Purple velvet cake recipe is a vibrant and visually stunning dessert known for its deep purple color and moist, tender crumb.
This purple velvet cake recipe blends classic velvet cake elements like buttermilk, cocoa powder, and vinegar with purple food coloring to create a unique twist on the traditional red velvet.
Its deliciousness comes from the balance of subtle cocoa flavor, sweet cream cheese frosting, and the slight tang from the vinegar and buttermilk.
To make purple velvet cake, you mix dry ingredients, cream butter and sugar, add eggs and coloring, combine wet and dry ingredients, bake, cool, and frost with white chocolate cream cheese frosting.
Now, I will guide you through the purple velvet cake recipe step by step.
Why Peoples Like Purple Velvet Cake Recipe?
People love purple velvet cake recipe because it offers a unique twist on the classic velvet cake with its striking purple color that makes it visually exciting and perfect for special occasions.
Its moist, tender crumb combined with the subtle chocolate flavor and creamy white chocolate cream cheese frosting creates a delicious and memorable taste.
The purple velvet cake recipe eye-catching appearance and rich flavor make it a favorite for those looking to impress with something both beautiful and tasty.
How To Prepare Purple Velvet Cake Recipe?
Recipe Overview
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour
Course: Dessert / Cake
Cuisine: American-style
Calories: Approx. 400 per serving (varies by slice size)
Yield: 10 servings
Kitchen Utensils Needed
- Two 8-inch round cake pans
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- Whisk
- Cooling rack
- Saucepan (for melting chocolate)
- Offset spatula or knife for frosting
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (plus extra for greasing)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tablespoons purple gel food coloring
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
For the White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 6 ounces unsalted butter, softened
- 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces white chocolate
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Purple gel food coloring (optional, for tinting)
How To Make Purple Velvet Cake Recipe
For The Purple Velvet Cake
1. Lightly butter two 8-inch round cake pans, then dust with a little flour or line with parchment paper for easy removal. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. Using a mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
3. Blend in the purple gel food coloring and white vinegar until the batter turns a vibrant purple. Gradually add the flour mixture and buttermilk in alternating batches to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined avoid over mixing.
4. Evenly divide the batter between the prepared pans. Smooth the tops and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
5. Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Prepare Frosting:
1. Gently melt the white chocolate using a double boiler or microwave, stirring often to prevent burning. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy.
2. Slowly add the melted white chocolate and vanilla extract, continuing to mix until the frosting is well blended and fluffy.
3. If you want a hint of color, stir in a small drop of purple gel food coloring to tint the frosting. Place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread an even layer of frosting over it. Top with the second cake layer.
4. Use the remaining frosting to cover the entire cake, smoothing the top and sides evenly. Chill the assembled cake in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to let the frosting set before slicing and serving.
Tips For Best Results
➢ Use room temperature ingredients to ensure even mixing and a smooth batter.
➢ Sift dry ingredients to avoid lumps and help create a light texture.
➢ Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy to incorporate air for a tender crumb.
➢ Add food coloring gradually to reach the desired vibrant purple shade without affecting flavor.
➢ Avoid over mixing once you add the flour to keep the cake soft and moist.
➢ Let the cake layers cool completely before frosting to prevent melting or sliding.
Serving Ideas
Purple velvet cake recipe shines when served with a side of mixed fruit, such as sliced strawberries or blackberries, adding natural sweetness and balance.
A drizzle of berry coulis or a light dusting of powdered sugar enhances its elegance. For extra indulgence, serve with a scoop of lavender or coconut ice cream.
Garnishing with toasted almonds or shredded coconut gives a nice crunch. Enjoy this cake alongside a refreshing glass of lemonade or herbal tea for a perfect pairing.
Decorate ideas
For decorating your purple velvet cake recipe, consider adding fresh berries like blueberries or blackberries to complement the rich color.
Edible flowers in shades of purple or white can add an elegant touch. You can also sprinkle white chocolate shavings or purple sugar crystals on top for extra sparkle.
Using a piping bag, create swirls or rosettes with the cream cheese frosting to give the purple velvet cake recipe a polished, professional look.
Simple decorations like these make the purple velvet cake recipe visually stunning while keeping the focus on its beautiful purple hue.
Additions And Variations
Additions Purple Velvet Cake
➤ Fresh or Dried Fruits: Incorporate blueberries, blackberries, or even dried cranberries into the batter or as a garnish for an extra burst of flavor and texture.
➤ Nuts: Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds between the layers or on top of the frosting for a delightful crunch. Toast them lightly for enhanced aroma.
➤ Chocolate Chips: Fold in mini white or dark chocolate chips into the batter for sweet surprises in every bite.
➤ Citrus Zest: Add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the batter to brighten the flavor and complement the creamy frosting.
Flavor Variations
➤ Use Purple Velvet: Replace artificial food coloring with natural use (purple yam) extract or powder for an authentic Filipino-inspired purple velvet cake. This adds a subtle nutty sweetness.
➤ Coconut Velvet Cake: Add shredded coconut to the batter and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top of the frosting for a tropical flair.
➤ Lavender Infused: Mix in a teaspoon of culinary lavender into the batter or infuse the cream cheese frosting with lavender syrup for a delicate floral note.
➤ Vegan Purple Velvet Cake: Substitute eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg) and use plant-based milk and vegan butter in frosting to make a dairy-free version.
How To Store Leftovers
To keep your purple velvet cake recipe fresh, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This helps preserve the creamy texture of the frosting and prevents the cake from drying out.
Properly stored, the cake will stay moist and delicious for up to 4-5 days. Before serving, let it come to room temperature for the best flavor and softness.
If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze the cake layers (wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil) for up to 2 months just thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting and serving.
(FAQs) Purple Velvet CakeRecipe
What makes Purple Velvet Cake different from Red Velvet Cake?
Purple Velvet Cake uses purple food coloring (or natural purple ingredients like use) instead of red, giving it a vibrant purple hue while maintaining the classic moist, tender texture and mild cocoa flavor of red velvet.
Can I use natural food coloring instead of artificial gel?
Yes! Natural options like use powder, purple sweet potato puree, or blueberry juice concentrate work well, though the color might be less intense and the flavor slightly different.
How do I prevent my cake from drying out?
Avoid overbaking by checking with a toothpick near the end of baking time, and always cool the cake layers completely before frosting. Store leftovers in an airtight container to maintain moisture.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Just ensure it includes xanthan gum or add it separately for structure.
Conclusion
This purple velvet cake recipe is easy to follow and truly enjoyable to make. The vibrant color and rich flavor make it a delightful treat that everyone will love.
I hope you try baking purple velvet cake recipe soon and experience how delicious it is firsthand.
After you taste it, please let me know how much you enjoyed this moist, flavorful purple velvet cake recipe and the creamy frosting your feedback means a lot! Happy baking!
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Purple Velvet Cake Recipe
Equipment
- Two 8-inch round cake pans
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- Whisk
- Cooling rack
- Saucepan (for melting chocolate)
- Offset spatula or knife for frosting
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter softened (plus extra for greasing)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 cup buttermilk at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tablespoons purple gel food coloring
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
For the White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 6 ounces unsalted butter softened
- 12 ounces cream cheese softened
- 8 ounces white chocolate
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Purple gel food coloring optional, for tinting
Instructions
For The Purple Velvet Cake
- Lightly butter two 8-inch round cake pans, then dust with a little flour or line with parchment paper for easy removal. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Using a mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
- Blend in the purple gel food coloring and white vinegar until the batter turns a vibrant purple. Gradually add the flour mixture and buttermilk in alternating batches to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined avoid over mixing.
- Evenly divide the batter between the prepared pans. Smooth the tops and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Prepare Frosting:
- Gently melt the white chocolate using a double boiler or microwave, stirring often to prevent burning. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy.
- Slowly add the melted white chocolate and vanilla extract, continuing to mix until the frosting is well blended and fluffy.
- If you want a hint of color, stir in a small drop of purple gel food coloring to tint the frosting. Place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread an even layer of frosting over it. Top with the second cake layer.
- Use the remaining frosting to cover the entire cake, smoothing the top and sides evenly. Chill the assembled cake in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to let the frosting set before slicing and serving.