The Dreamiest Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Purple passion strikes when you blend vibrant colors with decadent flavors in this purple velvet cake.

Cocoa undertones create a rich, velvety backdrop for the stunning violet hue.

Cream cheese frosting adds luxurious smoothness that perfectly complements the tender crumb.

Unexpected and dramatic, this dessert becomes an instant conversation starter at any gathering.

Simple ingredients transform into a showstopping treat that delights both eyes and taste buds.

Baking enthusiasts will find joy in crafting this unique confection that promises pure culinary magic.

Let excitement guide you through each delightful step of creating this mesmerizing purple masterpiece.

Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe FAQs

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

Purple velvet cake uses purple food coloring instead of red, giving it a unique vibrant purple color while maintaining the classic velvet cake texture and flavor profile.

• Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?

Gel food coloring is recommended because it provides more intense color without adding extra liquid to the batter. Liquid food coloring might dilute the cake’s texture and require more to achieve the same color intensity.

• Why do I need to alternate adding flour and buttermilk when mixing?

Alternating ingredients helps prevent overmixing and creates a smoother, more consistent batter by gradually incorporating dry and wet ingredients, which ensures a tender and even cake texture.

Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

• Celebrate Uniqueness: Purple velvet cake offers a stunning twist on the classic red velvet, making it a head-turning dessert that sparks conversation at any gathering.
• Bake with Ease: This recipe requires basic baking skills and standard kitchen equipment, welcoming both novice and experienced bakers to create a show-stopping treat.
• Crowd-Pleasing Perfection: Cream cheese frosting combined with the soft, moist cake creates a universally loved dessert that appeals to all ages and taste preferences.
• Versatile Celebration Cake: Perfect for birthdays, bridal showers, or any special occasion where you want to add a touch of unexpected color and excitement to the dessert table.

Ingredients for Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

• All-Purpose Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure to the cake.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor and contributes to the cake's deep color.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Chemical leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Butter: Creates a rich, tender texture and adds moisture to the cake.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cake's caramelization.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add structure to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, classic flavor to the dessert.
• Buttermilk: Contributes to the cake's tenderness and adds a slight tanginess.

• Purple Gel Food Coloring: Creates the signature vibrant purple color of the cake.
• Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients: Adds a creamy, tangy topping to complement the cake's flavor.

How to Bake Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

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

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a separate large bowl, whip butter and sugar until they become light and airy. Add eggs one at a time, thoroughly mixing after each. Stir in vanilla extract for extra flavor.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly blend the flour mixture into the butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Start and end with the flour mixture. Mix gently until just combined.

Step 5: Add Purple Magic

Pour in purple gel food coloring and mix until you achieve a stunning deep purple shade throughout the batter.

Step 6: Fill Cake Pans

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula for an even surface.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place pans in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 8: Cool and Rest

Let cakes sit in pans for 10 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and allow to cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 9: Whip Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix until fluffy and spreadable.

Step 10: Frost and Decorate

Once cakes are completely cool, spread frosting between layers and over the entire cake. Decorate as desired.

Pro Tips for Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

• Pick Perfect Food Coloring: Use gel food coloring for vibrant purple without altering cake batter consistency, ensuring rich color and smooth texture.
• Prevent Color Bleeding: Sift cocoa powder thoroughly to avoid uneven color distribution and ensure a uniform purple hue throughout the cake.
• Beat Butter Strategically: Cream butter and sugar at room temperature for maximum fluffiness, creating a lighter, more tender cake crumb.
• Check Moisture Levels: Use buttermilk to keep cake moist and tender, enhancing the overall softness and preventing dry texture.
• Test Doneness Carefully: Insert toothpick at cake's center to verify complete baking, avoiding overbaking which can lead to dry, tough cake layers.

Variations for Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

• Berry Velvet Cake: Replace purple food coloring with mixed berry puree for natural color and fruity flavor.
• Gluten-Free Purple Velvet: Substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free blend for wheat-sensitive bakers.
• Vegan Purple Cake: Use coconut oil instead of butter, flax eggs for regular eggs, and dairy-free cream cheese alternative for frosting.
• Low-Sugar Purple Cake: Replace sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall calorie content while maintaining cake's rich texture.

Pairing Ideas for Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

• Complement Purple Velvet Cake's Rich Flavor: Pairing Suggestions
• Sip Lavender Earl Grey Tea: The floral notes of lavender and bergamote perfectly match the cake's purple hue and delicate sweetness, creating a harmonious flavor experience.
• Pour Sparkling Moscato Wine: This light, sweet white wine with subtle bubbles complements the cake's creamy texture and provides a refreshing contrast to the rich cream cheese frosting.
• Select Berry Sorbet Side: A scoop of mixed berry or blackberry sorbet adds a tart, fruity element that enhances the cake's vibrant purple color and balances its sweetness.
• Serve Fresh Blueberry Compote: A homemade blueberry sauce drizzled alongside the cake deepens the purple theme and adds a fresh, tangy dimension to each bite.

Storage Tips for Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

• Store cake covered in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and preserve cream cheese frosting's freshness.
• Wrap completely cooled cake in two layers of plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Cut cake into individual portions, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Thaw individual slices at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.
• Warm refrigerated cake slices briefly in microwave for 10-15 seconds. For frozen slices, let thaw completely before serving to maintain optimal texture and flavor.

Purple Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 45-50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Purple velvet cake with cream cheese frosting brings luxurious Southern charm to dessert tables with its regal color and velvety crumb. Silky cream cheese frosting crowns this elegant treat, promising rich flavor and sophisticated indulgence for passionate bakers.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 large eggs
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened

Flavor and Coloring Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Purple gel food coloring (as desired)

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Calibrate the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by coating with grease and flour.
2. Combine dry ingredients including flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt through a fine sieve, ensuring smooth and lump-free mixture.
3. Using an electric mixer, whip butter and sugar until airy and voluminous, incorporating eggs individually and blending thoroughly after each addition. Introduce vanilla extract for enhanced flavor profile.
4. Methodically integrate dry ingredient mixture with butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk, initiating and concluding with dry ingredients. Blend until ingredients are just incorporated, avoiding overmixing.
5. Introduce purple gel food coloring, stirring until cake batter achieves a consistent and vibrant lavender hue.
6. Distribute batter evenly between prepared cake pans, using a spatula to create uniform surface and eliminate air pockets.
7. Position pans in preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, verifying doneness by inserting a toothpick into cake center – it should emerge clean and without raw batter.
8. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to wire cooling racks, permitting complete temperature reduction before frosting.

Notes

• Achieve a vibrant purple hue by gradually adding gel food coloring, ensuring even distribution without overmixing the batter.
• Substitute buttermilk with a mixture of milk and vinegar if unavailable, creating a tangy and tender cake texture.
• For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the cake’s soft crumb.
• Cool cakes completely before frosting to prevent cream cheese frosting from melting and ensure a clean, professional-looking finish.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 325 kcal
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 230 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg