Looking for a showstopper dessert that’s as delicious as it is beautiful? This Purple Velvet Cake recipe is exactly what you need! With its rich, vibrant purple color and moist, tender texture, it’s sure to steal the spotlight on any occasion.
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Whether you’re baking for a birthday or a simple family gathering, this cake is quick and easy to make, no fancy ingredients required! If you enjoy baking cakes that are both easy and delicious, my Mandarin Orange Cake is your next must-try!
What exactly is a purple velvet cake recipe?
Well, it’s like the red velvet cake’s vibrant cousin, same soft, moist texture, but with a fun twist of purple! But why purple, you might wonder?
Maybe it’s because purple is the color of royalty, and this cake definitely deserves a crown! It’s the perfect mix of elegance and fun, and it’s guaranteed to stand out at any gathering. So, why not treat yourself to a slice of cake that’s as bold as it is delicious? Ready to try it?
Trust me, this cake will have everyone talking!
Why You’ll Love This Purple Velvet Cake Recipe
- Bold, Beautiful Color: The vibrant purple hue makes this cake a true showstopper! Whether you’re using natural ingredients like ube or a bit of food coloring, it’s sure to grab attention and brighten up any occasion.
- Cost-Effective & Simple: Why spend extra on a bakery cake when you can easily make this from scratch at home? With simple, affordable ingredients, you’ll get a premium dessert without the premium price tag.
- Fluffy, Moist Layers: The combination of buttermilk, butter, and a touch of vinegar makes each bite incredibly soft and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The purple cream cheese frosting adds a rich, tangy finish, taking the flavor to the next level!
How to Make Purple Velvet Cake Recipe
Preheat & Prep
First things first—preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper so the cakes pop right out without any trouble later on.
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set it aside for now, it’s all about getting everything prepped and ready!
Cream Butter and Sugar
Now, grab your electric mixer and beat that softened butter and sugar together until it’s light, fluffy, and creamy. You want that perfect texture for your cake, so give it about 3-4 minutes of mixing magic.
Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add your eggs one at a time, beating well after each one. Then, stir in the vanilla extract for that yummy flavor that makes everything better. It’s starting to smell delicious, right?
Add Buttermilk and Dry Ingredients
Now, slowly add the buttermilk to the butter-sugar mixture, alternating with the dry ingredients you prepared earlier. Start with the dry ingredients and end with them, so you get a smooth, creamy batter. It’ll come together beautifully!
Add the Purple Color
Time to make this cake pop with color! Mix in the purple food coloring (or if you’re feeling fancy, you can use ube or purple sweet potato puree). Keep mixing until the batter turns a gorgeous, vibrant purple. It’s going to look amazing!
Bake Your Purple Velvet Cake
Now, divide the batter evenly between the three prepared cake pans and pop them in the oven. Bake for approximately 30 minutes. Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
Make the Frosting
While the cakes are cooling, it’s frosting time! Beat together your softened butter and cream cheese until it’s smooth and creamy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar and keep beating until it’s fluffy.
Add purple food coloring (or some ube puree) and a splash of vanilla extract.
Assemble the Cake
Once the cakes are cool, place the first layer on your cake stand or plate. Spread a generous layer of that creamy frosting over it, then add the second layer. Frost it up again and repeat with the third layer. Don’t be shy with the frosting—cover the whole cake with it!
Serve & Enjoy!
Finally, slice up your gorgeous, purple masterpiece and serve it with a smile. This cake is soft, moist, and absolutely delicious. Enjoy every bite!
Top Tips for Perfecting Purple Velvet Cake Recipe
1. Use Room Temperature Ingredients
For the best results, make sure your butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature before starting.
Room temperature ingredients blend together more easily, creating a smoother batter and a lighter, fluffier cake.
2. Don’t Overmix the Batter
It’s tempting to mix until the batter is perfectly smooth, and you want to prevent a dense cake, right?
So, once your ingredients are combined, stop mixing. This helps create that light, airy texture that makes your cake melt in your mouth.
