Purple Velvet Cake Recipe 💜

A vibrant, luxurious twist on the traditional red velvet classic

If you’re searching for a dessert that’s both visually show-stopping and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, let me introduce you to the Purple Velvet Cake. With its deep violet hue, soft crumb, and rich cream cheese frosting, this cake is a fabulous variation of the well-known red velvet, made for those who want something a little more whimsical and elegant.

Whether you’re baking for a birthday, wedding, baby shower, or just love the color purple, this cake is a surefire conversation piece—and a truly delicious one at that.

---

💜 Why Make a Purple Velvet Cake?

• Unique color: Perfect for themed parties, galaxy cakes, or simply when purple is your vibe.
• Tender, velvety texture: Thanks to the combination of buttermilk, oil, and a hint of cocoa.
• Cream cheese frosting: A tangy, fluffy classic that pairs beautifully with the lightly chocolatey cake layers.
• Easy to bake: No fancy ingredients or complicated methods required.

---

🎨 Color Note: How to Get That Perfect Purple

Traditional red velvet cake uses a mix of cocoa powder and red food coloring. To achieve a vibrant purple hue, this recipe uses both red and purple food coloring. Why both?

• Red coloring builds the base (especially if you’re using liquid purple).
• Purple coloring brings out the true violet tone and deepens the final color.

Pro Tip: Gel food coloring offers the most intense color with the least added liquid. If you’re using liquid coloring, you may need a bit more to reach your desired shade.

---

🧾 Purple Velvet Cake Recipe (Unchanged)

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Calories: 590 kcal per slice

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1½ cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon purple food coloring (or enough to achieve desired color)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 pound cream cheese, softened
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar

---

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
3. In a large bowl, gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, red & purple food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer.
4. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until smooth and fully combined.
5. Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Frosting:

8. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth.
9. Add sifted confectioners’ sugar and beat on low speed until incorporated.
10. Increase speed to high and beat until light and fluffy.
11. Once cakes are completely cool, frost generously between layers and around the entire cake.

---

👩‍🍳 Baking Tips

1. Use room temperature ingredients

They mix more evenly and help produce a uniform texture in both the batter and the frosting.

2. Don’t skip the vinegar

It reacts with the baking soda and buttermilk to tenderize the crumb, making it softer and lighter.

3. Level your cakes

If needed, trim the tops of the cakes with a serrated knife so they stack perfectly. This gives your finished cake a polished look.

4. Chill before slicing

After frosting, refrigerate the cake for 30–60 minutes to firm up the layers and make slicing neater.

---

🎂 When to Serve Purple Velvet Cake

• Birthday parties (especially for purple lovers!)
• Galaxy or space-themed events
• Baby showers or gender reveals (mix with blue and pink elements)
• Spring & Easter celebrations
• Bridal showers or weddings

Want to really impress? Decorate with edible flowers, purple sprinkles, or a dusting of edible glitter for a regal effect.

---

❄️ Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

• Fridge: Store covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
• Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cake layers wrapped tightly for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then frost.
• Make-ahead frosting: Cream cheese frosting keeps in the fridge up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature and rewhip before using.

---

💡 Variations

• Purple velvet cupcakes: Use the same batter to make 24 cupcakes. Bake at 350°F for 18–20 minutes.
• Lavender twist: Add ¼ tsp food-grade lavender extract to the batter or frosting for a floral note.
• Marble effect: Swirl in a bit of uncolored vanilla batter to create a marbleized purple look.

---

❤️ Final Thoughts

Purple Velvet Cake is a bold, beautiful dessert that transforms a beloved classic into something extra special. With its dreamy violet layers and smooth cream cheese frosting, it’s bound to become a favorite for anyone who dares to color outside the lines.

Whether you’re baking it for someone who adores purple or simply want to shake up your dessert routine, this recipe delivers unforgettable flavor and style.

Print