If you love the classic charm of red velvet but are looking to add a splash of unexpected color and excitement to your dessert table, then this Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is calling your name. This vibrant cake offers a moist, tender crumb with just a hint of cocoa flavor, all beautifully tinted in a deep purple hue that delights the eyes as much as the palate. The luscious cream cheese frosting ties everything together perfectly, creating a show-stopping cake that’s certain to make every celebration feel extra special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating this Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is wonderfully simple because of the straightforward ingredients that each play a key role. From the rich buttermilk that keeps the cake tender to the purple gel food coloring that delivers that unforgettable color, every element is essential for the perfect balance of taste, texture, and visual appeal.
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: Provides the sturdy, fine crumb foundation every good cake needs.
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter perfectly without overwhelming the subtle cocoa.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Leavens the cake, helping it rise tender and light.
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder: Adds a delicate chocolate note essential for the velvet flavor.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances sweetness.
- 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature): Gives the cake moisture and a slight tang, which keeps it moist and soft.
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil: Adds richness and ensures the cake stays moist for days.
- 2 large eggs (room temperature): Binds the batter and contributes to structure.
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar: Reacts with baking soda to help the cake rise beautifully and complements the tang of buttermilk.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Provides warm aroma and complexity.
- Purple gel food coloring (approx. ¼ to ½ teaspoon): Delivers that vibrant purple color without watering down the batter.
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened): Essential for that smooth and tangy frosting.
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened): Adds creaminess and fluffy texture to the frosting.
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for luscious coverage.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Deepens the flavor of the cream cheese frosting.
- Pinch of salt: Balances sweetness and highlights the cream cheese’s tang.
How to Make Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with parchment paper. This step ensures your Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe comes out cleanly and looks flawless once baked.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt. This ensures that all your dry ingredients are evenly distributed, which is critical for a tender crumb and consistent flavor.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, white vinegar, and vanilla extract together until completely smooth. Using room temperature eggs and buttermilk helps blend everything seamlessly and improves the cake’s texture.
Step 4: Blend Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry, mixing gently until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake, so stop stirring once there are no visible dry spots.
Step 5: Add the Purple Color
Now the fun part: add the purple gel food coloring slowly, stirring after each addition, until you reach a deep, vibrant purple that makes this cake truly unique. Using gel coloring keeps the batter thick and moist.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
Divide your batter evenly between the prepared pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula. Place the pans in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before turning them out onto wire racks to cool completely.
Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat together cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla and a pinch of salt. Continue beating until the frosting is light, fluffy, and irresistible.
Step 8: Assemble and Frost the Cake
Once your cakes are completely cool, level the tops if needed. Place one layer on your serving plate, spread with a generous amount of frosting, then top with the second layer. Cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting evenly on sides and top. Decorate as your heart desires, and get ready to impress with this Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe!
How to Serve Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
To make your Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe truly pop on the table, consider garnishing with fresh berries like blackberries or blueberries, edible flowers, or even a sprinkle of purple sprinkles or glitter. These additions not only look stunning next to that rich frosting but add subtle bursts of flavor and texture.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs beautifully with light, refreshing sides such as fresh fruit salad or a dollop of lightly whipped cream. If you’re serving at a party, a crisp glass of milk or a subtly flavored herbal tea complements the cake’s sweet and tangy notes brilliantly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a twist on presentation, serve the Purple Velvet Cake in individual portions like cupcakes topped with swirls of cream cheese frosting and delicate decorations. Alternatively, try layering it in a trifle dish with fruit and extra frosting layers for a stunning purple velvet trifle that brings whimsy and elegance to the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once frosted, store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cream cheese frosting is perishable, so refrigeration will keep it fresh and delicious. For best taste, bring slices to room temperature before serving to revive the cake’s perfect texture and rich flavors.
Freezing
You can freeze the cake layers before frosting by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then frost as directed in the Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe for a freshly baked feel.
Reheating
Since this cake is best served at room temperature, gently warming refrigerated slices for about 15 minutes on the counter works wonders. Avoid microwaving as it could soften the frosting too much and change the texture of the moist cake crumb.
FAQs
Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel for this Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe?
You can, but gel food coloring is preferred because it offers more vibrant color without adding extra liquid to the batter, which could affect the cake’s texture.
Is it necessary to use buttermilk for this recipe?
Buttermilk adds moisture and a slight tang that many consider essential for the velvet texture and flavor, but you could substitute with milk plus a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice if needed.
Can I make this cake dairy-free?
While the cream cheese frosting contains dairy, you can use dairy-free cream cheese and butter substitutes to create a vegan-friendly frosting. Just be sure the substitutions perform well when whipped.
How long does the purple color stay vibrant after baking?
The purple hue generally stays bright for several days when refrigerated, especially with gel coloring. Exposure to light and air may cause slight fading, but it remains dazzling enough to impress.
What should I do if my frosting is too thick or too thin?
If the frosting is too thick, add a teaspoon of milk and beat again until smooth. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar gradually to thicken it without losing fluffiness.
Final Thoughts
This Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is truly one of those joyful baking adventures that reward you with both beauty and flavor. Whether it’s for a lively birthday, a themed party, or just a special treat to brighten the day, this cake brings impressive color, moist tender crumb, and perfectly tangy sweetness in every bite. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed at how such simple ingredients come together into a showstopping masterpiece that everyone will adore.
Print
Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Purple velvet cake is a colorful twist on the classic red velvet, featuring a moist, tender crumb with subtle cocoa flavor and a striking purple hue. Topped with rich cream cheese frosting, this vibrant cake is perfect for birthdays, themed parties, or any celebration where you want to impress with both flavor and flair.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Purple gel food coloring (as needed, approx. ¼ to ½ teaspoon)
For the cream cheese frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare pans and preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt until evenly mixed.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, white vinegar, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cake.
- Add purple coloring: Add purple gel food coloring a little at a time, approximately ¼ to ½ teaspoon, until a deep, vibrant purple color is achieved.
- Divide batter and bake: Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula and bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until incorporated. Mix in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt and continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Assemble and frost: If desired, level the tops of the cakes. Place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread an even layer of frosting on top, then place the second layer over it. Frost the top and sides of the entire cake evenly.
- Decorate and serve: Decorate the cake as desired. Refrigerate the frosted cake to set, but bring it to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for the most vibrant hue without thinning the batter.
- The cake can also be made as cupcakes; bake for 18–20 minutes in that case.
- Store the frosted cake in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. Bring to room temperature before serving for optimal texture.