3. Make It Naturally Purple
While purple food coloring is the most common option, you can get a natural, gorgeous purple hue by adding or ube extract.
These ingredients not only give a vibrant color but also add a slight sweetness and depth of flavor to the cake. Just be sure to adjust the sugar levels if you’re using these natural options!
4. Adjust Baking Time for Different Oven Types
Ovens can vary in temperature, so keep an eye on your cake as it bakes.
If you’re using a convection oven, it may bake faster, so check your cake around the 25-minute mark. A toothpick should come out clean when inserted in the center, if not, let it bake for another 3 minutes and check again.
5. Cool Cakes Completely Before Frosting
This is a key step! Make sure your cakes are fully cooled before frosting. If you frost a warm cake, the frosting will melt, making a mess and potentially affecting the texture of your layers.
Patience is key here, you want a nice, firm cake to hold up that dreamy frosting!
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How To Store This Recipe
Storing in the Refrigerator
If you have leftover Purple Velvet Cake, store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap.
Since this cake has a cream cheese frosting, it’s important to refrigerate it to keep the frosting from spoiling. When properly stored, your cake will stay fresh in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Freezing for Long-Term Storage
Want to save some cake for later? You can freeze your Purple Velvet Cake Recipe! Before proceeding, ensure the cake has fully cooled. Wrap each layer in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe airtight container.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a Purple Velvet Cake Recipe without food coloring?
Absolutely! If you prefer a more natural approach, you can make your cake without artificial food coloring by using purple sweet potato puree or ube extract.
What can I serve alongside the Purple Velvet Cake Recipe
This cake pairs wonderfully with a side of fresh berries like u003cstrongu003eraspberriesu003c/strongu003e or u003cstrongu003eblueberriesu003c/strongu003e, which not only add a pop of color but also balance out the cake’s richness. If you want to take it to the next level, try serving it with a scoop of u003cstrongu003evanilla ice creamu003c/strongu003e or a dollop of u003cstrongu003ewhipped creamu003c/strongu003e to create a deliciously indulgent dessert experience.
Is it okay to make this Recipe with a different frosting flavor?
Absolutely! While the cream cheese frosting is traditional and pairs perfectly with the Purple Velvet Cake Recipe, feel free to experiment with other flavors. A smooth buttercream frosting with a hint of almond or vanilla would be a great alternative.
Perfect Purple Velvet Cake Recipe
Ingredients
For the Purple Velvet Cake (3 Layers):
- 2 ½ cups 315g all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup 230g unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups 400g granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup 240ml buttermilk, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon purple food coloring or natural purple ingredient like ube or purple sweet potato puree
- ½ cup 120ml hot water (for a smoother texture)
For the Purple Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 ½ cups 340g unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz 227g cream cheese, softened
- 3 ½ cups 420g powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon purple food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper.
- Thoroughly whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Beat that softened butter and sugar together until it's light with your electric mixer. You want that perfect texture for your cake, so give it about 3-4 minutes of mixing.
- Add your eggs one at a time, beating well after each one. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.
- Now, slowly add the buttermilk to the butter-sugar mixture, alternating with the dry ingredients you prepared earlier. Start with the dry ingredients and end with them, so you get a smooth, creamy batter.
- Mix in the purple food coloring . Keep mixing until the batter turns a gorgeous, vibrant purple.Â
- Now, divide the batter evenly between the three prepared cake pans and pop them in the oven. Bake for approximately 30 minutes. Let the cakes cool (Important).
- Beat together your softened butter and cream cheese until it’s smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and keep beating until it’s fluffy. Add purple food coloring and a splash of vanilla extract.
- Once the cakes are cool, place the first layer on your cake stand or plate. Spread a generous layer of that creamy frosting over it, then add the second layer. Frost it up again and repeat with the third layer. Enjoy!
Notes
- It’s tempting to mix until the batter is perfectly smooth, but overmixing can lead to a denser cake. So, be gentle.
- Make sure your cakes are fully cooled before frosting.
- Room temperature ingredients blend together more easily, creating a smoother batter and a lighter, fluffier cake.
