Royal Purple Velvet Cake Recipe: A Dreamy Dessert Delight

Decadent and rich, this purple velvet cake recipe brings a vibrant twist to the classic dessert that will leave everyone speechless.

Deep purple hues blend seamlessly with luxurious cream cheese frosting, creating a stunning centerpiece for any celebration.

The striking color comes from a clever combination of natural food coloring and unexpected ingredients.

Chocolate undertones add depth and complexity to each delectable slice.

Bakers seeking a show-stopping dessert will adore how simple this recipe truly is to prepare.

Serving this cake guarantees gasps of delight and requests for seconds from everyone at the table.

Dive into this magical purple creation that transforms an ordinary cake into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Magical Mix For Purple Velvet Cake Recipe

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the cake's sturdy base and ensures perfect texture, choose unbleached flour for best results.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate undertones, opt for high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa for deeper flavor.
• Baking Soda: Helps cake rise and creates tender crumb, ensure it's fresh and not expired.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile, use fine sea salt for smooth integration.

• Butter: Adds richness and soft texture, select unsalted for precise flavor control.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps cake moist and tender, choose neutral-flavored oil.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure, use room temperature eggs for even mixing.
• Buttermilk: Creates tangy flavor and tender crumb, look for fresh, full-fat buttermilk.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity, use pure extract for best taste.
• White Vinegar: Activates baking soda and adds subtle tang, use distilled white vinegar.

• Purple Gel Food Coloring: Creates vibrant purple hue, use gel for intense color without watering batter.
• Cream Cheese: Provides creamy, tangy frosting base, select full-fat cream cheese.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens frosting, sift to prevent lumps.
• Heavy Cream: Adjusts frosting consistency, use cold cream for best whipping.
• Edible Glitter or Sprinkles: Optional decorative touch for visual appeal.

Tools To Bake Purple Velvet Cake Recipe Right

• Electric Mixer: Essential for creaming butter, beating eggs, and mixing frosting smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Needed for combining wet and dry ingredients, creating batter and frosting.
• 9-inch Round Cake Pans: Two pans for baking cake layers evenly.
• Sifter: Helps blend dry ingredients and remove lumps from flour and cocoa powder.
• Toothpicks: Checks cake doneness by testing center for cleanness.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cakes to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Spatula: Helps spread frosting and scrape bowl edges.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.

Steps To Make Purple Velvet Cake Recipe Pop

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the oven to a cozy temperature and get your cake pans ready with a light coating of grease.

• Dry Ingredient Harmony

Blend flour, cocoa, and other dry components in a bowl, creating a smooth mixture that will form the cake’s foundation.

• Butter and Sugar Dance

Whip butter, oil, and sugar together until they transform into a fluffy, light cloud of sweetness.

• Liquid Magic

Introduce eggs, vanilla, and a splash of vinegar to the buttery mixture, stirring until everything becomes a harmonious blend.

• Mixing Symphony

Gently fold dry ingredients and buttermilk into the wet mixture, creating a silky batter that promises deliciousness.

• Purple Transformation

Swirl in the purple gel coloring, watching the batter turn into a royal shade of lavender.

• Baking Adventure

Pour the batter into prepared pans and let the oven work its magic. Bake until a gentle poke reveals a perfectly cooked cake.

• Frosting Creation

Whip cream cheese and butter into a smooth canvas, gradually introducing powdered sugar and vanilla until you have a dreamy frosting.

• Cake Assembly

Layer the cakes with generous frosting, covering every inch with creamy goodness. Decorate with a personal touch of sprinkles or edible glitter.

• Slice and Celebrate

Cut into this purple masterpiece and enjoy every delectable bite of your homemade creation.

Tips To Perfect Your Purple Velvet Cake Recipe

• Room Temperature Magic: Ensure all ingredients like eggs, buttermilk, and butter are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
• Color Control: Start with a small amount of purple gel food coloring and gradually add more to achieve your desired shade without altering the cake's taste.
• Mixing Mastery: Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough cake—stop mixing as soon as ingredients are just combined.
• Frosting Finesse: Chill cream cheese and butter before making frosting to ensure a smooth, lump-free consistency.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, adding xanthan gum for better structure.
• Dairy-Free Twist: Substitute buttermilk with almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar, and use dairy-free cream cheese and butter alternatives.
• Vegan Version: Replace eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based milk, and select vegan cream cheese for a compassionate cake.
• Lavender Love: Add a teaspoon of dried lavender to complement the purple theme and introduce a subtle floral note.

Serving Purple Velvet Cake Recipe Like Royalty

• Party Platter Perfection: Create a stunning cake display by arranging slices on a beautiful wooden board with fresh lavender sprigs and edible silver pearls.
• Purple Paradise Pairing: Serve alongside a chilled lavender lemonade or white chocolate martini to complement the cake's vibrant color and rich flavor.
• Celebration Centerpiece: Use this cake as a dramatic dessert for birthday parties, bridal showers, or elegant summer gatherings with a purple color theme.
• Dessert Bar Delight: Slice the cake into smaller cubes and arrange on a dessert table with coordinating purple macarons, chocolate truffles, and fresh berries for a visually stunning presentation.

How To Store Purple Velvet Cake Recipe Without Drying Out

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store the Purple Velvet Cake in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain moisture and prevent absorbing other refrigerator odors. Place the container in the middle shelf where temperature remains most consistent.
• Freezing Friendly Option: Wrap individual cake slices or whole cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, allowing safe freezer storage for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to maintain texture and flavor integrity.
• Room Temperature Window: Keep cake at room temperature for up to 2 days if served within 24 hours of baking, ensuring best taste and softness. Place under a cake dome or cover loosely with plastic wrap to prevent drying.
• Cream Cheese Frosting Care: Because of dairy ingredients, always refrigerate cake within 2 hours of preparation. The cream cheese frosting remains fresh for 3-4 days when stored properly in a sealed container, preventing potential bacterial growth and maintaining optimal taste quality.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 335 kcal

Servings: 11

Elegant Purple Velvet Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Indulgent purple velvet cake brings royal elegance to classic dessert traditions. Rich cocoa and striking violet hues create a memorable centerpiece for special celebrations. You’ll savor each luxurious slice.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
• 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tbsps unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 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)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheating and Preparation: Elevate the oven temperature to 350F (175C). Prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by greasing with butter and dusting with flour, or line with parchment paper to ensure effortless cake release.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Meticulously sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt into a mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry foundation for the cake.
3. Creaming and Aeration: Utilize an electric mixer to whip butter, oil, and sugar into a light, voluminous mixture, incorporating air for approximately 3 minutes to develop a tender cake texture.
4. Wet Ingredient Integration: Gently introduce eggs individually, then blend in vanilla extract and vinegar, ensuring a smooth and harmonious mixture.
5. Batter Composition: Delicately fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Maintain a gentle mixing technique to preserve the batter’s delicate structure and prevent overmixing.
6. Color Transformation: Infuse the batter with purple gel food coloring, adjusting until a vibrant and consistent purple hue emerges.
7. Baking Process: Evenly distribute the batter between prepared pans and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Confirm doneness by inserting a toothpick, which should emerge clean from the cake’s center.
8. Cooling and Layering: Rest cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling. Position the first layer on a serving plate.
9. Frosting Creation: Blend cream cheese and butter until silky, gradually incorporating powdered sugar. Enhance with vanilla extract and adjust consistency using heavy cream if necessary.
10. Cake Assembly and Decoration: Spread a generous frosting layer on the first cake layer, carefully position the second layer, and meticulously frost the entire cake surface. Embellish with decorative frosting swirls, edible glitter, or purple sprinkles.
11. Serving and Storage: Slice and serve immediately. Preserve any remaining cake in a sealed container within the refrigerator, consuming within 3 days to maintain optimal freshness and flavor.

Notes

• Prevent Cake Sinking: Avoid overmixing batter and opening oven door during baking to maintain proper cake structure and rise.
• Color Precision: Use gel food coloring for vibrant purple shade without altering batter consistency or texture.
• Temperature Control: Ensure ingredients like eggs and butter are at room temperature for smoother mixing and even cake texture.
• Moisture Maintenance: Do not overbake; check cake doneness early to keep cake layers soft and prevent dryness.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 335
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 295 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg