Dreamy Pink Velvet Cake Recipe: Sweet Elegance Made Simple

Crafting a delightful pink velvet cake brings pure magic to your baking adventure.

Soft pink hues dance across layers of tender crumb, promising decadent sweetness.

Unexpected hints of cocoa create subtle depth in this classic dessert.

Elegant yet approachable, this recipe welcomes bakers of every skill level.

Delicate cream cheese frosting promises a creamy complement to each romantic slice.

Whispers of vanilla and gentle food coloring transform ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Bake this stunning cake and watch smiles bloom around your table.

How to Make Pink Velvet Cake with Flair

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to a cozy 350F. Lovingly coat three 8-inch round cake pans with butter and dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

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

Blend until perfectly combined.

Step 3: Create Butter Mixture

In a spacious bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until the mixture looks light and airy. Gently incorporate eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Splash in vanilla extract for that delightful flavor.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter blend, alternating with buttermilk and sour cream. Start and end with flour. Mix until just combined – don’t overwork the batter.

Step 5: Add Gorgeous Pink Color

Pour in pink food coloring and mix until the batter reaches a beautiful rosy shade.

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Evenly distribute the batter among the prepared pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Slide the pans into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean. Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks for complete cooling.

Step 8: Whip Up Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat softened butter and cream cheese until creamy. Gradually fold in powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until the frosting becomes smooth and fluffy.

Step 9: Layer and Frost

Place the first cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of frosting. Repeat with remaining layers.

Step 10: Final Frosting Flourish

Cover the entire cake with remaining frosting, creating a beautiful, smooth finish. Decorate as your heart desires.

Pro Tips for Fluffy Pink Velvet Cake

• Achieve Perfect Color: Start with gel food coloring for vibrant, rich pink without watering down the batter's consistency.
• Prevent Dry Cake: Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the cake layers moist and tender, stopping when ingredients are just combined.
• Room Temperature Matters: Ensure butter, eggs, and dairy ingredients are at room temperature for smoother blending and better cake texture.
• Smooth Frosting Technique: Use an offset spatula or bench scraper for clean, even frosting application around the cake's sides and top.
• Crumb Coat Trick: Apply a thin layer of frosting first, chill for 15 minutes, then add the final frosting layer for a professional, clean finish.

Variations to Customize Pink Velvet Cake

• Red Velvet Variation: Replace pink food coloring with red food coloring for a classic red velvet cake, maintaining the same rich buttermilk and cocoa flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Pink Velvet: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same texture and moisture by adding xanthan gum for structural support.
• Vegan Pink Cake: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, buttermilk with almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar, and cream cheese frosting with cashew-based cream cheese alternative.
• Reduced Sugar Option: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and replace some sugar with unsweetened applesauce to maintain moisture while lowering overall sugar content.

Pairing Suggestions for Pink Velvet Cake

• Champagne Celebration: Pair the delicate pink cake with a crisp, bubbly champagne that complements its light, sweet flavor and adds a touch of elegance to each bite.
• Berry Blush Cocktail: Create a refreshing raspberry or strawberry cocktail that echoes the cake's pink hue and provides a tangy contrast to the rich cream cheese frosting.
• Lavender Earl Grey Tea: Brew a fragrant Earl Grey tea with subtle lavender notes to enhance the cake's delicate sweetness and provide a sophisticated accompaniment.
• White Chocolate Martini: Mix a creamy white chocolate martini that matches the cake's smooth texture and adds an extra layer of indulgent sweetness to the dessert experience.

Best Storage Practices for Pink Velvet Cake

• Store the pink velvet cake in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep the cake away from strong-smelling foods to preserve its delicate flavor.
• Wrap the entire frosted cake tightly in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Store for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before enjoying.
• Bring refrigerated cake to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

Pink Velvet Cake FAQs

• What makes this cake different from traditional red velvet cake?

This pink velvet cake uses pink food coloring instead of red, creating a soft, feminine twist on the classic recipe while maintaining the same tender, velvety texture.

• Can I use a different type of milk instead of buttermilk?

While buttermilk provides the best tangy flavor and tender crumb, you can substitute with 1 cup of milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice as an alternative.

• How do I prevent my cake from being dry?

Ensure you don’t overmix the batter and don’t overbake. Check the cake at 25 minutes and remove from the oven as soon as a toothpick comes out clean to maintain moisture.

Pink Velvet Cake’s Pretty Perfection

• Create Stunning Centerpiece: This pink velvet cake transforms any gathering into a visual feast with its vibrant blush color and elegant layers.
• Master Baking with Ease: Beginner bakers can confidently tackle this recipe using simple techniques and readily available ingredients.
• Perfect for Celebrations: Ideal for birthdays, bridal showers, baby announcements, or any special event that calls for a delightful dessert.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Profile: Combines classic cream cheese frosting with a tender, moist cake that appeals to all ages and taste preferences.

Ingredients for Pink Velvet Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A fundamental dry ingredient that provides structure to the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a moist cake crumb.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the cake.

• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Help the cake rise and create a light, fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Buttermilk, Sour Cream: Add tanginess and help create a soft, moist cake texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a classic sweet flavor to the cake.
• Pink Food Coloring: Creates the signature pink velvet color of the cake.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Form the base of the creamy, rich frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps thicken the frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle flavor to the cream cheese frosting.

Pink Velvet Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 45-50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent pink velvet cake whispers romance with its delicate rose-tinted crumb and luxurious cream cheese frosting. Elegant layers promise a dreamy dessert experience that delights your senses and celebrates sweet moments of pure culinary bliss.

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Ingredients

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Cake Dry Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups (300 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cake Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) sour cream

Coloring:

• Pink food coloring

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and prepare three 8-inch round cake pans with grease and flour coating.
2. Combine dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
3. Using a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, incorporating eggs individually and ensuring complete integration after each addition. Introduce vanilla extract and mix well.
4. Gradually incorporate the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk and sour cream. Blend until ingredients are just combined, avoiding overmixing.
5. Introduce pink food coloring, stirring consistently to achieve a uniform rosy hue throughout the batter.
6. Distribute the batter equally among prepared cake pans, smoothing the surfaces to create level layers.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350F, checking doneness with a toothpick. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire cooling racks until completely temperature-neutral.
8. Prepare cream cheese frosting by blending butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually fold in powdered sugar and vanilla, whipping until achieving a light, creamy consistency.
9. Assemble the cake by positioning first layer on a serving plate, spreading frosting between each subsequent layer.
10. Complete the decoration by coating entire cake surface with remaining frosting, creating a polished and elegant presentation.

Notes

• Adjust food coloring carefully to achieve a soft, delicate pink hue without overpowering the cake’s natural flavor.
• Room temperature ingredients ensure smoother batter and more even cake texture, helping ingredients blend seamlessly.
• Avoid overmixing batter to prevent dense, tough cake layers; stop mixing once ingredients are just combined for a tender crumb.
• Consider dairy-free alternatives like almond milk and coconut cream for lactose-intolerant guests, maintaining the cake’s delicate structure and moistness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 414 kcal
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg