Dreamy Purple Velvet Cake Recipe: A Royal Treat for Dessert Lovers

Decadent chocolate cake meets luxurious color in this stunning purple velvet cake that promises to be the crown jewel of any dessert table.

Rich cocoa blends seamlessly with vibrant purple food coloring, creating a show-stopping treat that will leave everyone speechless.

The velvety texture melts in your mouth, delivering a perfect balance of sweetness and depth.

Soft, moist layers embrace a creamy frosting that completes this indulgent masterpiece.

Each slice reveals a mesmerizing purple hue that hints at the deliciousness within.

This recipe transforms an ordinary cake into an extraordinary experience that celebrates color and flavor.

Prepare to dazzle your guests with a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Vibrant And Rich Purple Velvet Cake

• Craft Delectable Dessert: This flourless chocolate hazelnut cake delivers rich, intense chocolate flavor without traditional flour, making it perfect for gluten-sensitive guests or chocolate enthusiasts seeking a decadent treat.
• Minimize Kitchen Complexity: Requiring minimal ingredients and straightforward techniques, this recipe welcomes home bakers of all skill levels to create a professional-looking dessert with simple steps and basic kitchen tools.
• Celebrate Special Moments: Ideal for elegant dinner parties, romantic celebrations, or sophisticated gatherings, this luxurious cake impresses guests with its smooth texture and sophisticated chocolate-hazelnut combination.
• Customize with Ease: Versatile recipe allows personalization through optional garnishes like whipped cream, fresh berries, or a dusting of powdered sugar, transforming the cake to suit different preferences and occasions.

Ingredients List For Purple Velvet Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure for creating a tender and soft cake texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cake browning.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds a rich chocolate undertone to the purple velvet cake.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, airy crumb.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Vegetable Oil: Ensures the cake remains moist and tender.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps activate the baking soda.
• Eggs: Provide structure and help bind the ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Contributes a warm, classic flavor to the cake.
• White Vinegar: Helps activate the baking soda and creates a soft texture.

• Red Food Coloring, Purple Food Coloring: Gives the cake its signature vibrant purple color.
• Cream Cheese: Creates a rich and creamy frosting base.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps stabilize the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.

Step-By-Step Purple Velvet Cake Baking

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Turn the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat two round cake pans with cooking spray and dust lightly with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Dry Powder Blend

Grab a mixing bowl and sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder until completely combined and lump-free.

Step 3: Whip Wet Ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• Buttermilk
• Eggs
• Purple and red food coloring
• White vinegar
• Vanilla extract

Whisk these ingredients until they form a smooth, vibrant liquid mixture.

Step 4: Merge Cake Batter

Slowly fold the dry powder blend into the wet ingredients. Stir gently until the batter becomes silky and consistent with no visible flour streaks.

Step 5: Bake the Cake Layers

Pour the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 6: Cool Down Cake Layers

Let the cakes rest in their pans for 10 minutes.

Transfer to a wire cooling rack and allow to reach room temperature completely.

Step 7: Craft Creamy Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Softened butter
• Vanilla extract

Beat until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar.

Continue mixing until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.

Step 8: Decorate and Stack

Spread frosting between cake layers and over the entire cake.

Smooth with a spatula for a clean, elegant finish.

Tips For Vibrant Purple Velvet Cake

• Select professional-grade gel food coloring for vibrant purple hue without altering cake's texture.
• Measure buttermilk precisely to prevent dense or dry cake texture, ensuring perfect consistency.
• Insert toothpick near cake's center; if it comes out clean with minimal crumbs, cake is perfectly baked.
• Allow cake layers to cool completely before applying cream cheese frosting to prevent melting and sliding.
• Bring eggs, buttermilk, and cream cheese to room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake structure.

Flavorful Takes On Purple Velvet Cake

• Lavender Velvet Cake: Replace purple food coloring with lavender extract and add dried lavender buds to the batter for a floral, aromatic version.
• Gluten-Free Purple Velvet: Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better texture.
• Vegan Purple Velvet: Use plant-based milk, egg replacer, vegan cream cheese, and dairy-free butter to create a fully plant-based cake.
• Low-Sugar Purple Velvet: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia and use sugar-free cream cheese for a diabetic-friendly option.

Foods That Complement Purple Velvet Cake

• Pair Sweet Lavender Tea: Brew a delicate lavender-infused tea that complements the cake's purple hue and subtle sweetness, creating a harmonious flavor experience.
• Serve Vanilla Bean Gelato: Scoop creamy, rich vanilla bean gelato alongside the cake to enhance its velvety texture and provide a cool contrast to the warm cake.
• Match Champagne Rosé: Pour a chilled, light champagne rosé that offers delicate bubbles and a soft pink color, perfectly matching the cake's elegant purple tone.
• Complement Dark Chocolate Truffles: Offer dark chocolate truffles with the cake, providing a rich, intense flavor that balances the cake's subtle sweetness and adds depth to the dessert course.

Storage Tips For Purple Velvet Cake

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Wrap each slice separately with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying.
• Wrap unfrosted cake layers tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting.
• Keep frosted cake at room temperature for 1-2 days if your kitchen is cool. Cover with a cake dome or loose plastic wrap to prevent drying.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. For best texture, let cake come to room temperature naturally before serving.

FAQs

• What makes purple velvet cake different from red velvet cake?

The primary difference is the food coloring, using purple instead of red, which gives the cake a unique, vibrant purple hue while maintaining the classic velvet cake texture and flavor.

• Is buttermilk necessary for this recipe?

Yes, buttermilk is crucial as it helps create a tender, moist cake texture and works with the vinegar to activate the baking soda, resulting in a light and fluffy cake.

• Can I substitute the vegetable oil with another type of oil?

While vegetable oil works best for maintaining moisture, you can use canola oil as a direct substitute, which will produce similar results in texture and taste.

Purple Velvet Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent purple velvet cake mesmerizes with its royal hue and silky texture, offering a delightful twist on classic red velvet. Chocolate undertones and cream cheese frosting create a luxurious dessert that promises to enchant you with its elegant charm and irresistible flavor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups granulated sugar

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder

Flavor and Color Enhancers:

• 2 tablespoons red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon (or more) purple food coloring

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by greasing and dusting with flour.
2. Sift together all dry ingredients – flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder – in a medium mixing bowl.
3. Whisk vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, red and purple food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until thoroughly combined and vibrant.
4. Gradually incorporate dry ingredient mixture into wet ingredients, stirring until batter becomes smooth and uniform in color.
5. Evenly distribute batter between prepared cake pans, ensuring consistent depth for balanced baking.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted in center that comes out clean.
7. Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to wire cooling rack for complete cooling.
8. Prepare frosting by beating cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until silky and well-blended.
9. Gradually add powdered sugar, continuously beating until frosting becomes light, fluffy, and spreadable.
10. Once cakes are completely cooled, carefully frost and assemble layers, creating a smooth, even finish.

Notes

• Customize color intensity by adjusting food coloring drops, ensuring vibrant purple without altering cake texture.
• Swap buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives like almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar for lactose-intolerant bakers.
• insert into center, if it comes out clean, cake is perfectly baked.
• Chill cream cheese frosting briefly before spreading to achieve smoother, more stable application on cake layers.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 325 kcal
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3.5 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg