfect for bakers of all skill levels. The straightforward recipe requires basic ingredients and simple mixing techniques that anyone can master.
• Create a jaw-dropping dessert that stands out at parties with its vibrant purple color and elegant cream cheese frosting. This cake transforms an ordinary gathering into a memorable celebration with its unique and eye-catching appearance.
• Ideal for birthdays, baby showers, or any special occasion that calls for a distinctive and delightful treat. The recipe offers flexible decorating options, allowing you to personalize the cake with sprinkles, glitter, or custom frosting designs.
• Enjoy stress-free preparation with a cake that can be made in advance and stored easily. The recipe keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it perfect for planners who want to reduce last-minute kitchen chaos.

What Goes in Purple Velvet Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the cake's structure and base, go for unbleached flour for best texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor, Dutch-processed cocoa gives deeper color.
• Baking Soda: Helps cake rise and creates tender crumb, ensure it's fresh.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter, Vegetable Oil: Creates moisture and rich flavor, room temperature butter blends best.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps cake caramelize.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds structure, use large eggs at room temperature.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor, pure extract recommended.
• White Vinegar: Helps activate baking soda for better rise.
• Buttermilk: Creates tender crumb and adds tangy flavor.

• Purple Gel Food Coloring: Creates vibrant purple color, gel works better than liquid.
• Cream Cheese: Provides creamy base for frosting, full-fat recommended.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens frosting.
• Heavy Cream: Adjusts frosting consistency, optional but helpful.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances frosting flavor.

How to Make a Beautiful Purple Velvet Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350F. Prep two round cake pans by greasing and flouring or lining with parchment paper.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

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

Set this mix aside for later.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

• Butter
• Vegetable oil
• Granulated sugar

Whip until the mixture looks light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Step 4: Incorporate Wet Ingredients

• Eggs (one at a time)
• Vanilla extract
• White vinegar

Mix thoroughly after each addition.

Step 5: Blend Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Alternate with buttermilk, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined.

Step 6: Create Purple Magic

Stir in purple gel food coloring. Adjust until you reach that perfect vibrant purple shade.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick- it should come out clean.

Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Step 8: Craft Creamy Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Butter

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Add heavy cream by tablespoon if needed for perfect consistency.

Step 9: Assemble Your Masterpiece

Place first cake layer on serving plate. Spread a thick layer of frosting. Top with second layer. Coat entire cake with remaining frosting.

Optional: Sprinkle with edible glitter or purple sprinkles.

Step 10: Slice and Celebrate

Cut into generous slices. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Helpful Tips for Perfect Purple Velvet Cake

• Choose High-Quality Food Coloring: Use gel food coloring for the most vibrant and concentrated purple hue without altering the cake's texture or consistency.
• Adjust Color Gradually: Add purple food coloring drop by drop to achieve the perfect shade of purple, mixing thoroughly between each addition to ensure even color distribution.
• Prevent Dry Cake: Avoid overmixing the batter and overbaking to maintain a moist, tender cake texture; check doneness with a toothpick and remove from oven when it comes out clean with a few crumbs.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow eggs, butter, and buttermilk to reach room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more evenly incorporated batter that results in a softer cake.
• Chill Before Frosting: Cool cake layers completely before applying cream cheese frosting to prevent melting and ensure a clean, professional-looking decorative finish.

How to Store and Slice Purple Velvet Cake

• Store the cake in an airtight container to maintain moisture and prevent drying out. Place parchment paper between layers to protect the frosting.
• Consume within 1-2 days if kept at room temperature, ensuring the cake stays covered to prevent staleness.
• Wrap individual cake slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
• Thaw frozen cake in the refrigerator overnight. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore texture and flavor.

Toppings That Pair with Purple Velvet Cake

• Complement the rich, velvety cake with a delicate lavender-infused tea that echoes the purple hue and adds a gentle floral note to each bite.
• Offer a scoop of creamy vanilla bean gelato alongside the cake, providing a cool, smooth contrast to the cake's dense texture and enhancing its sweetness.
• Select a chilled blueberry sparkling wine that mirrors the cake's purple color and adds a playful, effervescent element to the dessert experience.
• Plate the cake with a small cluster of fresh purple and dark berries like blackberries or elderberries to amplify the color theme and provide a tart, juicy counterpoint.

Make Purple Velvet Cake Your Own

• Gluten-Free Purple Velvet Cake: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, ensuring the texture remains moist and tender while accommodating those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Purple Cake Adaptation: Swap eggs with mashed bananas or applesauce, use plant-based butter alternatives, and substitute dairy buttermilk with almond or soy milk mixed with apple cider vinegar.
• Low-Sugar Purple Velvet Option: Reduce sugar content by using stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and incorporate Greek yogurt to maintain moisture and provide a tangy flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Purple Cake Version: Use coconut cream cheese for frosting, replace butter with coconut oil, and select non-dairy milk alternatives to create a rich, creamy cake suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals.

Got Questions on Purple Velvet Cake? Read On

• What gives the purple color to the cake?

The purple color comes from gel food coloring, which provides a vibrant and intense purple shade without affecting the cake’s texture or flavor.

• Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?

Gel food coloring is recommended because it provides more concentrated color and doesn’t thin out the batter. Liquid food coloring may require more to achieve the same intensity and can affect the cake’s consistency.

• Why is vinegar used in the recipe?

Vinegar helps activate the baking soda, creating a chemical reaction that makes the cake lighter and more tender, similar to traditional red velvet cake recipes.

• Is cream cheese frosting essential for this cake?

While cream cheese frosting is traditional and complements the cake’s flavor, you could substitute it with vanilla buttercream or white chocolate frosting if preferred.

Purple Velvet Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delectable purple velvet cake brings royal elegance to classic Southern baking with its mesmerizing deep violet hue. Rich buttermilk and cocoa create a smooth, luxurious dessert perfect for celebrations where you’ll savor each velvety, indulgent slice.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk

Coloring Ingredient:

• 1 teaspoon purple gel food coloring (adjust for desired shade)

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (225 g) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 12 tablespoons heavy cream (optional, for consistency)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking workspace by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and preparing cake pans with a light coating of grease and flour or parchment paper.
2. Create a dry ingredient foundation by sifting flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium mixing vessel, then set aside.
3. Develop a creamy base by whipping butter, oil, and sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and aerated, approximately 3 minutes.
4. Incorporate liquid elements by gently beating eggs into the creamy mixture, one at a time, then blend in vanilla extract and vinegar until fully integrated.
5. Merge dry and wet components gradually by alternating between the flour mixture and buttermilk, ensuring thorough but gentle mixing to maintain a smooth batter consistency.
6. Transform the batter’s appearance by introducing purple gel food coloring, adjusting the quantity to achieve the desired vibrant purple tone.
7. Distribute the batter evenly between prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick emerges clean when inserted into the cake’s center.
8. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
9. Craft a luxurious frosting by blending cream cheese and butter until silky, then gradually introduce powdered sugar and vanilla extract, adjusting consistency with heavy cream if needed.
10. Construct the cake by layering the first cake round on a serving plate, spreading a generous frosting layer, then positioning the second cake layer on top.
11. Embellish the exterior with a smooth frosting coating, optionally decorating with additional piped designs, edible glitter, or purple sprinkles.
12. Serve immediately and store any remaining cake in a sealed container within the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

• Enhance the cake’s moisture by adding a touch of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the batter for extra richness and softness.
• Experiment with natural purple coloring options like beetroot powder or butterfly pea flower extract for a healthier alternative to artificial food coloring.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend, ensuring the same tender texture.
• Prevent color bleeding by chilling the cake layers completely before frosting and using gel food coloring instead of liquid for a more vibrant, precise purple hue.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 40 g
• Sodium: 230 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg